Kids series 'Franklin and Friends' heads east

CANNES – Canada’s own Franklin the turtle and his buddies are going to China. Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises' agent, Ciwen Media Group, said Monday that it has entered into a deal with China’s national broadcaster Chinese Central Television (CCTV) to air the preschool series Franklin and Friends for the first time on its children's channel. Airing weekdays in Chinese on CCTV Kids Channel (CCTV-14), the 52 x half hour animated series premiered in China on September 23. As part of the roll out, Ciwen is launching a merchandise program which will integrate TV, new media platforms, publishing and consumer products. "We're...