26th Nov 2009 07:00
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Immediate Release |
26 November 2009 |
DQ Entertainment PLC
("DQE")
Signs consecutive deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE)
DQE, the Animation, Gaming and Entertainment production and distribution company, which recently filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with The Securities and Exchange Board of India for approval for an Initial Public Offer and subsequent listing in India, is pleased to announce a confirmation from SPHE for Home Video distribution deal for another 3 animated properties produced by DQE. This deal, for DQE produced, globally successful TV series - Casper, Sandra and an Indian TV feature Omkar, will provide SPHE exclusive rights for Home Video distribution in South Asia and a multi million INR revenue for DQE.
Casper's Scare School is a 52x11' 3D animated TV series co-produced with MoonScoop, France and Classic Media, USA. The series premiered in Canada on YTV and TF1 in France . The series is being broadcast on Viacom18's kids channel - Nick, from November 2009 across South Asia.
Sandra is a 52x11' animated TV series co-produced by DQE and IMIRA, Spain. The property has been acquired by Disney India for broadcast in India.
Omkar is a 70' animated TV series DQE home production. The property is set to debut on Turner Entertainment Networks' POGO or Cartoon network channels.
Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman and CEO of DQE, said:
"We are thrilled that SPHE has acquired more of DQE's properties to add to their home video offering in South Asia. Our dream to entertain children of all ages in this region is being realised as we enter homes and hearts with our animated content. We believe Casper and Sandra, which already have a fan following around the world, will be hugely popular with young viewers in this region, while, Omkar will fascinate and educate children in the mythology genre. We are delighted to have a partner such as SPHE to get our content across to children in this region and have full faith in their reach and prowess."
Keith Ribeiro Country Manager SPHE India said,
"This deal allows us to increase our output with more first rate animation product from DQE. Casper and Sandra have played exceptionally well in Western markets and I have no doubt these will deliver in the South Asian Home entertainment arena as well. Omkar is a product which will resonate with consumers across multiple generations, inspired by mythology but captivated by the method in which the story is brought to life. We have tremendous respect for DQE and the kind of quality they bring to this delightful genre."
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 |
Notes to editors:
CASPER:
For over 50 years, Casper the cute, pudgy ghost-child, who prefers making friends with people instead of scaring them is back again with his gang of ghost friends trying rather unsuccessfully to haunt people. Casper has gone on to become one of the most famous properties loved and recognized by children worldwide. Following a very successful live-action animation feature, an animated home video and millions of comics, this iconic property debuted as a DQE co-produced high quality 3D animated 52X11' TV series broadcast world-wide. Co-producers include Moonscoop, France, original rights owners Classic Media , USA, TF-1 France and many more. The series premiered in Canada on YTV on 11 January 2009 and will air on the Cartoon Network in different countries including the USA, Italy and Portugal and on TF1 in France and on Jetix and the Disney Channel in the Netherlands.
SANDRA, The Fairytale Detective:
SANDRA, THE FAIRYTALE DETECTIVE, is a series full of magic, mystery, adventure and humor. Sandra, a modern-day girl, inherits the incredible profession of Fairytale Detective from her grandfather. The World of Fairytales is a parallel universe in which all the characters from the traditional stories live. With this profession, she also inherits the services of the assistant, Fo, a crazy elf. Fo comes in search of Sandra every time a fairytale character calls, due to occurances such as Cinderella's glass slipper having disappeared, Pinocchio having been kidnapped, Sleeping Beauty having not woken up, and many more. In each episode, Sandra and Fo travel together to fantastic places in order to resolve a mysterious case.
The Series aired on TF1 in France, RTP in Portugal and on Disney in France, Germany, Spain & Italy and received great response from the audience in all these regions.
Omkar
Omkar is based on the inspiring and educational tales of Lord Shiva and his family; Goddess Parvati and their two sons, Kartikeya and Ganesha. Kartikeya, is General of the army of the gods and Ganesha is the elephant-headed deity of good fortune.
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.
Related Shares:
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