YFE Pacts with New Owners of BKN Catalogue

MUNICH: Your Family Entertainment has entered into a distribution relationship covering 24 European countries with Emba Media Management International (EMMI), the Cyprus-based firm that acquired the rights to the BKN International catalogue of animated programming.

BKN filed for insolvency in 2009, with Commerzbank M&A appointed to handle the sale of the library. EMMI will be using its U.K.-based operation, Emba Media Associates Limited, to exploit the rights to the slate, which covers some 868 half-hours across 27 titles, appointing distribution agents worldwide.

YFE will represent the portfolio exclusively in 24 countries in Europe. “It is a real pleasure to bring this high quality library back to the marketplace," said Stefan Piëch, CEO of YFE. “With Chris Demetriou we have found a reliable, experienced partner. EMMI’s content has an evergreen appeal for our broad client base. These programs are getting excellent ratings. UBOS and Pocket Dragons, for example, are well known to the viewers of our award winning pay TV channel “yourfamily” in German speaking Europe."

Demetriou, director and owner of EMMI, added, “We are pleased to be associated with YFE, a recognized leader in managing children’s media properties. Stefan Piëch and his dynamic and experienced team make YFE the ideal partner to manage the world’s fourth largest children’s animation library across Europe. I consider YFE a major strategic partner that has the tools to fully exploit our programs using fresh and innovative ideas.”