Pat&Stan Gets British Pickups

MUNICH/LONDON, October 9: TV-Loonland has licensed its
multi-formatted animated property Pat&Stan to U.K. children’s channel CITV, along with ITV1 taking on a selection
of shorts.

CITV acquired U.K. broadcast and online rights for the whole
set of formats—350 shorts, a half-hour Treasure Hunt special and brand-new 39×7-minute series set for
deliver in spring 2009. The shorts will premiere on CITV’s website prior to
their TV launch, scheduled for Christmas.

The CGI-animated Pat&Stan, which has already sold into more than 80 territories, is a
co-production between MacGuff, TF1 in France and TV-Loonland. The series
follows the adventures of twosome who love to play practical jokes on each
other.

Emma Tennant, the controller of
CITV, commented: “I am thrilled to welcome Pat and Stan to the CITV channel.
Producers MacGuff and TF1 have done a great job in creating a comedy duo that
will really resonate with the CITV audience. Already a hit on YouTube and a
host of other countries I am sure this delightfully funny and highly infectious
double act has all the ingredients needed to become a landmark series on CITV.”

Justine Bannister, the head of distribution and acquisitions
at TV-Loonland, added: “CITV is a key International broadcaster of kids
programming so we are absolutely thrilled that they have come onboard and
delighted to be involved with their integrated strategy both ‘on air’ and
‘online’. It is inspiring to see how fully committed they are to nurturing the
show to give it the best possible exposure. This will be essential when
expanding the brand across other media in the U.K. and have a more than
positive impact on the widespread licensing program beginning in the first half
of next year. We are really proud to note that an ever-growing list of
broadcasters are recognizing the numerous cross-platform possibilities and huge
commercial potential of this hilarious property.”

—By Kristin Brzoznowski