Lizzie McGuire

TV Kids Weekly, November 25, 2008

NAME: Lizzie McGuire

ORIGIN: A Disney Channel original series that aired on the Disney Channel for the first time in January 2001. Production of the 65 episodes was completed in 2002.

DISTRIBUTOR: Dutch outfit Telescreen represents all media rights for Lizzie McGuire worldwide, excluding North America.

CREATOR: Terri Minsky

TV SHOW: The 65×30-minute series, targeted at girls aged 8 to 14, combines live action and animation.

DESCRIPTION: The show stars teen sensation Hilary Duff, and she really puts the "miss" in all hilarious mishaps. The series serves up the comic foibles of Lizzie McGuire, trying to survive seventh grade with her dignity—and a little popularity—intact. Lizzie’s two best friends-for-life, spitfire Miranda (Lalaine) and a smart kid who dances to the beat of his own drummer Gordo (Adam Lamberg), provide her with companionship, advice, and stick by her no matter what. Intermittently, an animated version of Lizzie pops up, giving commentary for her real-life gal pal’s conversations, confrontations and crushes.

TV SALES: Episodes of Lizzie McGuire are on air now in more than 107 territories and are popular with teens all over the world. In Europe, TV contracts have been renewed with several broadcasters, such as Antenna 3 in Spain, Mediaset in Italy, France 2 in France and NCRV in the Netherlands. Lizzie‘s first and third seasons are broadcast in Holland on the public channel Ned 3 (by NCRV) in the popular kids block Z@pp.

Home Entertainment rights have been sold via Telescreen to distribution partners in various territories, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Tunisia.

MAJOR TOY LICENSEE: Telescreen represents all merchandising worldwide (excluding North America and Nordics) based on the series, excluding publishing, which is held by Disney.

OTHER PRODUCTS: Lizzie‘s merchandising program is focused on beauty, apparel, paper products, accessories and promotions and has expanded globally with great success.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: "With the enormous TV exposure to date, together with the number of solid home entertainment distributors, Lizzie will remain established as a lasting brand for many years to come," says Sjoerd Raemakers, the director of commercial affairs at Telescreen. "We will continue to have Lizzie connected to teenagers over the whole world."