CCTV & NHNZ Plan More Co-Pros

AUCKLAND: NHNZ and CCTV have announced three new co-productions under their long-term partnership, including the three-part How the Silk Road Changed the World.

The new Sino-NZ co-pros were unveiled at a ceremony with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay. Among them, ZooMoo Animal Friends is entering its second season for the Chinese market. Co-produced by NHNZ and CCTV Kids, the first season premiered to a record 252 million viewers in March.

Panda and Kiwi sees NHNZ enter its first co-production with CCTV Animation. The series follows Kiwi and Panda, iconic animals from New Zealand and China, as they embark on a mission to protect endangered species of the world.

The 3×1-hour How the Silk Road Changed the World is a TV epic about how an ancient trade route created the modern world. The series will be co-produced by NHNZ and CCTV10.

NHNZ’s managing director, Kyle Murdoch, commented, “While NHNZ has a long, decorated record producing content in China for local and global audiences, the new co-production agreement between China and New Zealand has accelerated development in this market. Growth in China has been a key focus for NHNZ and we are thrilled to have multiple China co-production agreements in place.”

NHNZ Chief David Haslingden added, “NHNZ has had proven success with documentary programming, and while I’m pleased that those relationships continue, the Sino-NZ Co-Production Agreement has given us a great opportunity to tap into China’s booming animation market. I’m really excited about the success of CCTV Animation co-production ZooMoo Animal Friends and the potential for our upcoming co-production Panda and Kiwi.”