International pre-school entertainment channel JimJam, part of the Chello Zone channel portfolio, today announced the acquisition of the children’s animated series, Jakers!, from Parthenon Entertainment Limited.
Press Release from JimJam
London, 31 January 2011: International pre-school entertainment channel JimJam, part of the Chello Zone channel portfolio, today announced the acquisition of the children’s animated series, Jakers!, from Parthenon Entertainment Limited.
Totalling two series (52 x 30 minute episodes), the multi-Emmy award-winning programme from Mike Young Productions will launch on JimJam in February 2011. It will be broadcast in several languages across all JimJam channel feeds, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Jakers! is a state-of-the-art children's television series chronicling the boyhood adventures of Piggley Winks, a charming eight-year-old pig from Ireland. The stories are told through the eyes of Piggley Winks as an old pig, entertaining his grandchildren with his young escapades. ‘Jakers!’ is their often-used Irish expression of amazement and delight. Advanced computer generated imaging (CGI) allows life-like 3D characters to be rendered in richly coloured, lush backgrounds.
The deal was brokered by Dermot Shortt, Chief Executive Officer for leading international broadcaster Chello Zone, who commented: “The top class storytelling and cheeky characters in Jakers! make it one of the best series around for pre-school children. Piggley Winks and his friends are the perfect addition to JimJam’s line-up, which showcases some of the world’s most entertaining and best-loved pre-school TV characters”.
Since its launch in 2006, JimJam has rapidly expanded across four feeds and into more than 50 territories, including Poland, Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, the Middle East, Singapore and Indonesia. It is available in 12 languages and has a strong online presence with 11 localised websites via www.jimjam.tv.
About JimJam JimJam is a TV channel dedicated to preschool children, and their parents and carers. Since its launch in November 2006, the channel has grown rapidly, and it is now available in more than 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. JimJam is broadcast in 12 languages to over 14 million subscribers worldwide. JimJam is the ideal companion to parenting, providing a stimulating, fun and safe environment for young children. Its high quality programming stars some of the world’s best-loved pre-school TV characters, including Thomas & Friends; Bob the Builder; Pingu; Barney; Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam. Other popular shows on JimJam include Baby Antonio’s Circus, Fluffy Gardens and Eric Carle: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories. JimJam is a channel from leading international broadcaster Chello Zone.
For more information please visit: www.jimjam.tv. About Chello Zone Chello Zone is a leading international broadcaster and creator of bespoke thematic television channels across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It owns and operates a portfolio of five consolidated channel brands: Zone Reality, Zone Romantica, Zone Club, Zone Fantasy and Extreme Sports Channel. Chello Zone’s channels reach audiences in more than 155 million homes* across over 100 countries and in 23 languages.
Chello Zone works closely with international programming partners to create and operate joint venture channels, including pre-school children’s channel JimJam, with HIT Entertainment, and dedicated food channel Food Network, with Scripps Networks Interactive. Chello Zone has also established a joint venture with CBS Studios International for a portfolio of six UK entertainment channels, including CBS Drama, CBS Action, CBS Reality and Zone Horror.
Showcasing modern classic TV series, insightful documentaries, Hollywood and independent movies, soap operas, sports, real life drama and lifestyle television, Chello Zone’s channels offer something for everyone. The linear TV channels are complemented by innovative content commissions and co-productions on mobile, online video, on demand and interactive technologies.
Chello Zone is a business unit of international media company Chellomedia, part of Liberty Global, Inc., the world's leading international cable operator. For more information, visit www.chellozone.com.
*combined consolidated and joint venture channels
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
