FreemantleMedia and Random House CSE partner to develop 2 new shows

LONDON, 14 February 2011: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has signed a development deal to co-produce and distribute two new shows, co-developed by Random House Children’s Screen Entertainment (RHCSE), a joint venture between Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) and Komixx Entertainment, a Komixx Media Group company.

The two shows, based on original RHCB stories, will be jointly produced and financed by RHCSE and FME, with FME taking on worldwide distribution, licensing and home entertainment rights. The initial focus for both properties will be for television broadcast, with scope to develop into additional areas including games and toys. Both properties will appeal to kids across a broad spectrum of demographics.

The chosen titles are Fish Head Steve and The Amazing Adventures of Charlie Small.

Fish Head Steve is based on the Jamie Smart comic strip originally published by David Fickling in the weekly children’s comic, the DFC. Fish Head Steve is a surreal comedy-soap about everyday events in Spumville where, in a flash, the heads of the townsfolk have been mysteriously swapped for household objects and family pets.

The popular series The Amazing Adventures of Charlie Small by Nick Ward features the turbulent and perilous adventures of an intrepid boy Charlie Small as he travels through time and space. A special Charlie Small adventure was published for World Book Day 2010, selling over 115,000 copies. The stories include Professor Jakeman’s wondrous and wacky inventions the ‘Mechanimals’ which appear in the nick-of-time. The Charlie Small series is published by RHCB.

Sander Schwartz, EVP and Head of FME’s Children’s and Family Entertainment Division said: “These two shows promise to entertain kids and families in countries around the world. Both series will feature compelling characters, great original storylines and themes from the books, and stunning visuals. We’re delighted to be working with RHCSE on these projects. With their unsurpassed portfolio of great properties and commitment to the family and kids’ entertainment space, I am confident that we will find many future opportunities for collaboration and mutual endeavour.”

Andrew Cole-Bulgin, Head of film and TV at RHCSE said: “RHCSE aims to create enduring entertainment brands, with original characters that have global appeal. The FME team has an impeccable track record in children’s and family entertainment and represents exactly our entertainment values and qualities. We share the same goals for these shows and with FME’s worldwide presence they will undoubtedly help deliver on our global brand-building aspirations.”

Philippa Dickinson, MD Random House Children’s Books, comments: “We are delighted that compelling storytelling from authors Jamie Smart and Nick Ward, combined with the DFB and DFC editorial expertise, has now created an opportunity for these wonderful characters to reach an even wider audience.  We are also very pleased to be working with FME and RHCSE on these projects.”