Decode continues third-party drive

Canadian children's TV indie Decode Entertainment has bought the rights to three new animated and live-action series, as part of a drive into acquiring new shows for distribution.

It has secured the worldwide rights to Outward Bound, produced by US-based RCN Entertainment. The real-life action adventure show follows teenagers on an Outward Bound wilderness challenge.

Filmed on location in the US, Australia and Costa Rica, the first 32-episode series is airing on Discovery in the US and YTV in Canada. A second 18-episode series is now being shot. All will be available through Decode at Mip-TV.

The producer-distributor has also bought a 26-part animated series Being Ian, produced by Studio B for Canada's YTV.

Based around a cinema buff called Ian who sees the whole world as if it was a movie, it was directed by animator Marv Hewland, who directed Gary Larson's Tales from the Farside and The PJs.

Decode has also signed the worldwide distribution rights for Olliver's Adventures, produced by Collideascope Digital Productions for Teletoon Canada.

The 13×26' series, aimed at seven to 11-year-olds, tells the story of a boy who escapes to his bedroom to dream up his own wild escapades. It is made completely in digital animation.

Decode's London-based partner, Neil Court, said: {These three new shows are all a great complement to our own programmes. We want to continue to build our slate of third-party properties as we continue to make our own shows.{