Disney takes Art Attack global

UK children’s show Art Attack is to be revived as local productions in 11 countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia, through a major deal with Disney Junior.

The Mouse House today confirmed that it will adapt the 1990s ITV format, in which host Neil Buchanan painted works of art for kids, for its local audiences in the UK, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Portugal, India, Argentina and Brazil. The format was acquired from Media Merchants, part of Hit Entertainment.

The shows, all coproductions between Disney Europe and Disney Channel Latin America, will air on the company’s new Disney Junior channels as and when the brand arrives in each market.

First up is the UK show, which will air on Disney Junior from June 6. Hosted by Jassa Ahluwalia, the series will run over 26 half-hours, with a further 26 going into production later this year. The channel itself launches in the UK this Saturday.

The new show will also screen via Disney Junior’s YouTube channel and “a number of VoD platforms,” the firm said. Plans for consumer products and home entertainment will also be developed in 2012 as the series rolls out globally.

“Art Attack underscores our ongoing commitment to invest in tailored content for local audiences,” said Giorgio Stock, executive VP and MD, Disney Channels EMEA and Disney International Media Group EMEA.

“We are updating a much-loved show for a new generation, helping to encourage self expression and individuality, and showing children that they can all be artistic.”

Art Attack originally aired on UK net ITV from 1990 to 2007, produced by TVS and later Media Merchants, STV Productions and Hit Entertainment. The 20 original seasons, totalling 291 episodes, also aired worldwide, including on many Disney channels.

Octonauts, Gaspard & Lisa, Handy Manny, Imagination Movers, Babar and the Adventures of Badou and Tinga Tinga Tales have already been acquired for the US channel, and indie prodco Spider Eye Animation’s Bafta-nominated Jungle Junction has been recommissioned for the UK feed.

Disney Junior launched stateside in February as a block on Disney Channel ahead of its planned launch as a standalone cable channel next year, replacing SOAPnet.