Italy’s RAI and France’s M6 have become the first major European broadcasters to acquire the new animated kids’ series Geronimo Stilton. The 26×22 show is produced by Atlantyca Ent. and Moonscoop Prods., in association with Mike Young Prods., and with the participation of RAI and M6. The borascasters have been involved in the project from the initial stages, working creatively on development and production. Geronimo Stilton is distributed by Taffy Ent. and set to make its broadcast debut in the fall of 2009.
Based on Atlantyca’s popular children’s chapter book series of the same name, Geronimo Stilton chronicles the life and adventures of the famous mouse Geronimo Stilton, head of a veritable media empire and klutz extraordinaire. The intellectual, mild-mannered rodent spends his days reading or playing chess with his nephew, the fearless Benjamin Stilton, until adventure comes knocking and launches them paws-first into capers in New Mouse City and exotic locales around the world. They are often joined in these adventures by Geronimo’s cousin Trap, the ultimate pack rat and consummate prankster, and Geronimo’s sister Thea, who is a daring special correspondent.
‘RAI is the perfect home for this new series and it is only fitting that our first broadcast deal would be in Geronimo’s native Italy,’ says Atlantyca Ent. senior manager and series exec producer Caterina Vacchi. ‘These first deals reflect our commitment to extend the reach of the Geronimo Stilton brand throughout the world on leading television platforms, to complement our expanding licensing and merchandising activity.’
Published in Italy by Edizioni Piemme and in the U.S. by Scholastic, the Award-winning Geronimo Stilton books debuted in May of 2000 and have sold more than 14 million copies in Italy alone, and have been translated into 29 languages. Atlantyca Ent. is the original rights holder of the brand and all of its character spinoffs.
