UK's CBeebies Picks Up The Rights To The New Brand Animated Preschool Series "Bing Bunny"; To Be Executive Produced By Howard Litton, Former Nickelodeon UK MD And Senior VP Of Nickelodeon UK

From C21Media:

Bing Bunny bounces on to CBeebies

CBeebies in the UK has picked up Bing Bunny, a new preschool series based on the popular children's books by author and illustrator Ted Dewan.

Bing Bunny
The 78x7’ animated series is being made by UK indie Acamar Films, a firm set up by former BBC exec Mikael Shields and Phillip Bergkvist and which hired former Nickelodeon UK chief Howard Litton a couple of years ago.

Acamar has been working on Bing Bunny with Dewan for several years. The property already comprises a number of books and a child-friendly online destination called Bingbunny.com, which is still in beta.

The franchise is now due a major push, however, after HarperCollins picked up publishing rights, promising a “groundbreaking transmedia” launch shortly, and The Licensing Company onboard to handle merchandising.

The TV series doesn’t yet have an airdate but CBeebies is the first among a string of broadcasters Acamar hopes to announce in the coming weeks and months.

Industry veteran Shields will produce the show while Lucy Murphy – an exec with credits at King Rollo, Novel Entertainment and Aardman – is associate producer. Litton is exec producing.

Shields said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with CBeebies and, after a lengthy development, just delighted that the show is going to be made and broadcast to children worldwide.”

Bing Bunny celebrates the realities, learning and adventure of being a preschool child.

According to the producers, each episode of the show will offer a “‘micro-drama” that explores what life is really like for preschoolers and the grown-ups in their lives – from taking a bath to making a smoothie.”

Jonathan Webdale
08-11-2012
©C21Media

GENRES: Children’s
SHOWS: Bing Bunny
PEOPLE: Howard Litton, Lucy Murphy, Mikael Shields, Phillip Bergkvist, Ted Dewan
COMPANIES: Acamar Films, CBeebies, HarperCollins, The Licensing Company
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: UK

Also, from TBI Vision:

Howard Litton exec-producing new Bing Bunny kids show

UK kids channel CBeebies has ordered a series based on Ted Dewan’s Bing Bunny book.

The 78x7mins Bing Bunny preschool show will be made by UK indie Acamar Films and executive produced by ex Nickelodeon UK boss Howard Litton.

Acamar has signed up TLC as its L&M partner and a deal has been inked with Harper Collins to publish classic Bing Bunny stories in conjunction with the launch of the series on the BBC operated kids channel.

Acamar’s cofounder Mikael Shields will produce the show and Litton will be the exec producer.

The producers say that each 7-minute episode of their show will be a ‘micro-drama’, which explores what life is really like for preschoolers and the grown-ups in their lives.

Kay Benbow, controller of CBeebies adds: “We can’t wait to welcome Bing Bunny to CBeebies. The stories reflect the real lives of our very youngest audience members and their parents and caregivers – it is animated reality TV for toddlers, but done with such care, authenticity, warmth and charm – it is simply captivating.”

Also, from Televisual:

Acamar launches Bing Bunny on CBeebies

Acamar Films has acquired the rights to award-winning author and illustrator Ted Dewan’s pre-school book Bing Bunny and is creating a new 78 x 7’ animated series, to be broadcast in the UK on CBeebies.

UK-based Acamar is also creating a publishing, licensing and merchandising campaign around the broadcast launch, with several partners already on board. A multi-territory representation agreement has been signed with The Licensing Company to develop a long term programme with partners around the world.

In the first of those partnerships, HarperCollins will publish Ted Dewan's Bing Bunny stories in a multi-format TV tie-in.

Acamar’s co-founder Mikael Shields will produce the show, Lucy Murphy, who has held key roles at King Rollo, EVA Entertainment and Novel Entertainment, is associate producer and the former md of Nickelodeon UK Howard Litton is an executive producer.

Bing Bunny dramatises real-life experiences of a pre-school child. The series stars Bing Bunny and his learned, ageless carer and best friend Flop, along with a cast of friends and family.

