Family entertainment producer/distributor Chorion and Shanghai Media Group (SMG), one of the largest media groups in China, struck a deal to jointly develop new animation programs for children 6-11. The agreement follows a series of discussions between SMG and Chorion in Shanghai in February, and at the MIPCOM market in Cannes last month.
The creative development process will begin almost immediately. Chorion and SMG will appoint co-development directors based in New York and Shanghai, respectively, and conduct creative summits in New York next February and in Shanghai the following June.
‘At our initial meetings together we very quickly identified a common creative mission to develop programs that can inspire and enrich the lives of children throughout the world,’ comments Chorion chairman Waheed Alli. ‘It is always exciting developing new projects, but working with the creative team at SMG makes this a dream initiative.’
Wang Lei, deputy director of animation for the Drama Center of Shanghai Media Group, adds, ‘We are delighted to be partnering with Chorion to create compelling programs that will make their mark on young audiences throughout the world. This partnership offers an exciting opportunity to showcase Chinese program-making talent to the world.’
In a separate agreement, SMG is to become Chorion’s business partner in China for its new preschool television series, Olivia. The series about a willful young pig was commissioned by Nickelodeon in the U.S., and Olivia was one of most-viewed new shows at MIPCOM Jr 2008. The show has already been picked up by Five and Nick Jr. in the U.K., as well as other major networks worldwide. Young viewers can start catching it in the spring of 2009.
