Monday, October 29, 2012

Australian Commercial Television Network "Network Ten" Acquires Broadcast Rights For The Popular CGI-Animated Series "Matt Hatter Chronicles" For Their Free-To-Air Channel "ELEVEN"

From Kidscreen:
Network Ten picks up Matt Hatter Chronicles

Australia's Network Ten has snapped up boy-skewing, 3D/CG-animated series Matt Hatter Chronicles for its free-to-air channel ELEVEN.

Scheduled to premiere in 2013 on ELEVEN's Toasted TV block, the 26 x 30-minute Arc Productions-animated TV series from UK-based Platinum Films and Toronto-based Dream Mill will also be supported by an online and social media digital interactive component at matthatter.com.

The series, which has been a ratings success on Nicktoons and ITV in the UK, debuted on Canada’s Teletoon (English and French speaking) on September 8 and additional broadcasters on-board include Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand), RTE (Eire), SABC (South Africa) and JCC (Middle East).

The brand’s L&M program is also set to expand with consumer products launching in 2013 and a recent deal by Platinum will see ITVS GE represent rights for merchandising, publishing, promotional and home entertainment in the UK, Eire, Australia and New Zealand.

Tags: Australia, ELEVEN, Matt Hatter Chronicles, Network Ten
Also, from Broadcast:
Matt Hatter Chronicles sells to Australia's Network Ten

Australia's Network Ten has acquired kids' adventure series Matt Hatter Chronicles for broadcast in 2013.

The HD CGI animation, produced by indie Platinum Films and Toronto-based Dream Mill Inc, tells the story of a boy that has to defend the “multiverse”. The 26 x 30 minute series will air as part of Eleven's Toasted TV.

Cherrie Bottger, head of children’s television at Network Ten, said: “We’re delighted to be adding Matt Hatter Chronicles to our children’s line-up on Eleven and we hope to mirror the success that the series has enjoyed in other territories around the world. The 360-degree approach of this exciting series reflects our belief in offering interactive and immersive content for our young audience, both on-air and online.”

Last month, Platinum launched a digital hub for the series – matthatter.com – which features 200 pages of content that allows fans to find out more about the hero. It received 50,000 hits in its first weekend. Online activity, including social media, will be rolled out to support its launch on Eleven.

Matt Hatter Chronicles is show on Nicktoons and ITV in the UK, Teletoon in Canada and has already sold to Nickelodeon in Australia and New Zealand, RTE in the Republic of Ireland, SABC in South Africa and JCC in the Middle East. Further deals are expected to follow for Western Europe and the rest of the world.

Nigel Stone, chief executive at Platinum Films added: “Matt Hatter’s appeal is universal and we are confident that the show will become a firm favourite for all those budding schoolboy heroes across the territory.”
Also, from Animation Magazine:
Network Ten Dons 'Matt Hatter' for Spring 2013

Australia’s Network Ten has nabbed boys’ animated adventure-comedy Matt Hatter Chronicles for its digital free-to-air channel, ELEVEN, series producer Platinum Films has announced. The 26 x 30 HD CGI show will premiere in 2013 as part of ELEVEN’s Toasted TV line-up.

Produced by leading U.K. indie Platinum Films and Toronto-based Dream Mill Inc. and animated by Arc Productions (the Canadian studio behind Gnomeo & Juliet), Matt Hatter Chronicles charts the adventures of Matt Hatter, a 13-year-old schoolboy whose life is changed forever when he discovers his family defends a gateway to another dimension called the Multiverse—in order to protect the Multiverse and save his grandpa, Matt and best friends Roxie and Gomez must defeat and capture an assortment of powerful villains from movies, myths and legends.

Last month, Platinum launched the first phase of www.matthatter.com, getting 50,000 hits in its debut weekend. Over 200 pages of content allows fans to take a walk in Matt Hatter’s shoes, and will lead to Platinum’s digital strategy to support the broadcast by collaborating with ELEVEN to develop online activity, interactive digital content and social media engagement.

The series premiered on Canada’s Teletoon (English and French) in September and is already a favorite on Nicktoons and ITV in the U.K. where it has risen to a top rated position on both channels. Matt Hatter has sold to Nickelodeon in Australia and New Zealand, RTE in Ireland, SABC South Africa and JCC Middle East. Following MIPCOM, new deals across major Western Europe territories and the ROW are forthcoming.

Matt Hatter Chronicles