91Èȱ¬

The UK's number one pre-school channel brand, CBeebies, is coming to Norway, Denmark and Sweden as a bespoke, localised service for the first time, following a new deal signed between 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide and CANAL+.

CBeebies is a high-quality, interactive, entertaining and educational experience for pre-school children. It offers children up to the age of six-years-old a safe haven in which to learn about, and enjoy, the world around them.

CBeebies will launch as a non-commercial, daily block on CANAL+ new children’s channel which is available across from June 2011. The block will be dubbed into Danish, Norwegian and Swedish in addition to being available in the original English audio.

CBeebies will air every day in two three hour blocks from 6:30-9:30 and 3:30-6:30. A number of CBeebies shows will also be available as a Video-on-Demand catch-up service.

The CBeebies block will offer a range of programme premieres to entertain and educate little learners.

Nina And The Neurons is a science show for four- to six-year-olds. From her workshop Nina takes children on a journey of discovery. With the help of her trusty animated neurons, which represent the senses, Nina opens children's minds to the world of science. From submarines to helicopters, observatories to lighthouses, the children visit fantastic locations to understand the science behind these big inventions and the smaller inventions we use every day.

The Roly Mo Show is built around the magic and wonder of books and story-telling. The show stars Roly Mo, a green and purple striped mole who lives underground and likes to read books and two comical creatures the snoots, as well as cameo appearances from some of the other much loved Fimbles characters! The Roly Mo Show is aimed at three-to six-year-olds.

An original commission by CBeebies Australia and now airing on CBeebies internationally, Penelope K, By the Way is an enchanting series that shows children how to love the process of learning and helps them find answers by asking questions – however ridiculous they might seem. Pre-schoolers and their parents will adore Penelope K, who would love to help any child with their particular question – if only she had a clue! While she knows that she once knew the answer to the question each child asks, it always vaporises like a dream when she tries to think of it! Fortunately, she has various companions in the Information Station to help her out but faced with a bewildering mass of facts, all the confused Penelope K needs now is a child to help her unearth the answer.

Ian McDonough, SVP and General Manager EMEA, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Channels, said: "I am delighted that a bespoke, localised CBeebies block will be available in Norway, Sweden and Denmark for the first time. CBeebies is the number one channel in the UK for pre-school children, and has proved to be immensely popular with our audiences internationally. Preschoolers enjoy CBeebies' unique mix of new and landmark, high-quality programmes and their parents and carers appreciate that CBeebies educates and entertains the 91Èȱ¬'s youngest audiences in a safe and trusted environment. I am confident that CBeebies will be a popular addition to Nordic households with children and their parents and carers alike."

"CANAL+ has a lot to offer most viewers whether their preference is films, sports or TV-series. We are now broadening our offer for the family households with CBeebies and children's films. 91Èȱ¬ make what are perhaps the best children’s programming in the world, educating as well as entertaining the youngsters," says Johan Kleberg, CEO at CANAL+.

The introduction of the CBeebies block means that all of the 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide thematic channel brands now have a presence in the Nordics. 91Èȱ¬ Entertainment, 91Èȱ¬ Lifestyle, 91Èȱ¬ Knowledge and 91Èȱ¬ HD launched across the Nordic markets in December 2008. 91Èȱ¬ World News is also available in the region.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Ian McDonough, SVP and General Manager EMEA, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Channels is available for interviews.

Louise Loffel