Having made a splash on BBC in the U.K. this summer, the sports-themed cartoon series The Likeaballs will be introduced to buyers around the world at this weekend’s MIPCOM Jr. market in Cannes, France. The property is being handled by Bejuba! Ent. and is supported by an exclusive long-term partnership deal with The FA Premier League, the biggest football (soccer) brand in the world. This is the first time the FAPL has agreed to any association with a children’s TV property.
Aimed at kids 6-11, the 26×10 series follows the adventures of Team Likeaball, a group of ball-shaped Aliens who bravely take on challenges because of their love of the game. Together, they face off against such threats as an aggressive virus, a band of plundering pirates, a bounty-hunting robot and a man with a magic hat. They even have to stop playing football and take-up tiddlywinks in order to end a war. The show is designed to entertain while delivering positive messages about the value of teamwork and fair play.
The Likeaballs is created by Jim Quick and produced for U.K. toon maker Animated Adventures and Pictures (AAP) by animation studio Cosgrove House Films. Based on its ratings success over the summer, BBC is now running the show on both CBBC and BBC2 and has scheduled it to head up the brand new Saturday morning block, TMi. More information on the series is available at www.likeaballs.co.uk.
Led by president Tatiana Kober, Bejuba! Ent. has broadcasting rights for The Likeaballs in all territories outside of the U.K. The show joins the company’s growing catalogue, which includes The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers from Pesky Animation and Studio B, the award-winning shorts of Tandem Films and Bonny Banana and Mo from Cut-Out Animation.
Worldwide merchandising and licensing rights for The Likeaballs are handled by 4Kids Entertainment International, which recently debuted the property at the New York Licensing Show.
Leave a Reply