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Tag: Robin Hood

  • Amazon miniTV to provide mega entertainment with Hollywood shows dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil under one roof

    Amazon miniTV to provide mega entertainment with Hollywood shows dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil under one roof

    Mumbai:  – Entertainment is soaring high with Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service is bringing in the top international shows dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil on “miniTV Imported”. From fantasy, and supernatural drama to sci-fi action and magical thriller, Amazon miniTV has launched an entire library that boasts international shows and movies. After showcasing popular K-dramas and giving us a glimpse into Korean culture, the streaming service is expanding its horizon with entertainment from all cultural corners of the world at the fingertips of viewers in their own language for free.

    Announcing the exciting news, Amazon miniTV gave out a glimpse of the captivating list of global movies, which will enchant Hollywood movie buffs.  Whether it is a romantic-dance anthology, fantasy-filled action, or the love story of Vampires, the streaming service has launched its first set of movies for free. The slate guarantees entertainment with a cinematic extravaganza for every cinephile, which includes RED, Now You See Me (1 and 2), The Last Witch Hunter, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Robin Hood, P2, War, Sahara and Bangkok Dangerous, all dubbed in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. In addition to this, Amazon miniTV has included fan-favorites such as the Twilight saga, Lionsgate’s popular The Hunger Games franchise including The Hunger Games 1 and The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire; Step Up and Step-up 2: The Streets dubbed in Hindi.

    Sharing his delight on the content offerings, Amazon miniTV content head Amogh Dusad said, “With an ever-growing slate of titles from all over the globe, Amazon miniTV strives to bring global entertainment with a touch of Indian flavour. After the tremendous response to the Hindi-dubbed K-Dramas, we are elated to add International movies to the offering and expand our content library with these International titles. We will constantly diversify our offering by adding more titles in our endevaour to keep India entertained.”

    Lionsgate VP licensing & content partnerships Gayathiri Guliani shared, “With the growth in internet penetration, the barriers to watching global content are gone, and the audience is keen to explore alluring storylines and engaging content from across the world. At Lionsgate, we have always received a phenomenal response to our titles across Indian audiences, and through our collaboration with Amazon miniTV, we are excited to take the next leg and reach out to a wider audience with The Hunger Games franchise in a language close to home. This big venture of Amazon miniTV will break language barriers and help bridge the gap between local audience and international content.”

    Experience captivating storylines, star-studded casts, bang-on cinematography, and Hollywood flicks with an Indian essence on Amazon miniTV. The international shows are streaming in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, exclusively on ‘Amazon miniTV Imported’ for free within Amazon’s shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.

  • DQ Entertainment raises up to $50 million for content development

    DQ Entertainment raises up to $50 million for content development

    MUMBAI: DQ Entertainment (International) has announced that its holding company and promoter DQ Entertainment (Mauritius) has executed the documents to raise funds up to US$50 million. The funds will be raised by way of semi or secured convertible bonds from OL Master, a private credit fund managed by OCP Asia (Hong Kong).

    In an announcement made to the BSE, the company has said that the funds can be drawn down in two tranches, the first of which is for US$35 million and will be drawn down immediately and the second tranche of US$15 million can be drawn down at the option of the investor within 12 months thereof.

    The net proceeds from the issue of the bonds will   be used to fund the development of more than 20 owned-IP and co-production project   currently in the pipeline for production over the next two years, for the repayment of certain debts amounting to approximately US$7.2 1 million (Rs 445.1 million) and for general  working capital  purpose.

    DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, “We are delighted to partner with OCP Asia and are confident that this association will help us to realise our mission for DQE.   The validation of our  business  model  by the high acumen  OCP team  further  strengthens our commitment  to  produce  and  distribute  world  class  content  across  territories and  grow  our audiences with high quality IP creation.”

    OCP  Asia  (Hong  Koug) co-founding  partner Teall   Edds added, “We   have  been impressed  with  DQE’s exciting pipeline  and its capabilities in producing world class  content,  its ability  to work with broadcasters from around  the world in bringing ideas  to the screen  and  its 360-degree monetisation approach to generating  returns  on IP.  We look forward to our close partnership with DQE.”

    It can be noted that the board of directors of DQE had been exploring various options to secure the necessary funding for the group’s pipeline projects, the bulk of which are children/family oriented animation series for TV and digital distribution. “This has included discussions with a number of investors and after considerable deliberation and effort, DQE has concluded that the issue of the bonds is the best option available to the group to secure the finance it needs and is in the best interests of shareholders  as a whole. The board believes there is an opportunity to grow DQE’s business through the development and exploitation of its own IP and the issue of the bonds provides the finance to capitalise on this,” the statement to the BSE reads.

