Disney makes bee line for The Hive

The Walt Disney Company EMEA has acquired Lupus Films, Monumental and DQ Entertainment’s (DQE) The Hive, a show first reported on by C21 from Cartoon Forum in 2006.

The multi-territory deal will see The Hive shown from early 2011 on Playhouse Disney channels in France, Germany (GSA), Italy, Spain, South-East Asia, Korea, Japan, India, Latin America, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The Hive (26×21’/78×7′) follows the fortunes of the happy, friendly and cute Bee family. Storylines explore the themes of family, working together to solve problems, being part of a diverse community and caring for the environment.

C21 billed the show as one of the cartoons to watch ahead of Cartoon Forum 2006, where the property was unveiled. Since then, DQE has come onboard as a copro partner and Bejuba Entertainment signed to distribute.

Giorgio Stock, exec VP and MD of Disney Channel EMEA, said: “The Hive is a good addition to our worldwide programming schedule and underscores our ongoing commitment to create global programming with creative production companies from markets in the UK and the rest of Europe.”

The Hive series is also set to premiere this autumn in the UK on GMTV’s Fluffy Club weekend preschool programming strand.

The series is being exec produced by Ruth Fielding and Steve O’Pray with Camilla Deakin as series producer. Ray Merritt is creative director, Mark Williams animation director and Bafta-winning Bridget Hurst is head writer.