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aNb Media News, July 30, 2015

Sesame Delivers First-Ever Spanish Language Show to Univision

Sesame Workshop has announced production on a brand new 30-minute Spanish language show, Sesame Amigos, exclusively for Univision. The first season of Sesame Amigos premieres August 1 at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT (7:30 a.m. Central) in the Saturday children’s programming block Planeta U.

“Sesame Amigos is a new and innovative show designed specifically for Spanish-speaking families in the U.S.,” said Alberto Ciurana, president of Programming and Content, Univision Communications Inc. “While versions of Sesame Street air in more than 150 countries, Sesame Amigos will provide Spanish-speaking preschoolers the tools they need to succeed in the United States.”

Through Sesame Amigos’ 26 new episodes, kids will develop their moral compass and learn important educational lessons with trusted characters. Each show will also feature a segment where Elmo, Lola, Rosita, and friends interact with a Univision celebrity in a fun setting. Featured Univision celebrities include, Sal y Pimenta hosts Carlos Calderon and Lourdes Stephen, Primer Impacto correspondents Tony Dandrades and Jackie Guerrido, Despierta América’s Maity Interiano and William Valdez, and Univision Deportes’ Pablo “La Torre de Jalisco” Ramirez.  In addition to Univision talent, the show will feature other Hispanic celebrities such as Vahdir Derbez, Diego Luna, and Leslie Grace.

Zodiak Media, Banijay Group to Merge

International entertainment entities Banijay Group and Zodiak Media have agreed to merge, creating one of the world’s biggest independent production and distribution companies and the largest not controlled by a media group.

The merger will bring together the companies’ complementary catalogues and production units to generate US $1 billion in revenues. The new group will now have a footprint in more than 18 territories producing entertainment, drama, factual, reality entertainment, docu-drama, and children’s and animation programming.

At the closing, Stéphane Courbit will be named Chairman and Marco Bassetti will be appointed CEO of the merged company.

An extensive sales arm will handle worldwide rights distribution and licensing for both in-house and third party content. Further details of the merger will be announced in due course.

Toy State On Board for DC Super Friends Product

Toy State agreed to terms on a global licensing deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, to produce licensed products featuring the DC Super Friends brand.

Targeted for children ages 3–7, Toy State’s product line will consist of remote-controlled vehicles featuring popular DC Comics characters and will incorporate its best-in-class quality and the innovative lights-and-sound features. Distributed under the Nikko brand, product is scheduled to hit retail in mid-2016.

The DC Super Friends feature many of the most notable DC Comics Super Heroes, such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

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