Double toon deal for TV-Loonland and ZDF

German network ZDF has reinforced its production partnership with kids' producer-distributor TV-Loonland with co-production deals for a pair of new animated series.

Something Else is a 26×11' series described by its producers as 'The Odd Couple meets Dr Seuss.' Aimed at kids 5-8, the show is also being co-produced by Canada's Studio B Productions.

TV-Loonland holds international distribution rights outside Canada, which went to Studio B. A Canadian broadcast deal with Family Channel is already in the bag.

Production is already underway at Studio B and TV-Loonland's London animation studio Telemagination. Work on the show will continue till the end of this year, when it's due to be aired in Canada.

Based on the illustrated kids' book of the same name by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell, the show follows two creatures: the blue furry Something Else and his chum the orange long-nosed Something. Their friendship and occasional squabbling is set against an up-tempo salsa track.

The second show in the ZDF/TV-Loonland double, also aimed at kids 5-8, is called Rudi (wt). This 26×11' series is due to kick off production in June this year, and follows the scrapes of a mischievous raven who lives in a junk shop. The character comes from ZDF's long-running live-action kids' show Siebenstein.

Under the second deal, TV-Loonland gets distribution rights to Rudi outside German-speaking territories, which are held by ZDF. The two outfits have previously teamed up for Pettson & Findus and the upcoming Little Ghosts.