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First licensing deal announced for Universal Music’s pre-school property
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Universal Music and Egmont have embarked on a relationship that will see the publishing group produce a wide range of books featuring Uki, the delightful pre-school character currently airing as part of CBeebies’ hugely popular ‘Show Me Show Me’ programme. Included within the range will be 10 Minute Tales, Pocket Library books, Annuals, Colouring and Activity books and Story books for the UK.
Uki is Universal Music’s first pre-school animation, an irresistibly cute yellow character who is never without a smile. With an endless curiosity and an innate sense of fun, Uki is a true reflection of his audience. Each of the 52 x 5 minute episodes describes a day in Uki’s life and, from the moment he wakes until it’s time to sleep, Uki takes his young viewers along on his adventures using not words but sounds, laughter and smiles to encourage them to join in his fun. For Uki, a new day is a new adventure.
Winner of the ‘Pitch it’ award at the 2008 KidScreen Summit, Uki has a modular structure that will quickly become familiar to children and their parents. Like any toddler’s day, it starts with Uki waking up and ready to play. Playtime is followed by the chance of a guessing game with Uki, then it’s story time. Finally, there’s a last chance for some more fun before Uki starts to wind down and eventually goes to sleep watched over by gentle Moon. |
The show is already airing in Belgium on children’s channels Ketnet and Club RTL and has been sold into Australia, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Poland, Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, the Middle East and S. E. Asia.
Says Neil Jennings, Director of Business Development at Universal Music UK and responsible for the Uki licensing programme, “We are extremely happy to have Egmont as our publishing partner, Uki has a rapidly growing fan base of tiny tots and we already have parents asking when product will be available. Egmont’s range, once in store, will not disappoint!”
David Riley, Managing Director of Egmont Publishing Group added “We are delighted to add Uki to our pre-school catalogue. The programme’s engaging characters and bold style will translate perfectly into books.” |
