RTÉ Signs On as Lead Broadcaster for WildWoods

As filming begins in Ireland on WildWoods, RTÉ has come on board as lead broadcaster for the new live-action children’s comedy series from Sixteen South.

WildWoods is being filmed in forest locations across Ireland, with an aim to encourage kids to connect with the great outdoors. The 26×11-minute puppet series follows the outdoor adventures of Cooper, a Sasquatch, and Poppy, a sugar glider. ABC Kids in Australia also picked up the preschool series.

Colin Williams, the creative director at Sixteen South, said, “We are thrilled to have RTÉ on board as lead broadcaster for WildWoods. It’s a very special comedy series that’s been almost eight years in the making and features two funny new characters that we hope will encourage children to disconnect from the digital device and reconnect with nature—and the only place to film a show like that is completely outdoors.”

Richard Williams, the CEO of Northern Ireland Screen, which is funding the production, commented, “Sixteen South is one of the great success stories of the Northern Ireland screen industry and continually produces quality work. We are delighted that RTÉ have acquired WildWoods and are excited to see how this ambitious project turns out.”

Pauline MacNamara, executive producer for animation and independent commissioning for YPP at RTÉ, added, “WildWoods promises to be a luscious comedy treat for RTÉjr viewers. It’s a winning combination: the classic odd couple, Cooper and Poppy, and the spectacular wild landscapes of Ireland. We’re very pleased to be part of this grand-scale puppet project with Sixteen South.”

WDR mediagroup is handling worldwide distribution.