91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Channels Australasia today announces a major programming initiative to showcase Australian children's content on its flagship children's channel CBeebies.

Local producers are invited to submit ideas for a 6 – 8 hour series to be broadcast on CBeebies in Australia and the UK, as well as on CBeebies' other channels around the world (in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Poland, Africa, Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market).

CBeebies is looking for an upbeat, humorous television series that will bridge the gap between four and six year olds, an age group that actively seeks out exaggeration and physical comedy, and loves the unexpected. The successful pitch would appeal to both boys and girls, and should feel physically rooted in the real world. A budget of $150,000 – $250,000 per programming hour is available.

"This initiative is an excellent opportunity for Australia's incredible production talent to showcase their work locally and internationally," said Brendan Dahill, Director of Television, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Channels Australasia.

"CBeebies is still in its infancy in Australia, having only recently launched in November 2008. Commissioning local content is a fundamental step to delivering unique, compelling and engaging television for our young Aussie viewers that reflects their world and supports the programming we have acquired from the 91Èȱ¬ and other producers."

The initiative is a partnership between 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Channels Australasia and CBeebies, the UK's free-to-air 91Èȱ¬ pre-school channel.

Michael Carrington, Controller, CBeebies, said: "I'm very excited about the opportunity to commission our first production specifically for Australia. Creating distinctive, high quality and original programmes has been key to the success of CBeebies in the UK, and now that the channel is rolling out internationally commissioning local content will help us to be even more relevant to our viewers. We've had a long relationship with the production community in Australia and it's fantastic that our first local commission for CBeebies will come from this vibrant market."

Producers will be asked to explain their full programme proposal in 500 words maximum.

A full commissioning brief and submission guidelines are available at

KEY DATES:
The deadline for submissions is Friday June 5, 2009.
A shortlist of six will be drawn up and successful producers will be invited to a formal pitching session in Sydney, the week commencing Monday July 6, 2009.
The commission will be announced Friday July 10, 2009.


NOTES TO EDITORS :
About CBeebies
CBeebies provides a mixed-genre portfolio of pre-school and early-school programming created to encourage "learning through play" for boys and girls aged six and under. Our audiences are curious, natural learners and they love to laugh. And we believe to be successful we need to provide them with programmes that are distinctive, high quality and original. Our portfolio blends music, movement, storytelling, arts & crafts, simple science, natural history, puzzles and animation, all in a fun but safe environment.

In the UK, CBeebies is currently the No. 1 children's preschool channel. Internationally, the channel launched in India in April 2007, followed by launches in Singapore, Hong Kong and Poland that year. In 2008, the channel has continued its international roll-out, with launches in Indonesia, Latin America, Africa, Australia and the U.S.

Dominic Schreiber/Harriet Otoo