Studio100 Buys Out Maya the Bee

MUNICH: Studio100 Media has signed an agreement with Waldemar Bonsels Foundation to buy out the classic property Maya the Bee.

Studio100 already holds all exploitation rights, including TV, video, VOD and merchandising, to the existing animated series—104 episodes produced in 1975—and to the 1977 animated feature film. The buy-out agreement provides Studio100 with all filming, development and exploitation rights for an unlimited number of new series, films, remakes, stage show and theme-park rights to the character of Maya the Bee and the books written by Waldermar Bonsels. The Bonsels Foundation retains the publishing rights to the original books.

Ralf Kirberg, the chairman of the board of the Waldemar Bonsels Foundation, commented, “We wish Studio100 Media every success in bringing together three decades of Maya the Bee and continuing its popularity in future series and productions. With their expertise we believe that Studio100 Media will maintain the life work of Waldemar Bonsels and Maya and this popular and well-loved character will continue to thrill generations to come”.

Patrick Elmendorff, the managing director of Studio100 Media, added, “To acquire a cult classic character such as Maya the Bee is a huge achievement for Studio100 Media and we are delighted to have secured this buy-out agreement with Waldemar Bonsels Foundation. Maya the Bee has a huge fan base and to obtain such a popular character we can continue to accomplish the full potential of Germany’s best-known bee nationally and internationally.”