DQE announces television rights deal with MediaCorp

DQE, the animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company [which recently filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)  for approval for an Initial Public Offer of its equity shares and subsequent listing at Bombay Stock Exchange] is pleased to announce a deal for exclusive free-to-air TV rights with MediaCorp Pte Ltd for three of its Animation TV properties. Under the terms of this agreement, MediaCorp can broadcast Todd World Series 2, Maryoku Yummy Season I and The Jungle Book Season I on MediaCorp’s okto channel in Singapore.

This agreement with MediaCorp, the leading TV broadcasting media company in Singapore, will give DQE direct presence in South East Asia’s Free-to-air TV Market. [Winner of numerous international awards and accolades including Asia Television's Broadcaster of the Year, MediaCorp is one of the pioneers who developed Singapore’s broadcast industry.] The Singapore audiences will soon be able to catch these three remarkable series from DQE on okto.

Todd World Series 2, a preschool series co-produced with Mike Young Productions for Discovery Kids, was nominated five times  for an Emmy Award and is a much-loved property. Maryoku Yummy, another series of 52x11’ episodes, that DQE co-produced with American Greetings, USA,  is a series for the preschool children’s market.

The Jungle Book, CGI Series comprising 52 x 11-minute animated episodes as well as a 60-minute TV feature, is being produced at a global budget of €9.2m.  Production partners include ZDF Enterprises and ZDF Broadcasting (Germany), ABC (Australia), NBC Universal as well as broadcasting and licensing majors TF1 Group (France) and Moonscoop (France), The property has also been acquired for Pay TV by Multiplex of Disney Channels for 27 countries.  The first full episode of The Jungle Book ‘The Wild Black Bees’ was screened at the MIPCOM Festival  in Cannes. The screening was well received by the audience, which included many leading industry and media players and is due to air in the third quarter of 2010.

Tapaas Chakravarti Chairman & CEO of DQE Group said:

 “The line-up of 3 shows from DQE on Media Corp networks is a strategic deal for us. Their network provides the right platform to showcase our properties. South East Asia region holds exciting Publishing and Merchandising opportunities for DQ Entertainment and we are very pleased to extend our reach into this target region”

Ms Elaine Ho, Programming Manager, MediaCorp Okto said:

“Okto provides an array of top quality programmes that are engaging, informative and entertaining for children, young adults, adults and to the whole family. Acquiring programmes from DQE is in line with our strategy of getting the best for our viewers. We are confident these 3 titles from DQE will be well received by the children and their parents.”