    DQE has a production order book worth approximately US$ 63 million (Rs 3,820 million) in terms of revenue to the group. Some of the projects currently in production include ‘Robin Hood’, ‘Peter Pan season 2’, ‘Lassie’, ‘Miles from Tomorrow  Land’, ‘Popples’ and  ‘Seven Dwarfs &  Me.’ Production of many new IPs such as ‘5 & IT’, ‘Yonagunis and Leo Galilei’ will  commence  soon. The company had recently also signed on a co-production project called ‘Pio the Chick’ with Rai, Italy and is engaged in discussions for more such projects.  

    DQE’s distribution and licensing division has concluded 24 deals in the current financial year. In addition, a number of broadcast deals for the group’s IP, including Jungle Book, Peter Pan. Iron Man and Robin Hood, have been concluded with global broadcasters such as Rai Cinema (Italy), DEA (Italy), Viacom I8 (India) and  Univision (USA & Puerto Rico).  DQE expects to be able to grow its licening and merchandising revenue through its 360-degree monetisation strategy for all its existing and new IPs going forward.

     

    Major Terms of the Bonds

    The bonds carry a cash coupon rate of 6.5 per cent per annum payable semi-annually from the closing date up to the maturity date. The bonds will have a maturity period of five years from the closing date (the “Maturity Date”).

    Outstanding bonds will be redeemed on the maturity date at  a redemption price which would yield an internal rate of  return  (“IRR”)  equal  to 15  per cent  per annum  (the ‘Redemption Price’).   In addition, the bond holders can redeem the bond at the Redemption Price after a period of 36 months after the closing date.

    The bonds will   be issued to the Investor and are freely transferrable, in whole or in part, to any person (with the holders of the bonds from time to time being collectively the “Bond holders”).

    “The bond can be converted into ordinary shares of DQE Mauritius. The conversion of the full US $50 million of bonds would currently equate to 56.5 per cent of DQE Mauritius on a fully diluted basis,” said the statement.

     

  • DQE signs co-production and licensing deals worth US$48 million at MIPTV

    DQE signs co-production and licensing deals worth US$48 million at MIPTV

    MUMBAI: DQ Entertainment International has concluded a number of TV co-production and licensing deals at MIPTV held in April 2014.

     

    “The gross value of the co-production and licensing deals agreed is approximately US$48 million (Rs 2880 million), of which circa US$12.8 million (Rs 768 million) is revenue expected to be accrued to DQE over the current fiscal year and the next, subject to milestones,” said DQE in a statement published in BSE.

     

    Various TV co-production/service production and licensing and distribution deals were concluded for DQE properties such as: The Jungle Book season 2, The Jungle Book Christmas special, The Jungle Book Safari, Peter Pan season 2, Robin Hood, Lanfeust Quest, Project-Popp and others. “Overall MIPTV ’14 was hugely successful for DQ Entertainment with a large number of deals concluded by the licensing and distribution team for television, home video, VOD, SVOD, music publishing and promotional merchandise,” the statement added.

     

    In particular, a co-production agreement for the second season of Peter Pan has been announced between DQE, ZDF TV Germany, Tele Quebec Canada, DeA Kids, Italy and France Television in partnership with Method animation with a gross budget of US$9.9 million.

     

    DQE’s strategic alliance with Rollman Entertainment USA, signed last year for the co-production, distribution, licensing and merchandising of animated and live action TV series and new media content, has been very productive for the company. Two seasons of the animated TV series NFL Rush Zone and a first season of Iseodo were executed and successfully delivered under this alliance in the last fiscal period. “Additionally, a contract for the co-production of Yonaguni, the CGI TV series with a global budget of US$10 million, has been signed and DQE expects to conclude several more projects in the near future through this partnership with Rollman Entertainment,” the statement said.

     

    7 Dwarfs and Me, due to go into production next month, co-produced by DQE and Method Animation, has signed broadcasting agreements with France Television, ZDF TV Germany and RAI TV Italy. DQE will also be producing a high quality CGI animated TV series, with Zagtoons, USA, tentatively named The POPPS which is expected to go into production by June this year.

     

    DQ Entertainment CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said in a statement, “Response to our productions from global broadcasters has been very encouraging this MIPTV. Several strategic licensing agreements have been concluded and there are several others in the pipeline.”

  • DQE turns co-producer and licenser

    DQE turns co-producer and licenser

    MUMBAI: Synonymous with producing iconic properties like The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Lassie, The Little Prince, Charlie Chaplin and Robin Hood, DQ Entertainment is now all set to add its co-production line-up.

