French animation studio Xilam Animation has secured a number of new distribution and multi-platform broadcast deals in China, India and Thailand spanning its portfolio of kids’ properties.
Following its acquisition of the first season of comedy Zig & Sharko, currently available on iQIYI, Chinese distributor Jetsen Huashi TV has picked up the digital rights to the show’s second season. Jetsen Huashi TV has also acquired two seasons of A Kind of Magic, Xilam’s animation based on character designs by illustrator Arthur de Pins. In a further deal for the Chinese market, local kids’ entertainment company, UYoung, that holds the exclusive local distribution rights to Xilam’s first preschool series Paprika and wildlife documentary series If I Were an Animal, has secured a deal with iQIYI for both series.
In India, Xilam is building on its existing partnership with Nickelodeon as the channel has acquired the third season of Zig & Sharko in addition to renewing the show’s first two seasons. Xilam’s flagship property, Oggy and the Cockroaches is one of only two international series to be ranked in the top ten shows for kids aged 2-14 years.
In Thailand, Xilam has inked a package deal with leading cable satellite TV provider, True Visions, which will see Paprika air on True Spark Play channel and its kids’ series Floopaloo, The Daltons and A New Kind of Magic on True Spark Jump!.
Commenting on the deals, Céline Carenco, SVP media distribution, Asia-Pacific, Northern & Eastern Europe at Xilam Animation said: “At Xilam we’re in a very fortunate position to have a wealth of shows with strong universal appeal, thanks to the humour, fantastic characters and engaging storylines that runs through them all. The Asian market is of increasing importance to our business and we’re thrilled be building on our existing success by introducing even more of our content to young fans and families, across both linear and streaming platforms.”