Nelvana Acquires Chorion's Interest In The Animated Preschool Property "Max & Ruby"

From 4-traders:

NELVANA ACQUIRES CHORION'S INTEREST IN MAX & RUBY

(Toronto, Canada) - Nelvana Limited announced today that is has acquired Chorion's Silver Lining Production Limited's interest in the preschool property Max & Ruby. Nelvana now has the complete worldwide TV production and merchandise licensing rights to the brand.

Max & Ruby continues to be one of the most popular book series and animated TV programs for preschoolers. Over three million Max & Ruby books from internationally acclaimed author and illustrator Rosemary Wells have been sold to date. It's a top-rated TV series in the U.S. on Nickelodeon and in Canada on Treehouse, and new episodes are in production. Max & Ruby DVDs from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment have sold over 2.9 million units in the U.S. alone, and KOBA Entertainment recently completed a successful North American tour of the Max & Ruby live show.

Max & Ruby follow's the adventures of bunny siblings, the irrepressible and mischievous Max and his older sister, Ruby. In each story Max wants one thing, Ruby wants another thing, and even though they love each other, they have very different ideas on just about everything. The property celebrates the universal nature of sibling relationships.

"Max & Ruby has always held a special place in the hearts and minds of its fans, as well as for all of us here at Nelvana," said Colin Bohm, Managing Director, Nelvana Enterprises. "We have been involved with the property for many years and are delighted to have been entrusted with overseeing the totality of the brand going forward and all of the possibilities that presents."

"Max & Ruby is a very successful television series on Nickelodeon in the U.S., based on a wonderful set of books written by Rosemary Wells," said Mary Durkan, Managing Director, Chorion. "It makes perfect sense to sell our rights in Max & Ruby to Nelvana who already have a significant rights position in this property."

About Nelvana Limited

Nelvana Limited is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Chorion

Chorion has sold the majority of its assets. Chorion has recently completed a number of transactions including the sale of its shareholding in Agatha Christie Limited to Acorn Media Inc, Noddy and Olivia to Classic Media, Enid Blyton to Hachette UK and now Max & Ruby to Nelvana Limited. The only properties left to sell are Gaspard & Lisa and Georges Simenon. D C Advisory Partners are advising the Company.