CBBC pre-buys LEON premiering at MIPCOM 2008

Studio Hari is proud to announce that leading British children’s channel, CBBC has acquired its new CGI animated comedy series, LEON (52 × 3 minutes).

CBBC have committed to a pre-buy deal for exclusive TV and ´catch-up´ rights in the UK. Premiering at this years MIPCOM and ready for delivery before Christmas 2009, LEON is a co-production between Studio Hari, TV Loonland and France 3.

Following on from the phenomenal success of the OWL for the BBC, LEON will be the second show from French Producer Studio Hari to be picked-up by the UK Pubcaster. According to Broadcast Magazine, the one minute animated series, THE OWL is currently rating at number 3 amongst all kids shows on TV in the UK! This is an exceptional feat for any show, let alone a short format! On the international front, TV-Loonland certainly has no complaints as the OWL is now ‘on the air’ in over 180 countries worldwide and also has a major presence on DVD, online, mobile telephony and across a number of digital platforms.

LEON is a hysterically-funny portrayal of life’s unluckiest lion. Appealing to viewers of all ages, the show has been inspired by the all time animation classics and a true celebration of slapstick, squash and stretch genius.

Comment from Jesse Cleverly – Head of Acquisitions & Original Animation at CBBC: “We are so delighted to be working with Studio Hari and TV-Loonland and again after our fantastic exprience with THE OWL. Leon is already shaping up to be a floppy fringed favourite with our audience who will love the combination of a great character and brilliantly judged physical comedy.”

Justine Bannister, Head of Distribution at TV-Loonland, commented: “Studio Hari have gone and done it again! LEON is pure animated genius. We have really enjoyed working with CBBCon THE OWL and delighted that they have committed to LEON at such an early stage of development. We couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect launch platform for LEON in terms of TV exposure worldwide.”