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Children's Programming, Industry News

Lambur Productions options Sophie Kinsella’s Fairy Mom and Me

From a media release:

Lambur Productions announced today that it has signed a deal to option the TV rights to internationally bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s first book for young children  Fairy Mom and Me (published in the UK as Mummy Fairy and Me). Lambur Productions will work with Kinsella, her agents Lucas Alexander Whitley and UK based Executive Producer Helen McAleer to develop the book for a series of live-action television movies.

Fairy Mom and Me tells the story of Ella and her family’s special secret – that her Mom is a fairy! Ella’s Mom comes from a long line of fairies and can perform fantastical spells to make delicious cupcakes, create the perfect birthday party and cause chaos at the supermarket. However, unlike the other fairies in her family who win awards for their magic, Mom’s spells almost always go hilariously wrong – and that’s when Ella has to come to the rescue. A modern day take on fairies and family, Fairy Mom and Me will take audiences on a sweet and funny journey full of magic and mayhem.

This is the first major announcement for Lambur Productions since its launch in October 2017. The deal was brokered by McAleer as well as Araminta Whitley and Philippa Milnes-Smith for Lucas Alexander Whitley. Fairy Mom and Me was released worldwide in the US by Delacorte and in Canada by Puffin Canada in January 2018 and is published in the UK by Puffin in February 2018. A second title follows in the UK in August 2018 (to be published in the US and Canada in January 2019). Rights have also been sold in a further 9 languages.

Sophie Kinsella is a globally bestselling author including most recently for the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller My Not So Perfect Life (published February 2017). Her other books for adults have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 40 languages. They include the globally successful Shopaholic series and other titles such as Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess and Finding Audrey for young adults. Kinsella’s new adult novel, Surprise Me, publishes February 2018.  Fairy Mom and Me is her first work for young children.

About Lambur Productions
Launched in October 2017, Lambur Productions was established to produce the highest quality children’s and family programming. The company is helmed by industry veteran Joan Lambur, a highly respected and well established executive producer whose most recent work includes the award-winning series of three movies, Lucy Maude Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, starring Martin Sheen, Sara Botsford and Ella Ballentine for Corus Entertainment in Canada and PBS in the US. Other series Lambur has executive produced include the British co-production RIDE and buddy comedy Max & Shred, both for Nickelodeon. Building on the strength and experience of its team, Lambur Productions works with broadcasters, creators, writers and other creative talent to develop and produce internationally successful product for partners around the globe. Visit the website at www.lamburproductions.com

 

 

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Industry News

Link: Nirvanna the Band the Show lives on, despite Rogers pulling plug on Viceland

From Barry Hertz of The Globe and Mail:

Link: Nirvanna the Band the Show lives on, despite Rogers pulling plug on Viceland
“We have a three-season deal with Vice Studio Canada, not Viceland, and we’re in the middle of production on the third season right now. Where it’s going to air is obviously a question, but to be honest it’s not one we’re worried about right now.” Continue reading.

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Vice acquires full control over Vice Canada studio and Viceland content library

From a media release:

Today VICE Canada announced that they have acquired full ownership over their studio business and VICELAND content library, following the end of their joint venture with Rogers Media and the subsequent end of Rogers Media’s minority position in VICE Studio Canada. VICE Canada will be announcing new partnerships in the Canadian market soon.

The core pillars of VICE Canada’s business remain, including the award-winning VICE Studio Canada, a thriving digital business that reaches millions of Canadians a year and VIRTUE the global creative agency, born inside of VICE Media, developing content programs and platforms for the world’s largest brands.

First announced in October of 2014, with VICELAND launching in February of 2016, the Rogers Media/VICE Canada partnership produced over 130 hours of original Canadian programming. VICELAND’s content recently received 12 Canadian Screen Award nominations including, best comedy series (Nirvanna the Band the Show), best documentary program (RISE), best factual series (Payday), best lifestyle program (Dead Set On Life) and best news or information program (Terror).

In 2017 VICE Canada announced an exclusive deal with Bell Media to broadcast the Emmy award-winning VICE News Tonight and later that year announced a partnership with W5 to produce two documentaries focused on the opioid crisis.

VICELAND will remain on air until March 31st 2018.

 

 

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Rogers Media and Vice Canada agree to terminate joint venture

From a media release:

Rogers Media today announced it has agreed with VICE Canada to terminate their joint venture in VICE Studio Canada and VICELAND.  As a result of the termination, Rogers Media has transferred its interest in VICE Studio Canada to VICE Canada, and VICELAND will cease broadcasting on March 31, 2018.  VICELAND content will continue to be available to Canadians on VICE.com.

In this crowded content universe and as audience habits change, we continue to evolve our strategy to deliver unique content to Canadians.

We plan to redirect our Canadian content funding to other Canadian content initiatives that better align with our portfolio and brands.  Content ownership remains a core part of our strategy and we will be actively exploring new content opportunities that appeal to a broad audience.

We are excited to work with Canada’s talented creative sector to create compelling Canadian content that resonates with viewers here at home and around the world.

 

 

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Look Mom! Productions launches production on new adult animated comedy, Gary & His Demons

From a media release:

Look Mom! Productions, Blue Ant Media’s Toronto-based, animation studio has launched production on Gary & His Demons (16×11’), an animated comedy that centres around 45-year-old Gary. He’s tired. His hairline is receding, he wears horn-rimmed glasses and he’s just chased his final demon before his long-overdue retirement. But Gary soon discovers that his boss has again failed to find his replacement and Gary will be forced to keep fighting demons for eternity. But nothing can change Gary’s fate. He’s the chosen one, whether he likes it or not.

Based on a short form pilot from the Bite on Mondo Incubator, Gary & His Demons is produced in partnership with LA-based, MONDO. The series is set to premiere on MONDO’s’s channel on VRV in Spring 2018. As part of this announcement, Blue Ant International will add Gary & His Demons to its premium scripted offering to buyers worldwide in late 2018.

The series is created by Mark Little, known for his work on Picnicface, Space Riders and Mr. D., and has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Little also serves as Head Writer, Co-Director and the voice of Gary. Gary & His Demons is Executive Produced by Josh Bowen (Executive Producer and Creative Director, Look Mom! Productions) and Wendy Willis and Pia Chikiamco (MONDO’s Six Point Harness studio). The series is Co-directed by Lou Solis, known for his work on Ugly Americans, Moonbeam City and the Secret Path.

Look Mom! Productions announced its launch in late 2017, along with two new animated, action-comedy series for the kids 6-11 category Toy Hunters (26×11’) and Cloudface (26×11’).

 

 

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