    Among the new titles, a CGI children’s animated series called Yonaguni will be co-produced by DQ with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Rollman Entertainment, Burbank, USA. The production and distribution group will also co-produce 7 Dwarfs and Me and the second season of The New Adventures of Peter Pan, and 5 Children and It with Method Animation, France.   

    DQ sealed the deals during its second fiscal quarter ended 30 September, 2013 and at the recently concluded MIPCOM at Cannes.

    “The gross value of these co-production and licensing deals between partners is approximately Rs 2, 220 million, of which, approximately Rs 720 million is attributable to DQE and expected to be accrued as revenue over the next fiscal year ending 31 March 2015,” says DQ Entertainment CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.

    Sneak peek at the licensing deals:

    1. Discovery Children’s channel has acquired the broadcast rights for Robin Hood animated series for the Indian sub-continent.
    2. Nick India has acquired the broadcast rights for The Jungle Book season 1 & 2 for the Indian sub-continent.
    3. Nick India has acquired the broadcast rights for Suraj, The Rising Star and Galactic Football for the Indian sub-continent.
    4. Sky Italia has acquired the broadcast rights of Peter Pan season 1 for Italy.
    5. BBS has acquired the rights to produce Jungle Book party disposables and tableware for Italy, San Marino & Vatican City.
    6. Ranocchio Re has acquired the rights to produce Peter Pan Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Silver bi-laminate, Resin and Cardboard for the regions Italy, San Marino, Vatican City and Italian-speaking Switzerland.
    7. Tendenze srl has acquired the rights to produce Peter Pan apparel for Italy, San Marino and Vatican City.
    8. Rai Cinema has acquired the free to air broadcast rights of Peter Pan season 1 for Italy.
    9. Universal Music has acquired worldwide music publishing rights of Jungle Book season 2.
    10. Escalada has acquired Free TV broadcast rights of Iron Man 2 and Peter Pan for Malaysia.
    11. Simbasat, UK has acquired broadcast rights of Iron Man 2 for Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Mauritius and French-speaking Africa.
    12. 2 x 2 has acquired broadcast rights of Iron Man 2 for Russia.
    13. Green Narae Media has acquired Home Video rights of Jungle Book 2 and Peter Pan for Korea.
    14. Showtime Attraction, L&M partner in Australia for Jungle Book and Peter Pan for the category of Costume Character Appearance, have extended the term for Jungle Book by one year.
    15. Jungle Book Toy Deals:
    · Habuba Clip for Israel
    · TRU Dubai for Dubai
    · Hunter Leisure for Australia
    · Prima Toys for South Africa
    · Scandi Toys for Scandinavia
    · Ho’s Team- Shoprite for South Africa

    Like Yonaguni, 5 Children and It too is a CGI children’s animated series comprising 52 11′ episodes while 7 Dwarfs and Me, a combination of CGI and live action images, is a hybrid animation show. The second season of The New Adventures of Peter Pan rides on the success of the first season of the Peter Pan television series that was distributed in over 100 countries, being one of the highest rated TV series in France, Germany and Italy.

    Sky Italia, Discovery Kids, Nick India and Rai Cinema among others have acquired the broadcast rights for various properties produced by DQE says Tapaas Chakravarti

    But how does the new portfolio fit into the company’s profile? “7 Dwarfs and Me, The New Adventures of Peter Pan 2 and 5 Children and It, fit in very nicely with the DQ portfolio of iconic properties. Also Yonaguni is an underwater adventure with SeaWorld theme parks from the US,” says Chakravarti, adding that the company is expected to enter production shortly for delivery in 2015.

    Co-production apart, DQ has also concluded several licensing deals. “Various well-known broadcasters such as Sky Italia, Discovery Kids, Nick India and Rai Cinema, among others, have acquired the broadcast rights for various properties produced by DQE,” says Chakravarti and adds, “The categories of the licensing deals vary from broadcast and music rights to character licensing for manufacture of merchandise such as toys, clothes etc.”

    This year, DQ has entered Latin American countries through its flagship intellectual property, The Jungle Book. “Globosat-Brazil, Cannal Encuentro-Argentina and Televisa-Mexico have already acquired the broadcast rights of the property while DQE’s other properties are also expected to make entry into these markets soon,” says Chakravarti.

