31 Mar 08

Coolabi plc (“Coolabi” or “the Company”)

CBeebies commissions second series of Coolabi’s animated hit The Large Family  

London, UK (31 March, 2008): Coolabi Productions Ltd, the television production division of Coolabi plc (COO:L), announces that its successful pre-school animated series The Large Family has been commissioned for a second series of 26 X 11 minute episodes by the BBC channel, CBeebies.

Based on the best-selling books by Jill Murphy, The Large Family proved to be a hit with viewers when it launched in October 2007, the first series becoming one of the best rated shows on CBeebies in the UK and TF1 in France.

Since its debut, the series has proved to have global appeal, with sales to date in territories as diverse as Australia, Portugal, Iran and Sweden, amongst others. Worldwide sales are being managed by BBC Worldwide, who are also planning a major licensing and merchandising campaign.

Coolabi is now working to pull all other elements of the production of the second series together, including the remainder of the funding, and expects to move into production later this calendar year.

This commission follows hot on the heels of Coolabi’s other recent production announcements, including the commissioning of new animated series Poppy Cat by Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr in the UK in January and the signing of a development deal with Disney Channel’s London-based Global Original Programming Division last November.

Commenting on the deal, Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive of Coolabi said:

“Following the proven success of the first series of The Large Family, we are delighted to be continuing such a successful relationship with CBeebies.

Our production business continues to go from strength to strength and this represents another important milestone in the development of that part of our business.”

Michael Carrington Controller, CBeebies said:

“The Large Family is a wonderfully engaging series with a family of characters which are hugely identifiable for our young audiences.  I’m thrilled that CBeebies is continually able to attract such great talent and expertise to work with us.”

ENDS

Enquiries:

Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive, Coolabi plc:       

T: 020 7258 7080

Bobbie Hilliam

Evolution Securities Ltd

T: 020 7071 4300

Verity Williams

Portland for Coolabi:

T: 020 7404 5344

E: verity.williams@portlandpr.co.uk

About Coolabi plc:

Coolabi plc (COO:L)  the AIM-listed company specialises in the ownership, development, production and creative management of high quality intellectual property assets and their global exploitation through licensing, merchandising and distribution. 

The group owns or controls the intellectual property rights to international brands including Purple Ronnie, as well as selected rights to properties such as the Hammer House of Horror.

In October 2007 Coolabi plc acquired Indie Kids Ltd, a boutique production company responsible for a variety of hit shows including The Large Family and Fungus The Bogeyman for CBBC and The Worst Witch for CiTV

Coolabi is actively looking to increase the number and range of intellectual property assets that it owns, develops and manages.  Whilst a proportion of this growth will come from the development of Coolabi’s existing development slate, the majority will be as a result of the group’s acquisition strategy.

http://www.coolabi.com