Special Event: MIP-TV

Independent TV production company Calon TV has secured the distribution rights to its back catalogue of award-winning children's animation.

Studio manager Lynne Stockford has been appointed to manage international sales following the reversion of the distribution rights from S4C International

The list of programs includes such TV hits as the BAFTA-winning HANA'S HELPLINE, which is currently screened on Five; Welsh language classic SALI MALI; '80s favorite WIL CWAC CWAC, UNDER MILK WOOD and the feature film THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN.

Spanish creative factory Zinkia has produced a new animated special, POCOYO AND THE SPACE CIRCUS (1 x 25), which is to be unveiled to international buyers at MIPTV.

In POCOYO AND THE SPACE CIRCUS, which premiered to critical acclaim over the Christmas holidays on TVE1 (Spain), Pocoyo and his friends are visited by a group of extraterrestrial circus aliens. Pocoyo experiences his first trip to the circus and finds himself embroiled, with his friends, in a wild adventure to help the aliens and to ensure that the show goes on.

Independent French production company Moi j'aime la television (MJTV) is launching its own in-house licensing division and has appointed Alexandre Mayaud as consultant.

This move reflects the company's growth into new areas and its plans to further exploit its key brands across merchandising and other media including music and book publishing, videogames and educational language learning toys.

TV-Loonland has a raft of TV deals worldwide with prestigious broadcasters for its multi-formatted property, PAT&STAN. Along with short formats and a half hour comedy special available, the 39x7 PAT & STAN series is currently in production with new episodes to be presented at upcoming MIPTV.

Digital creators, interactive agencies and producers will have until January 19, 2009 to enter into the cross-media international competition, Content 360. The 46th MIPTV will be held in Cannes, France, from March 30-April 3, 2009.

Reed MIDEM and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (I.A.T.A.S.), have announced the launch of the fourth International Digital Emmy Awards (I.D.E.A.), to take place at MIPTV (March 30-April 3, 2009 Cannes, France). The call for entries runs until January 12, 2009.

The International Digital Emmy Awards are recognizing excellence in content created and designed for viewer interaction and/or delivery on a digital platform (interactive TV, mobile, Internet, etc.) originating outside of the United States.

Entertainment media company Entertainment Rights' internationally successful pre-school series POSTMAN PAT has launched on China's national television network, China Central Television (CCTV). ER also announces a number of key international broadcast agreements for the brand new series -- POSTMAN PAT: SPECIAL DELIVERY SERVICE (SDS).

Launching a new strategy to extend the reach of its proprietary entertainment brands, Canada's 9 Story Ent. has named The Licensing Shop as exclusive worldwide (excluding Germany) licensing and merchandising representative.

DECODE Enterprises, the distribution subsidiary of DHX Media, returned from MIPTV with a host of sales signed for Out of the Blue Enterprises' innovative, critically-acclaimed animated preschool show SUPER WHY!, including a deal with Nick Jr. in the U.K., the number-one rated commercial preschool channel from Nickelodeon U.K. DECODE Enterprises holds worldwide television rights to the series excluding the U.S.

Entertainment Rights announced it has secured further significant broadcast agreements for the new TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED series (26x22) plus a 70-minute special episode.

Before MIPTV, the company has secured broadcast agreements in more than 80 territories including: Mediaset (Italy), Turner Broadcasting (Australia, Latin America and India), Jetix (Israel, Netherlands and Belgium), Network 10 (Australia), TV3 (New Zealand), Mediacorp TV12 (Singapore) and TV Globo (Brazil).

THE IMP, the most useless evil creature on TV, comes loaded with innovations for the MIPTV this week.

THE IMP series continues to be a stand out for sales: MTV Poland recently followed MTV Portugal's acquisition of the series, along with 2x2 TV Channel in Russia and Xeip Canal Once in Mexico.

The property celebrates its excellent audience ratings and great reception in the licensing world with the premiere of its official interactive website (www.theimp.tv ), that allows users to download free game and electronic postcards to mobile phones, PSPs or iPods.