Contender’s Pig flies overseas

Contender Entertainment Group’s preschool toon Peppa Pig (52×5′) has been picked up by seven overseas networks including ABC Australia, which is using the character as a key element of its kids branding.

The Contender programme has been licensed to Canal J in France, TV3 New Zealand, NRK Norway, the pan-Scandi affiliate of Nickelodeon, C4U in Korea, SVT Sweden and ABC in Australia.

These international deals follow the property’s joint commission from UK broadcasters Nick Jr and Five, which is due to air the first 14 eps at the end of May this year. The remaining 38 will go out in September.

Aimed at 2-5ers, the series follows the adventures of a pig, as she enjoys birthdays, bath time and playing with her little brother.

Animated by Bafta-winning animators Neville Astley and Mark Baker, Peppa Pig is the second toon out the door for Contender, following its previous series Tractor Tom, which aired on ITV’s children’s strand CiTV.

Contender md Richard Bridgwood said: “The interest in Peppa has shown that Contender can create long-term character brand for the preschool market, continuing to build on the success of its first series Tractor Tom.”