ABC Kids picks 9 Story Chinese toon

Magic Mall Entertainment toon Luo Bao Bei

ABC Kids in Australia has acquired both the English- and Mandarin-language versions of an animated series sold by the distribution arm of Canada’s 9 Story Media Group.

The pubcaster will air Luo Bao Bei (52×11′) following the deal with Dublin-based 9 Story Distribution International. The series follows a bright and spirited seven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination on a quest to understand the world around her.

Produced by Magic Mall Entertainment in China, it was created by the company’s Grace Tian and is written by Dave Ingham (Shaun the Sheep, Octonauts), with Cloth Cat Animation in Wales producing the animation.

9 Story acquired global distribution and merchandising rights to the show outside China in September last year. It set up its distribution arm in Ireland in 2016 with former Aardman Animations sales chief Alix Wiseman at the helm.

The children’s arm at Australian public broadcaster ABC began offering Mandarin versions of some of its most popular preschool shows online at the beginning of 2017.