12th Nov 2009 08:39
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For Immediate Release |
12 November 2009 |
DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE")
and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment ( SPHE)
sign a mega Home Video Distribution Deal
DQE, the Global animation, gaming and entertainment production and distribution group is pleased to announce the signing of an exclusive licensing deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, for Home Video distribution of 3 animated properties owned by its group company, DQ Entertainment (International) Limited. This deal includes globally successful Twisted Whiskers and two Indian TV features of 70' each, namely Balkand and Ravan. SPHE has acquired the rights for Home Video distribution of these 3 properties for South Asia.
DQE has co-produced Twisted Whiskers, an iconic brand of American Greetings, acquiring backend rights as well as some specific International distribution and licensing rights in DQE exclusive territories. DQE's own home productions Balkand and Ravan received a good response from audiences on POGO channel of Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.
Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman and CEO of DQE, said:
"Following the international success of a large number of our co-produced properties, DQE's foray into the Indian market has been successful with the airing on Balkand and Ravan on Pogo channel of TENA. It is with great pleasure that we now target the international home video distribution market through our global partners SPHE. We believe Balkand, Ravan and Twisted Whiskers - which is airing on Disney channel in India, will be hugely popular with viewers."
Keith Ribeiro Country Manager SPHE India said,
This deal will strengthen our product portfolio and help us to connect with younger audiences across South Asia. DQE has a proven track record the world over, in bringing cutting edge technology to the art of animation. We at Sony are extremely excited at the prospect of making their high quality programming available to millions of homes across the region.
Ravan and Balkand will bring time tested stories to life in a manner not seen by audiences in this part of the world and the high TV ratings they garnered are a testimony to the superb production values imbibed in the presentation.
Twisted Whiskers is an iconic property which has never been released on DVD in this region. Consumers will now have a real opportunity to create and own a collection of their favorite characters from this truly endearing TV series.
Media Contact:
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DQ Entertainment PLC Sumedha Saraogi +91 40 2355 3726/27 or |
Buchanan Communication Mark Edwards/ Jeremy Garcia / Miranda Higham Tel: +44 20 7466 5000 |
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Religare Hichens Harrison plc Vineeta Manchanda Tel: +44 20 7444 0500 |
Blomfield Corporate Finance Limited A 100% subsidiary of Religare Hichens Harrison Plc Alan MacKenzie Peter Trevelyan-Clark Derek Crowhurst Tel: +44 20 7444 0800 |
Description
Twisted Whiskers:
Twisted Whiskers is a never-seen-before take on whiskered animals as they unleash their twisted side in extremely hilarious situations. With stories that are simple, yet extremely funny, the show features a fresh new animation style.
Every episode of the show will feature zany cats and dogs interacting in typical pet situations that will become "twisted" as the animals get into funny and unexpected (mis) adventures. Each animal will have very distinct and recognizable personality, and will be seen in an unlimited variety of themes, places and situations. The off-kilter look and attitude of the characters gives them strong cross-generational and cross-cultural appeal with everyone - kids, tweens, teens and adults. This is a spin-off of one of the greatest selling greetings card characters of American Greetings and co-produced with them and seen on Channels like Disney.
Ravan:
Ravan is based on the amazing story of Ravan- The Demon King. The feature is a depiction of Ravan's amazingly funny and invigorating childhood with his siblings and unmanageable supernatural powers. Ravan shares a very special and strong relationship with his siblings. It portrays the funny and dramatic display of Ravan, his siblings and their powers. Ravan's aggression to defeat his long time rival brother Kuber makes him do intense penance to Lord Brahma for several years and the 'Creator', pleased with his austerity, granted him and his brothers a boon each. Ravan who returns home then goes to claim the city of Lanka - the city of gold, from his step brother Kuber, and becomes the most powerful Daitya King ever.
Balkand:
Balkand revolves around several of the inspiring and educating anecdotes from the childhood of Lord Rama, who is revered for his unending compassion and courage. It is the story of Rama and his young brothers and their journey from the princely palace of Ayodhya to the Gurukul of Rishi Vashisht.
The action-packed high-end movie includes the act of Rama's slaying of the demoness Tataka of the forest, also slaying of the demon Subahu and his hordes.
Rama's younger brothers, namely Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharata strongly complement his piety, virtue and strength. The movie based on the childhood of Lord Rama and his brother extols the virtue and the courage of young brothers who grew up to become two of the world's greatest warriors.
About DQE
DQE is a leading animation, gaming and entertainment production and global distribution group engaged in production, co-production and original IP development with a workforce of 2,788 (3,500+ including freelancers and trainees) and a global client-partner base of over 90 producers, distributors, broadcasters and licensors including Walt Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel Comics, American Greetings, NBC-Universal, BBC Group, M6/ France TV/ TF-1 Broadcasting groups from France, ZDF Germany and many more world-wide.
DQE has produced/co-produced and distributed brands such as Iron Man - the first 3D animated TV series, Twisted Whiskers, Mikido, Casper, Pinky & Perky, second season of Large Family, third season of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and is now producing properties like Little Prince and Little Nicolas. DQE has a library of over 350 hours of international programs for distribution.
DQE is also developing and producing 'The Jungle Book', the 100% home grown global production as a 52 episode animated series and a 60 minute TV feature. The other major co-production partners are ZDF Enterprises and ZDF Broadcasting - Germany, TF1 Group, France and Moonscoop, France. DQE is also developing and producing Lassie which will be a 26 x 22 minute CGI animated series, Toomai-The Elephant Boy which is a live action TV series as well as Indian IPs which are on production like Mysteries of Feluda and Omkar.
DQE's production facilities are based in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kolkata and DQE has international sales representatives in Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo.
About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment ("SPE") company. SPE is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.
Note :
DQ Entertainment (International) Limited, a wholly owned Indian subsidiary of DQE, is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, an initial public offer of its equity shares in India and has filed a draft red herring prospectus ("DRHP") with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI"). The DRHP is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and on the website of the book running lead manager at www.sbicaps.com.
This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any equity shares, nor shall it or any part of it nor the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or investment decision. Any potential investor should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk. For further details, potential investors should refer to the DRHP, which has been filed with SEBI including the section titled "Risk Factors". This press release has been prepared for publication in India and the UK and may not be published or distributed in the United States of America and is not an offer or solicitation of an offer for sale of securities in the United States. The equity shares of DQE and DQ Entertainment (International) Limited have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer of securities or sale in any jurisdiction, including the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1993.
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