MUMBAI: Canada‘s Nelvana Enterprises, a producer of children‘s animated content owned by Corus Entertainment and China‘s Ciwen Media Group have entered into a content acquisition and representation deal for China.

Nelvana has granted Ciwen distribution representation rights to over 1,000 half-hours of animated and live-action Nelvana programming, which includes titles such as Franklin, Babar, Rolie Polie Olie, Mr. Young and The Detentionaire, as well as exclusive merchandise representation rights for Franklin and non-exclusive rights for Ruby Gloom, 6teen and Grossology. The deal covers the territories of Mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.

Beijing-based media research and consulting firm CMM-I MD Anke Redl said, "In terms of the number of episodes, the number of properties involved and the breadth of rights and distribution channels granted to Ciwen, this deal is certainly significant and likely one of the largest kids media deals for Western properties ever to be concluded in China".

Ciwen will work to place the shows with free TV, cable and satellite broadcasters after dubbing them into Mandarin or other regional languages. Where broadcasters aren‘t available, it will focus on the burgeoning VOD and Internet television market in China. In addition, Ciwen plans to release as many titles as possible on DVD.

On the merchandising side, Ciwen will undertake a comprehensive brand-building and licensing program across an array of categories that will include toys, apparel and accessories, and channels, including digital media, traditional and digital publishing, and themed entertainment.

Nelvana has a long and successful history of having its shows broadcast around the globe with sales in more than 160 countries in over 50 languages and a library that features over 4,000 half-hour episodes. Nelvana has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys and Geminis.

Nelvana MD Colin Bohm said, "We are very excited to be partnering with Ciwen to bring our Nelvana properties to China. There are timeless themes in our shows that connect our audiences regardless of where they may live; and we are confident that our compelling stories and characters will translate well to the children of China and their families. We think our agreement with Ciwen presents a tremendous opportunity for us to bring our great content to China across multiple platforms and channels."

Ciwen Media Group president Ma Zhong-jun said, "Ciwen Media Group intends to take the lead in China for introducing classic animation properties to Chinese kids and their families. Our approach is to take world-class programs and characters and construct a comprehensive plan for their distribution across China through the traditional channels such as broadcast, DVDs, print publishing, toys, apparel and accessories, but also through emerging digital platforms such as Internet TV, VOD, e-publishing and content for mobile devices and tablets."