Nelvana Limited has announced a deal with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
to produce the network's first Saturday morning children's cartoon block.
The deal is worth approximately US$40 million. Nelvana will produce six
book-based children's series for the U.S. public network's Fall 2000
season. The multi-year deal will also include the commission of a minimum
of two of the six series for weekly runs featured in PBS KIDS. Licensing
rights for at least four of the six character brands will be mainly handled
by Nelvana. In addition, the Canadian company will also have significant
licensing participation with the other two character brands. The shows will
be based off of best-selling children's books: SEVEN LITTLE MONSTERS by
Maurice Sendak; GEORGE SHRINKS by William Joyce; TIMOTHY GOES TO SCHOOL by
Rosemary Wells; CORDUROY BEAR by Don Freeman; MARVIN THE TAP DANCING HORSE
by Michael and Betty Paraskevas; and ELLIOT MOOSE by Andrea Beck.