U.K.-based independent media group Entertainment Rights Plc. (ER) has inked a deal to bring its hit British animated series Postman Pat to young U.S. viewers on HBO Family. The show will air daily beginning this fall, simulcasting in both English and Spanish.
Postman Pat and his faithful companion, Jess the Cat, have been favorites among the preschool set since the property first appeared on BBC TV in 1981. The original series has been exported to more than 65 countries and more than 15 million books have been sold to-date worldwide. The all-new Postman Pat series, animated at acclaimed toon studio Cosgrove Hall, launched in September of 2004 and a second season is in production for this fall.
"This agreement is significant for us as it not only adds to ER’s growing business in the U.S. following the acquisition of the Filmation Library in April 2004, but it is also another step towards establishing ER as a company that consistently delivers high quality programming which is both creatively and commercially viable for US audiences," says Jane Smith, group commercial director for Entertainment Rights.
At HBO Family, Postman Pat will join such children’s favorites as Scholastic’s I Spy, Universal’s Curious George and Sony Pictures’ Stuart Little. ER is developing a comprehensive consumer products program for the show, and has plans for a full brand roll-out in the US in 2006.
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