    In addition, DQ is working on ways to leverage its large library of properties through SVOD and mobile platforms. “We are currently in discussion with YouTube to find ways of monetising animated content through a dedicated channel showcasing our global and domestic properties. We believe these platforms will play a very significant role in reaching a large and diversified audience in the future,” says Chakravarti.
    The company has also launched a game app of its IP, The Jungle Book, called ‘The Great Escape’ for the android platform. “We plan to launch similar games and apps on android and iOS platforms for other IPs such as Peter Pan, 5 Children and It etc. soon,” he adds.

    It is learnt that the production deals will add to the bottom line of the company, first quarter of the next fiscal year onward, while realisation of the licensing and broadcast revenues is expected to continue through the subsequent quarters.

    In case you thought that’s it, the company has some more production and licensing deals waiting in the wings…

  • BKN seals new media deal with Digital Music Group

    BKN seals new media deal with Digital Music Group

    Mumbai: BKN International AG signed an agreement with NASDAQ listed Digital Music Group (DMGI) to handle all USA and Canada digital rights for current and upcoming BKN films and series. The announcesment was made by BKN CEO Allen Bohbot, CEO and DMGI CEO Mitchell Koulouris.

    The deal includes BKN series such as Legend of the Dragon, Dork Hunters from Outer Space and Zorro – Generation Z and films such as Jungle Book – Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to the Rescue, Robin Hood – Quest for the King and Kong – Return to the Jungle.

    “Having an organization like DMGI with expertise in handling all digital rights in the key USA and Canada markets is very important to us,” said Bohbot.

    He further added “DMGI provide access to new stores particularly online retailers including iTunes Music Store, Google Video, RealNetworks, Napster, Wal-Mart Music, and Yahoo! which will enable kids to view our shows on these channels.”

    “BKN’s list of film and television productions is impressive in both its scope and tremendous success with audiences,” said Koulouris. “DMGI is looking forward to working with BKN to maximize the earnings potential on their entire list of productions.”
     

  • BBC’s show ‘Robin Hood’ racks up interest around the world

    BBC’s show ‘Robin Hood’ racks up interest around the world

    MUMBAI: Following its successful launch on UK television this weekend, attracting over eight million viewers, BBC Worldwide announces that it has already racked up a string of international television sales for the show Robin Hood. It has managed to secure deals in major territories including the US, France, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. Further deals are being concluded in Cannes this week.

    The Tiger Aspect show which has been co-produced with BBC America is available in full HD. BBC Worldwide’s brand team has worked in close partnership with Foz Allan and Dominic Minghella, the Tiger Aspect creators of the show, a collaboration which has made possible a 360 degree launch, with deals concluded for DVD, Children’s books, Audiobooks and Toys. DVDs and books deals were concluded in time for products to be on the shelves for Christmas. A soundtrack deal has also been concluded this week featuring music from Andy Price.

    BBC Worldwide’s independent unit director Helen Jackson, Director says: “Robin Hood might be an English legend, but Tiger Aspect’s fantastic contemporary production resonates with modern audiences across the world. The cross-platform deals we’ve done so far reflect this and we’re looking forward to encouraging further sales at Mipcom.”

    Robin Hood is one of BBC Worldwide’s key drama titles for the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France alongside ITV1’s £6 million new science fiction drama Primeval.

  • Benoit Runel appointed MD of BKN New Media

    Benoit Runel appointed MD of BKN New Media

    MUMBAI: Global animation company BKN International AG, involved in distribution and marketing of animated children’s television programmes and related consumer products, has appointed Benoit Runel as managing director of the company’s largest operating subsidiary, BKN New Media Ltd in Great Britain.

    Runel will oversee all sales and marketing for the company in the UK, Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, North America and emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
    He is further charged with overseeing all development and pre-production activities in the London – based studio as well as with securing and managing all co-productions with international partners.

    With over 16 years experience in the television and children industry, Runel joins BKN from Jetix Europe where, as part of the senior management team he oversaw all programming and related on-air strategies for the group’s 12 channels. He brought content and new Intellectual Properties to Jetix Europe and US through a number of successful co-productions and acquisition deals.

    Prior to joining Jetix, Runel served seven years at TF1, the French free-TV giant where he built a library of 2000 hours of kids’ programming.

    “We are really pleased to have the contributions of such a talented individual as Benoit. His track record in children’s programming acquisitions, productions and sales both at Jetix Europe and TF1 in France over 15 years makes him a perfect candidate to lead this division,” said BKN group chief executive officer Allen Bohbot.

    “BKN is in a very exciting development stage. The products including Legend of the Dragon, Dork Hunters from Outer Space, Zorro: Generation Z and the new classic collection including Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, A Christmas Carol and Robin Hood, to name a few, for direct-to-DVD release are really strong and I look forward to expanding on these activities. This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” added Runel.