Kindle Entertainment announces TV ratings success for pre-school property featuring Lenny Henry and Imelda Staunton, a major licensing deal and development plans for 2009

Kindle Entertainment, the independent production company, announces strong TV ratings following the premiere in October 2008 of its pre-school show, Big and Small, on CBeebies (52 x 11’), the BBC’s digital channel for under 6’s. Plus, a major license deal has been signed this month by Jumbo to produce a range of puzzles and plush based on characters from the hit show.

Airing daily at the pre-school time of 8.10am, Big and Small proved its popularity among its young audience and housewives by dominating its timeslot on UK children’s TV for 4-9 year olds. The show started strongly with 107,000 kids recorded as watching on the first day of the series, 6 October 2008, and increased over the 11 week period by almost 50% to 147,000 children recorded on final day of series, 19 December 2008. Amongst parents at home with children aged between 0-3, the ratings were a further success with a very significant increase from 55,000 to 104,000 (BARB December 2008). Big and Small is moving to a new slot in the afternoon, Big Fun Time.

The long term licensing programme and strategy, handled by Ian Downes, Start Licensing, will be focusing on key aspects of the show, including music and the concept of perspective, through the development of combinations of complementary big and small items. The programme will continue to roll out across all major categories and Start Licensing is currently in discussions with key licensees covering publishing, gaming, confectionary, lunchware and apparel. Following the signed agreement with Jumbo this month, they will be producing a range of puzzles due out this summer, followed later in the year with games and plush toys based on the show and its characters - Big and Small, and their friends Ruby (a mouse) and Twiba (a worm who lives in Big’s apple).

Plans for further developments are currently in progress including the production of the first style guide which will be available to download from a new Big and Small B2B website from the end of January 2009. Big and Small character costumes designed by Rainbow Productions, the European leader in the design and manufacture of bespoke costumes for licensed characters, have also been produced and will be making special appearances at key events throughout 2009 including Toy Fair. Following the strong PR and marketing launch campaign in 2008, which resulted in extensive national and consumer press exposure, a strategy will be also implemented to maintain momentum throughout 2009.

Outside the UK, Studio 100 have successfully sold Big and Small broadcast to over 40 territories and an on air launch on Canada’s Treehouse is scheduled for 28 February 2009 followed shortly after with the DVD release. The UK DVD release is scheduled by ITV for Easter 2009.

In addition to the successful on air launch in 2008, CBeebies launched a Big and Small microsite in December. Kindle teamed up with Plug-in Media to deliver an immersive 3D website (www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/bigandsmall). Developed using the award-winning Papervision3D technology, the site invites children to enter the house and engage with animated versions of Big and Small.

Big and Small is a co-production between Kindle and the 3J's Productions for BBC, produced in association with Treehouse TV and Studio 100. Featuring the voices of Lenny Henry as Big and Small, and Imelda Staunton as Ruby and Twiba, their friends, the show aims to open children’s minds to a variety of outlooks on the world. Each story revolves around the comedy of Big and Small’s contrasting approaches to life, and so encourages young children to appreciate that people have many different ideas and opinions.

Anne Brogan, Founder and Director of Kindle Entertainment, comments; “The success of Big and Small on CBeebies in such a short period of time has been truly fantastic and a clear indication that the values, humour and quality of the show are enjoyed by children and parents across the country. Moving forward, we plan to continue to build on the positive connection with the brand and with the expertise of an extremely passionate team, we look forward to announcing further exciting developments throughout 2009.”