Asian networks add youth shows

Mako Mermaids has gone to HBO Family Asia

Broadcasters and distributors from across Asia Pacific have picked up 150 hours of children’s programming from the distribution arm of German public broadcaster ZDF.

Australia’s ABC International has acquired pan-Asian pay TV rights for all three seasons of Dance Academy (65×26′), while HBO Family Asia has taken pay TV rights for season two of Mako Mermaids (26×26′).

Elsewhere, Thai TV3 has acquired free TV rights to live-action adventure comedy Sam Fox: Extreme Adventures (26×26′), Wolfblood (26×26′) and Wicked Science (26×26′) from ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE).

Meanwhile, Next Step in Thailand has picked up the animation series Rusty Knight (52×13′), Shaolin Wuzang (26×26′), Tempo Express (26×26′) and the first season of The Skinner Boys (26×24′).

ZDFE.junior will again be represented by former Imira Entertainment exec Christophe Goldberger’s Barcelona-based distribution and development consultancy firm Goldbee at this year’s Asia TV Forum.