Nickelodeon and Chorion Partner to Bring the World's Most Precocious Piglet to Life With the New Animated Preschool Series, Olivia

Nickelodeon and Chorion Partner to Bring the World's Most Precocious Piglet to Life With the New Animated Preschool Series, Olivia

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon, the number-one US TV network for kids and the most widely distributed kids' network in the world, has partnered with media content company, Chorion, to present Olivia, a new children's animated television series based on the best-selling books by acclaimed author/illustrator Ian Falconer.

The new CGI series (52 x 11 minute and one 44 minute special) will be animated by Academy Award-nominated Irish animation studio Brown Bag Films. Nick Jr. will present 26 half-hour episodes in the US and sales for the international territories will be made at MIP this month.

"Olivia is one of our most exciting properties and we are thrilled that our enthusiasm for the brand is shared wholeheartedly by our partners at Nickelodeon," said Nicholas James, Chief Executive of Chorion. "We are committed to delivering the very best quality entertainment to audiences globally, and we could not have better partners in that endeavour."

"Olivia is that rarest of creatures: a children's publishing phenomenon with an established international appeal," said Brown Johnson, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Nickelodeon Preschool. "We are delighted to be partnering with Chorion on this new series and look forward to introducing the television adventures of the world's most precocious, yet lovable piglet to new fans in the US."

The first Olivia picture book by US author and acclaimed The New Yorker illustrator Ian Falconer was published in 2000 to rave reviews. Since that time, the series has sold an impressive 2.5 million copies worldwide in 21 languages.

Olivia is a sophisticated yet charming piglet with a flair for the dramatic. Her character is one of boundless energy, self-confidence and exuberance and the new series will see these traits reflected faithfully in Falconer's trademark humor and unmistakable, minimalist, illustrative style.

The production marks a key growth pillar for Chorion's development and production of literary-based entertainment properties with global appeal. As part of its strategy, the company will also develop a significant online presence for the brand alongside a refreshed and revamped licensing and merchandising program.

Chorion acquired the non-publishing rights to Olivia in 2005. It is currently handling worldwide television sales, and will be showcasing 'Olivia' at MIP TV in Cannes, France, 16-20 April 2007.

About Nick Jr.

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award- winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one- rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE: VIA.B).

About Chorion

Chorion is a media content company that owns and manages an extensive portfolio of classic and contemporary premium copyrights with worldwide appeal. The company comprises three divisions: Children's, Literary Estates, and TV and Film. The Children's division directs global entertainment and merchandising for Chorion-owned brands including Noddy and Mr. Men, as well as managing the non-publishing rights for properties such as Olivia; Literary Estates manage such Chorion-owned properties as the works of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler; while TV and Film acts as an executive producer or licensor of Chorion's TV and film rights, such as Raymond Chandler's Marlowe, recently commissioned by for a US TV pilot by ABC, and undertakes its own productions including the popular Marple and Agatha Christie's Poirot series, co-produced with ITV in the UK and PBS in the US. Chorion has offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney. In the US, all children's properties are managed by Chorion Silver Lining, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chorion Limited. www.chorion.co.uk

Contacts: Sharyn Traub Jessica Varon
Nickelodeon Tracy Paul & Company
212/846-6381 212/741-5459

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Chorion

CONTACT: Sharyn Traub of Nickelodeon, +1-212-846-6381; or Jessica Varon
of Tracy Paul & Company, +1-212-741-5459

Web site:

http://www.chorion.co.uk/

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