Mr Bean Bounces onto Boomerang
04 March 2010: Turner Broadcasting has picked up the rights to the much-loved animation series, Mr Bean, in the year that the legendary star of TV, film and cartoon celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The three-year deal gives the broadcaster exclusive UK rights to air all 26 half-hour episodes on its family channel Boomerang, where Mr Bean finds a home amongst other animation greats including Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry and Pink Panther and Pals.
In Mr Bean the animation series, Rowan Atkinson reprises the title role of his famed sitcom, featuring the mumbling comic creation of Mr Bean, his confidante Teddy and long-suffering girlfriend Irma Gobb. The eponymous character is the brainchild of Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis.
Mr Bean is produced by Tiger Aspect in association with Richard Purdum Productions and Varga Holdings. The deal was negotiated by Cecilia Persson, VP of Acquisitions, EMEA, Turner Broadcasting and Katherine Senior, Executive Producer, Tiger Aspect.
Cecilia Persson, VP of Acquisitions EMEA, Turner Broadcasting says: "Mr Bean is the epitome of good fun family viewing and has a great gender balance appeal, which works perfectly for a channel like Boomerang which is watched equally by boys and girls. We're delighted to welcome the show to Boomerang's roster of animation greats."
Katherine Senior, Executive Producer for Mr Bean, Tiger Aspect Productions said:
"It is gratifying and exciting that after 20 years Mr Bean continues to entertain and delight audiences all over the world. We are all happy that he has found a new home on Boomerang."
The series is an international hit, and both the animated and live action Mr Bean TV series are currently distributed in over 60 territories worldwide. It is scheduled to air on Boomerang from July 2010.
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For further information:
Yinka Akindele, Senior Press Officer, 020 7693 1105, yinka.akindele@turner.com
Notes to editors:
BOOMERANG
Boomerang offers an exciting mix of family favourite cartoons such as Scooby-Doo, Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes, alongside live-action comedy series including My Spy Family (from the makers of My Parent are Aliens) and Life With Derek. Boomerang is available 24 hours a day on digital cable and satellite in the UK and has localised services throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa where it is available in 11 languages and in over 29 million homes. Boomerang is operated by Turner Broadcasting System Europe, a Time Warner Company.
In the UK Boomerang is available on Sky 603; Tiscali TV 309; Virgin TV 730. It is also available on: Top Up TV Anytime; Sky Anytime. Boomerang + 1 airs on Sky 618, and Virgin TV 731. http://www.boomerangtv.co.uk/
Turner Media Innovations is the advertising and media consultancy part of Turner Entertainment representing Cartoon Network, CN Too, Boomerang, Cartoonito, TCM and Adult Swim. More information at www.turnermediainnovations.com
About Tiger Aspect Productions:
Tiger Aspect Productions is internationally recognised as one of the UK's most successful and prolific independent television producers. The company portfolio includes animation, comedy, drama, entertainment and factual genres.
Tiger creates a wide range of critically acclaimed and award-winning programming for all the UK's major terrestrial and non-terrestrial broadcasters. In addition the company's creative output now enjoys an increasingly high profile in the USA through its commissions for major stateside networks.
Tiger's production slate includes primetime mainstream successes for BBC1 and ITV such as Robin Hood (3 series), Murphy's Law (4 series), Mr Bean, The Vicar of Dibley, Benidorm, The Catherine Tate Show, Harry Enfield and Charlie and Lola (www.charlieandlola.com)
Other hits have included Ross Kemp In Afghanistan (a follow-up to the BAFTA-winning Ross Kemp On Gangs for Sky One), Horne and Corden (BBC3), Ladies of Letters (ITV3) and Abi Morgan's BAFTA-winning drama White Girl for BBC2.
Tiger's programming is built on our relationship with the best on offer in UK talent. The company's belief in nurturing and supporting creativity on every level means that Tiger consistently attracts the UK's ultimate in on-screen, writing and production talent.
