Turner Broadcasting has picked up broadcast rights to the new CG-animated Garfield series from France’s Dargaud Media and plans to begin airing it on Cartoon Network in 2009. Dargaud is producing 52 11-minute instalments in HD to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the orange tabby with a taste for lasagne. The series will also air in territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
‘We’re delighted to have acquired this new CG series of Garfield,’ says Cecilia Persson, VP of programming, acquisition and presentation for Turner Kids. ’30 years on, Garfield is as popular as ever, with a regular comic strip in 63 countries across the world, two blockbuster feature films and heavy weight presence across web, DVD, licensing and publishing. This new show celebrates Garfield’s return to TV.’
Created by Jim Davis, Garfield first appeared as a comic strip in 1978 and was later animated for TV specials and a regular series, Garfield and Friends. A CG Garfield, animated by Rhythm & Hues, starred alongside live actors in the feature film Garfield, which was released in December of 2003 and grossed $198 million worldwide. A sequel titled Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties, hit theaters in June of 2006, taking in more than $147 million.
