Kids content powerhouse Rainbow announces that 44 Cats - its brand new pre-school animated series - will premiere in Italy in November on Rai Yoyo, the No. 1 free-to-air kids channel in Italy, marking the eagerly anticipated show’s global debut!

This new deal marks the latest collaboration in the long and successful partnership between Rainbow and Rai - the channel that has successfully brought Rainbow brands to Italian TV screens for many years.

44 Cats is a Rainbow production in collaboration with Antoniano Bologna and Rai Ragazzi. It follows the daily adventures of Lampo, Milady, Pilou, and Meatball – four adorable kittens who are part of a music band named The Buffycats. The protagonists live in their Clubhouse, a garage inside old Granny Pina’s house. Their adventures explore the themes of friendship and altruism: the four cats love helping others and always find creative solutions to everyday hitches by dealing naturally with important themes like tolerance, diversity and acceptance.

44 Cats has been presented with great success to an excited crowd of pre-schoolers at the opening weekend of the Giffoni Film Festival – one of the most prestigious kids film festivals in Europe.

“I am truly delighted that our long and happy relationship with Rai has now extended to screening 44 Cats,” says Mr Iginio Straffi, founder and president of Rainbow. “The show, with its positive values, memorable music and smart gags, has all the ingredients to become a massive hit across the country!”

Luca Milano, Director at Rai Ragazzi, adds: "Inspired by a very popular Italian kids song, 44 Cats is a combination of stories and fun that will thrill children and families around the world. We are proud that, in the autumn, Rai Yoyo will be the first network to broadcast the series, continuing the long collaboration between Rai and Rainbow. 44 Cats, created and directed by Iginio Straffi, manages to reinterpret the Zecchino d'Oro classics with a modern look and an extraordinary level of animation quality."

The announcement also marks the latest broadcasting success for 44 Cats. Deals have already been signed with Nickelodeon (multi-territorial), Discovery Kids (Latin America), and Super RTL (Germany), whilst major broadcasting deals in France, Russia, UK and many other countries are all in the pipeline.