HIT Ent. Ltd. (HIT) has concluded a six-year landmark licensing deal with German TV station SUPER RTL for a number of its properties, it was announced by Alison Homewood, evp of worldwide television distribution for HIT and Frank Dietz, head of acquisitions and co-productions for Super RTL.
Super RTL has also secured the worldwide phenomenon, THOMAS AND FRIENDS, licensing series 1 through 5 and series 800 and 900 and the special, CALLING ALL ENGINES. Super RTL will also debut series 5 (26x11) of FIREMAN SAM.
Super RTL renewed and extended its license for BOB THE BUILDER, licensing series 1-9 and PROJECT BUILD It series 10-13, as well as the specials, BOB'S BIG PLAN, WHEN BOB BECAME A BUILDER, KNIGHTS OF CANALOT, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER and SNOWED UNDER. Since its launch on Super RTL in June 2000, BOB THE BUILDER has consistently secured the highest ratings for a pre-school program on German television.
The commitment and success Super RTL have shown with Bob the Builder has been unwavering, so having them as the medium to launch Thomas and Fireman Sam into the German market was clearly our goal," said Homewood. "We are delighted to be able to announce this deal and build upon an excellent business relationship."
Super RTL program director, Carsten Göttel added, "I am delighted to be able to strengthen our relationship with HIT via these first-rate programs. BOB THE BUILDER has been a huge success for Super RTL and being able to debut THOMAS & FRIENDS and FIREMAN SAM to the German children is very exciting for us. I am sure they will emulate the success here that they have achieved across the rest of the world."
Super RTL will also act as licensing agent for these properties across German-speaking territories.
