Jetpack Distribution has announced multiple broadcast agreements with leading international channels as well as key licensing partnerships for preschool hit Yoko. The 52 x 12 animated series for kids 407 is co-produced by Russia’s Wizart and Spanish toon studios Somuga and Dibultoon, and Spanish broadcaster TVE.
Jetpack has secured deals with Canada’s BBC Knowledge for exclusive Pay TV and SVOD rights; Canal Panda in Portugal for exclusive Pay TV and non-exclusive SVOD; and with Sun TV for exclusive Pay TV right throughout India and Sri Lanka. Yoko will launch in these territories starting later this year.
Yoko premiered in Russia on CTC and Karousel at the end of 2016, and Wizard has inked separate broadcast deals through Wizard Distribution with additional Russian broadcast partners O! (Pay TV worldwide), Mult, Tlum and Ani (Pay TV), as well as VTV in Belarus and ETV in Estonia.
Yoko recently debuted in Spain on TVE’s kids’ channel CLAN, and will have its Basque language premiere on ETB this month.
Wizart has also signed on Russian licensor Bauer as Master Toy partner. The company will produce a range of Yoko construction sets, which will be joined by wooden toys from DUM and creativity kits from Alliance in the region. Yoko’s Spanish partners have secured a Master Toy agreement with Bizak, which will produce a range of plush, action figures and construction sets, set to launch winter 2017.
“We are delighted to be partnering with some of the world’s leading broadcasters and toy companies on Yoko. These new agreements underline this quirky brand’s broad international appeal and we are excited that the show is attracting attention from broadcasters and licensing companies in these key markets and beyond,” said Jetpack CEO Dominic Gardiner. “Yoko is already resonating with kids in Spain where it recently launched on TVE’s kids channel, Clan tv. I look forward to introducing Yoko to potential new partners at MIPTV.”
