Its may not be an American production, but the makers of Shaun the Sheep have plenty to be thankful for this week, having sold more than 2 million home entertainment units worldwide and premiering a new series in the U.K.
The popular Aardman series reported home entertainment sales of more than 1 million in Germany, 500,000 in the U.K., 120,000 in Australia and 90,000 in the United States.
The new series of 40 seven-minute episodes begins airing Nov. 23 on CBBC on BBC One.
‘Shaun the Sheep is proving to be a sustainable brand both in the UK and internationally,’ says Sean Clarke, head of rights at Aardman. ‘Reaching 2 million DVD sales worldwide is testament to Shaun’s ongoing appeal and we are excited to be bringing new episodes to his fans in the U.K., followed by and international rollout in 2010.’
The first series of Shaun the Sheep has racked up television sales and licensing deals in more than 150 territories and has won several accolades including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival 2007, the Audience Choice Award at the World Comedy Film Festival 2007 and winner of the Age 5-10 Audience and Parent’s Choice Awards at the New York International Film Festival 2007.