Kay Benbow, controller of CBeebies said: “The stories reflect the real lives of our very youngest audience members and their parents and caregivers – it is animated reality TV for toddlers, but done with such care, authenticity, warmth and charm – it is simply captivating.”

Ann-Janine Murtage, publisher at HarperCollins Children's Books says: "We have a fabulous history of building character brands here at HarperCollins, with a star studded line-up that includes Paddington, The Tiger that Came to Tea and The Cat in the Hat….. Our vision is to build the heritage brands of the future and this acquisition represents a benchmark moment in our strategic growth plans for our children's list. We truly believe Bing Bunny has game changing potential in the pre-school market and a unique, evergreen brand quality."

Also, from Licensing.biz:

CBeebies picks up Bing Bunny

Acamar Films creates animated TV series based on popular pre-school book property.

Brand new kids' TV show Bing Bunny will air on CBeebies in the UK.

The animated series - based on Ted Dewan's popular pre-school property - will consist of 78 seven-minute episodes.

The show has been created by UK-based independent Acamar Films, which is also running a publishing, licensing and merchandising campaign around Bing Bunny. It has appointed The Licensing Company (TLC) to develop the long-term licensing program.

A deal has already been struck with publisher HarperCollins, which will announce its plans for Bing Bunny shortly.

Bing Bunny (pictured, right) 'celebrates the realities, learning and adventure of being a pre-school child'. Bing Bunny dramatises real-life experiences, and celebrates mishaps, mess, energy and wonder with his saying, "It's A Bing Thing!"

Bing also teams up with his best friend - a character called Flop (pictured [above], left).

Industry veteran and kids’ specialist Mikael Shields will produce the show, while Lucy Murphy, who has held key roles at King Rollo, EVA Entertainment and Novel Entertainment, is Associate Producer. And former MD of Nickelodeon UK, Howard Litton, is an Executive Producer for Bing Bunny.

Acamar Films co-founder Mikael Shields said: “It’s a privilege to work on Bing Bunny - to take Ted Dewan’s incredible books and to adapt them for the small screen has become rather personal for each member of our team.”

Kay Benbow, Controller of CBeebies added: “We can’t wait to welcome Bing Bunny to CBeebies. The stories reflect the real lives of our very youngest audience members and their parents and caregivers – it is animated reality TV for toddlers, but done with such care, authenticity, warmth and charm – it is simply captivating.”

Bing Bunny creator Ted Dewan commented: “When a pre-school kid feels like they’re seeing themselves in their own life, and a parent sees their own kid in Bing– that’s when they completely fall in love with him.”

Ann-Janine Murtage, Publisher at HarperCollins Children's Books, said: "We have a fabulous history of building character brands here at HarperCollins, with a star studded line-up that includes Paddington, The Tiger that Came to Tea and The Cat in the Hat.

"We are delighted to welcome Bing Bunny to our list and add him to that stellar cast of literary stars."

Tags: acamar films, bing bunny, cbeebies, harper collins

Also, from Kidscreen:

Acamar Films acquires rights to Bing Bunny, CBeebies on board

UK-based Acamar Films has acquired the rights to author/illustrator Ted Dewan’s hit preschool book IP Bing Bunny, and a TV deal has already been secured with CBeebies UK.

In addition, a robust publishing, licensing and merchandising program is planned. Acamar’s new multi-territory representation deal with The Licensing Company has brought HarperCollins on board as a partner in a global deal to publish classic Bing Bunny stories and launch a transmedia tie-in program.

The new 78 x seven-minute animated series explores what it’s like to be a preschooler and a grownup through the eyes of Bing Bunny, his best friend Flop and other friends and family.

Acamar’s co-founder Mikael Shields will produce the series with Lucy Murphy taking associate producer duties and former MD of Nickelodeon UK Howard Litton as executive producer.

Tags: Acamar Films, Bing Bunny, HarperCollins, Mikael Shields, Ted Dewan, The Licensing Company