Al Jazeera Children’s Channel acquires the Jungle Book series and TV special
DQE, the animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company (which recently filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for approval for an Initial Public Offer of its equity shares and subsequent listing at Bombay Stock Exchange), is pleased to announce an exclusive broadcast deal with Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) for the broadcast of the 52x11 minute episode animated series and the 60 minute TV Feature of ‘The Jungle Book’. This agreement will allow Al Jazeera Children’s Channel exclusive broadcasting rights across 22 Arabic countries for a term of five years.
The Arabic version of the Jungle Book will be broadcast for the first time in 3D CGI across 22 Arabic countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Comoros, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen through Al Jazeera Children’s Channel feeds on Arabsat, Nilesat, Hotbird and Eurobird.
Tapaas Chakravarti Chairman & CEO of DQE Group said, “The broadcast licensing agreement with Al Jazeera for our Jungle Book TV series is testament to the universal appeal of our Jungle Book adaptation.. This relationship is of immense strategic value to DQE for other potential alliances.”
Malika Alouane, Director of Channels’ Programming at JCC said: “We are delighted to obtain the Arabic rights for the Jungle Book animated series and adapt it to our audience. The story book is a classic and well in line with many stories told across the vast territories JCC covers; in some countries, it is introduced in schools as part of students’ curriculum.”
“We are pleased to partner with DQE and surely appreciate the quality they have achieved in bringing to life this promising children TV content”, she concluded.
About The Jungle Book project
The new adaptation of Jungle Book series and TV special from Rudyard Kipling's famous Jungle Book is scheduled to be launched by the third quarter of 2010. The series already has fans buzzing in anticipation and this acquisition will ensure that audiences in these nations will catch Mowgli – the man cub, and all his jungle friends in their new 3D-CGI avatars.
The Jungle Book TV series and 60 minute Tele Movie in HD-3D, developed & produced by DQE group at a global budget of Euro 9.2 million in co-production with German broadcasting and distribution giant ZDF Group as well as famous French broadcaster TF-1 Group, supported by MoonScoop, France, a prolific producer of children's animated content, has already been sold for TV broadcasting to ABC TV Australia , 27 countries to Disney Multiplex of Channels and strategic licensing and merchandising discussions underway. The first episode of this hi-def feature quality TV series premiered in Cannes MIPCOM Festival with resounding success and triggered world-wide TV & Home Video pre-sales including licensing and merchandising Deals.
Jungle Book 52x11’
Mowgli, the man cub’s adventures open out in the lush tropical forest of Seeonee amidst splendid Indian royal forts, temples, waterfalls and the Waingunga river. Throughout the series other characters from the Kipling stories add flavor to the drama, comedy and action, bringing out excellent animation and quality storytelling.
Trailer available for viewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5pDCplIPp4
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 2788 permanent employees 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 iconic 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’ as a 52 episode animated series and a 60 minute TV feature, 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 it has international sales representatives in Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo.
Al Jazeera Children’s Channel
Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) is a Pan-Arab edutainment channel addressing an audience between 7 and 15 years old. With the mission to encourage the love of learning and discovery, JCC is dedicated to creating and providing quality programs that enlighten the child’s mind.
This goal is realized through research, thorough analysis, and the production of relevant content that resonates with the needs of this target audience’s daily life as well as their culture.
Al Jazeera Children’s Channel distinctively selects its programs from the international market. JCC signature productions include debate shows allowing Arab tweens to express their opinion and communicate their thoughts, thematic magazines covering different educational subjects such as Science, Technology and sports; as well as game shows that provide audience with general knowledge information and entertainment.
The Channel also produces its own titles of animation and cartoon TV series and contributes in co-productions with other public mission children’s channels around the world.
Al Jazeera Children’s Channel is free to view on Arabsat, Nilesat, Hotbird and Eurobird and is distributed by a very large number of operators across Europe.
In addition to providing supplementary sources of learning, discovery, and creativity, JCC offers a wide range of multimedia and digital content through its interactive website (jcctv.net). The bilingual website offers more than 200 hours of educational and entertaining broadcast material, let alone the latest multimedia tools that enable the members to upload their own content of images and videos and share them with children around the world.
DQ Entertainment (International) Limited, 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 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.
