Hit takes Barney off Southern Star

MIPCOM NEWS – UK kids' producer-distributor Hit Entertainment has gained control of the worldwide rights to Lyrick Studio's purple dinosaur show Barney & Friends, six months after buying the US outfit.

Australia's Southern Star had previously controlled the many existing Barney episodes, which were sold to the Australian distributor long before Lyrick's acquisition by Hit earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Hit has been commissioned by PBS to produce a further 40 half-hours of the kids' show, which will be delivered by the end of 2002. Hit has a broadcast agreement with the stateside public network until 2007.