HALIFAX – Children's entertainment company DHX Media is producing 60 new episodes for its well-known children's television property Teletubbies for BBC’s CBeebies channel in the UK. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The new series will feature the same characters and styling, but will be “visually enhanced, bringing a refreshed and contemporary look and feel” to the popular preschool series, reads the company’s news release. DHX Media said it will work with UK production company Darrall Macqueen to upgrade and update the look of the show, including its live action characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po.
“Having acquired Teletubbies, one of the most significant and globally successful television properties, we are committed to developing the brand for today's children”, said president and COO Steven DeNure, in the news release. “Kids' entertainment of this calibre captivates generation after generation so we believe there is considerable demand for an enhanced, contemporary version. Darrall Macqueen is one of the UK's most dynamic production companies and we believe the ideal partner to help visually refresh this landmark show."
DHX Media acquired the series last fall as part of its buy of Ragdoll Worldwide Ltd. Teletubbies launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children's brands of all time, reaching over 1 billion children. The original episodes have aired in over 120 territories in 45 different languages, and it was the very first western pre-school property to air on China's CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million children. The brand's postings on YouTube garner almost 50 million views per month.
