26 Nov 08

London, UK ( Wednesday 26 November) Top UK children’s television producer Coolabi Productions Ltd today announced production has begun on the second series of The Large Family (26 x 11’) for transmission in the UK and France.

Based on the best-selling books by Jill Murphy, the 2-D Cel-animated series chronicles the domestic chaos of an all-too-human elephant family, and proved a massive 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. The series also started airing on Disney Channel France in October 2008

The new series is a co-production between Coolabi Productions Ltd, GO-N Productions in Paris and DQ Entertainment in Hyderabad, India.

Julian Scott, Head of Children’s Programming at Coolabi, commented: "Financing the series and going back into production on The Large Family is incredibly exciting. The show has already demonstrated its appeal to the pre-school audience and captivated a legion of fans, who will be eager to see their favourite family of elephants back on screen. This second series enables us to continue our successful relationship with Cbeebies and TF1."

Kay Benbow, Head of Cbeebies Production, continued: "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 able to welcome back such talent and expertise to our fold."

Dominique Poussier, directrice des programmes jeunesse de TF1 added "We are very happy to start again with the same partners on a 2nd season of" Large Family ": the 1st season is one of the best hits TFOU had with children from 4 to 10 years and we are delighted to resume our collaboration with GO-N, DQ Entertainment and Coolabi".

Eric Garnet, President, GO-N, said today: "The GO-N Production team and I are delighted to be producing a brand new season of The Large Family. Naturally, we are very happy that it is so popular with the viewers, but it is also a very satisfying adventure in terms of co-production, and the backing we have received from our broadcasting partners."

Tapaas Chakravarti, CEO, DQ Entertainment, remarked: "The first series was supported by BBC & TF1 and has seen terrific response and we are so happy now that we are producing a second season "

The distribution and licensing rights for the hugely successful show are held by BBC Worldwide, and since its debut the series has already proved a big hit globally, with sales to date in more than 22 territories as diverse as Australia, Portugal, Iran and Sweden.

Coolabi has completed a recent run of successful deals, including the commissioning of new animated series Poppy Cat by Nick Jr UK, the signing of a development deal with Disney Channel’s London based Global Original Programming

For further information, please contact:

Elena Kemp / Melissa Brookes

Premier PR

Tel: +44 (0)20 7292 8331 / 8354

Email: elena.kemp@premierpr.com / melissa.brookes@premierpr.com

Links: The Large Family