US, Canadian prebuys for Decode's Save-Ums

Two North American presales have been signed for Canadian animator Decode Entertainment's first wholly-owned preschool show: a cgi half-hour series called The Save-Ums.

In the US, Discovery Kids has prebought the show for its upcoming Ready Set Learn kids block on TLC and the Discovery Kids Channel. Ready Set Learn is due to launch in February 2003.

Discovery Kids' svp and gm Marjorie Kaplan said she fell for the toon's {colouful, fun images and cooperative play concepts.{

Across the border in Canada, CBC Kids has taken the toon for airing on its Get Set for Life programme block, an educational block aimed at kids 2-5. {The Save-Ums encourages kids to develop a brave and daring approach to life,{ said CBC Kids' creative head of children's & youth programmes, Cheryl Hassen.

Decode's new 26×30' series comprises a number of five-minute segments and was created by Los Angeles-based creative Dan Clark (Brats of the Lost Nebula).

Through a number of pint-size cgi characters, courtesy of Core Digital Pictures, the show tries to introduce preschoolers to the world of problem-solving and technology. Decode and Core previously partnered on Angela Anaconda.

Though Decode is involved in Jim Henson's The Hoobs and the Sony Wonder-EM.TV preschooler Rainbowfish, Decode's partner Neil Court said that Save-Ums will be the first preschool toon controlled by the Canadian company. The company has also unveiled a second preschool toon: Franny's Feet.