FremantleMedia ties up Thai copro

Shellhut Entertainment’s Byrdland

FremantleMedia Kids & Family (FMK) is to coproduce two as-yet unnamed animated series with a partner in Thailand as it steps up its focus on Asia.

FMK will coproduce the two properties with Shellhut Entertainment, producer of series such as Shelldon and Byrdland, and will hold distribution rights in all territories, excluding Thailand.

FMK’s exec VP, creative and production Bob Higgins (Danger Mouse) will be an executive producer on the two shows, which FMK said mark the next stage in the division’s plans to “create a stronger footprint in Asia.”

“This will create a new chapter for our company, and with FremantleMedia’s expertise, we are more confident that the TV series and the characters will have international appeal for millions of global viewers,” said Dr Jwanwat Ahriyavraromp, Shellhut Entertainment’s CEO and founder.

FMK’s portfolio includes comedy-action toon Danger Mouse and preschool properties Kate & Mim-Mim and Tree Fu Tom, alongside a library of over 5,000 hours of programming.