U.K.-based independent media group Entertainment Rights has inked a deal with U.S. children’s programming network Qubo to begin airing episodes of the popular animated series Postman Pat. Having entertained kids in Blighty for more than two decades, the show made its U.S. debut on HBO Family in the fall of 2005.
Postman Pat and his faithful companion, Jess the Cat, have been favorites among the preschool set since the property first appeared on BBC TV in 1981. The original series has been exported to more than 65 countries and more than 15 million books have been sold to-date worldwide. The latest incarnation of the series, animated by acclaimed toon studio Cosgrove Hall, launched in September of 2004.
NBC Universal, Scholastic, Corus Ent. and Classic Media/Big Idea joined forces last year to launch Qubo, a multi-platform kids’ television network that champions literacy and positive values. The Qubo programming block is carried on in both English and Spanish on NBC and Telemundo, as well as ION Media Network’s i network. Entertainment Rights has since acquired Classic Media for $210 million.
