Sony to Distribute 'Teletubbies' Discs and Digital Releases

31 May, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and DHX Brands, the consumer-products arm of Canada’s DHX Media, May 31 announced a global home entertainment distribution deal for all new and classic episodes of “Teletubbies” in both physical and digital formats.

The new "Teletubbies" series follows the preschool brand’s characters and styling of the original series, but has been visually enhanced with a contemporary look. The show features new elements such as Touch Screen tummy TVs and a hi-tech Tubby Phone.

The series premiered May 30 on Nick Jr., and in January on DHX's Family Jr. in Canada; and on CBeebies in the United Kingdom last November, where the show consistently rates as one of the channel's top programs.

“‘Teletubbies’ is one of the most popular and iconic brands for young children and families around the world,” Ben Means, SVP of third-party strategic partnerships for SPHE, said in a statement.

"Teletubbies" first launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children's brands of all time. It has reached more than 1 billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in more than 120 territories in 45 different languages. It was the very first western pre-school property to air on China's CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million children.

DHX Media in 2013 acquired all rights to "Teletubbies" through its $27.7 million purchase of Ragdoll Worldwide, a joint venture between Ragdoll Productions and BBC Worldwide that owned, managed and exploited “Teletubbies” programming.

“Teletubbies” discs for years were distributed jointly by PBS Home Video and Paramount Home Media Distribution.

“The global appetite for ‘Teletubbies’ content has proven to be unwavering, with strong demand for both the new series and the classic show," said Tom Roe, commercial director of DHX Brands. "Given their reach and standing, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the ideal international home entertainment partner for this brand. We look forward to Sony providing more ways for pre-schoolers and their families to engage with the magical world of the ‘Teletubbies.’”
 

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