Studio 100, a leading European entertainment group, entered into a strategic agreement with Planeta Junior to buy back the “Maya the Bee” property rights in France.

Until today, Planeta Junior was in charge of all TV and licensing rights in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece of the old EM Entertainment catalogue. This catalogue included among many others brands such as Maya the Bee, Vicky the Viking, Heidi … With this new agreement, Studio 100 will become sole rights owner in France while Planeta Junior will keep managing the rights in Southern Europe, namely in Iberia, Italy and Greece.

In the past few years, Studio 100 initiated its international expansion by distributing its own IP’s as well as third party content. With the acquisition of EM Entertainment in 2006, Studio 100 has established itself as a renowned international distribution, licensing and production partner offering a global approach to marketing all ancillary rights of its properties. In 2008, the group opened and created an animation studio, Studio 100 Animation, based in Paris to start producing Maya the Bee (78X13’) in CGI in collaboration with TF1,Tiji in France and ZDF in Germany. This first series will be followed by a CGI version of Vicky the Viking (78X13’) in collaboration with TF1,Tiji and ZDF in 2013 as well as Heidi (39X26’) in collaboration with TF1 in 2014.

Studio 100 Group strengthens its position on the French market and truly establishes itself as one of the key licensors on this crucial European market. Maya the Bee, Vicky the Viking and Heidi are part of the French cultural heritage and Studio 100’s goal will be to re-launch these classic brands and have they become evergreen characters. Studio 100 will exhibit for the first time at the Kazachok Licensing Forum in Paris in April 2012 and will disclose its development plans in France there.

“This operation lies within the framework of the different partnership agreements between Planeta Junior and Studio 100 and the different projects they participate in as partners, one of the most important of which is the TV super-production of La Abeja Maya 3D, with a budget of €10 millions. Planeta Junior also continues working in France, where it holds the licenses and participates in the production for such well-known programmes as Camille and Magiki” says Ignacio Segura, Planeta Junior’s Managing Director.

“Maya the Bee, Vicky the Viking and Heidi have always been strong characters in France and we are thrilled to introduce new generations to these beloved properties. In addition, developing our business in this region is a key focus for the Studio 100 Group. France is a well established licensing market and we will leverage our partnership with French broadcasters and use our licensing team to create the “must have” brand among pre-schoolers” says Hans Bourlon, CEO at Studio 100.