TVNZ puts on Hatter

New Zealand pubcaster TVNZ has picked up UK/Canadian animated series Matt Hatter Chronicles, following a recent deal for the show in Australia.

The 26×30′ boys-skewing CGI cartoon will debut next spring on TVNZ channel TV2 as part of its weekend programming block 2Kids.

The deal extends the toon’s reach down under, after it was acquired last month by Aussie DTT network Eleven, which is operated by Network Ten and CBS Studios International.

The show is produced by UK indie Platinum Films and Toronto-based Dream Mill, and animated by Gnomeo & Juliet studio Arc Productions. It has aired on several Nickelodeon channels around the world, including in Australia and New Zealand.

Endemol Worldwide Distribution previously distributed the series but rights to the show, as well as Dream Street and Planet Cook, have since reverted to Platinum.

Former V&S Entertainment exec Natalie Llewellyn has been hired as head of international programming to exploit the Pinewood Studios-based prodco’s new portfolio, while a third season of Matt Hatter is currently in pre-production.

The toon follows the adventures of a thrill-seeking young boy and has also aired on CiTV in the UK, Canada’s Teletoon, RTÉ in Ireland, SABC in South Africa and Al Jazeera’s Children’s Channel in the Middle East.