German expansion for BKN

BKN International has signed a new long-term agreement with German children’s network Super RTL worth $1.25m, a deal that includes programmes such as Legend of the Dragon and animated film King Kong of Atlantis.

Legend of the Dragon will air in Super RTL’s Toggo Action Block beginning January 2006. Super RTL has additionally acquired rights to the animated full-length motion pictures King Kong of Atlantis and Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves – the Lost Scimitar of Arabia from BKN.

All properties have marketing and merchandising campaigns throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. Licensed products for Legend of the Dragon are expected to be in shops in 2006, while products relating to the films will be in German stores as early as Christmas 2005.

The deal with Super RTL marks BKN’s third deal in Germany this year after the re-license to Ki.Ka of the UBOS (aka The Ultimate Book of Spells) property and the appointment of El Euro Lizenzen in Munich as merchandising agent for Legend of the Dragon.

Nicola Andrews, BKN’s vp sales and marketing, said : “We feel that this agreement represents a major breakthrough for us in one of the world’s largest markets for children’s entertainment, and further validates the strength and global appeal of BKN’s new film assets.”

Legend of the Dragon (52×22′) is a non-violent martial arts programme aimed at children between the ages six and 11, and features the adventures of two Hong Kong twins forced to battle against each other to protect the universal balance of the Yin and the Yang from a dark force called the Zodiac Master.