“Twirlywoos” Coming to Family Jr. This Fall
SERIES JOINS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TELETUBBIES REBOOT IN FAMILY JR. LINEUP
Toronto, June 15, 2015 – DHX Television revealed today that it’s moving full steam ahead with its strategic content planning for Family Jr., announcing that Twirlywoos will appear on its soon-to-be rebranded preschool channel this fall. The new stop-motion series from Anne Wood at Ragdoll Productions, produced in association with DHX Media, takes young viewers and their families on a funny flight of discovery over the course of 50 11-minute episodes, exploring themes relevant to children aged 2-5 through comedic and imaginative interactions. This pickup follows the noteworthy news from earlier this month that Family Jr. will also be home to the eagerly-awaited return of Teletubbies in Canada.
“We’re excited to introduce Canadian families to Twirlywoos, an inventive and playful new show that is tailored to the core preschool audience of kids aged 2-5 and encourages imagination and exploration for our younger viewers,” said Joe Tedesco, Senior Vice President and General Manager, DHX Television. “As we divulge more information about the robust and engaging programming lineup we’ve secured for Family Jr., I think the creative and inspiring personality of the channel will shine through and viewers across the country will be able to connect with the playful nature of the series and specials we’re bringing to families.”
Silly, fun and full of surprises, Twirlywoos is a laugh-out-loud treat with loveable comedic characters who seek adventure wherever they go. Whether in the real world or on their big red boat, curiosity leads Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy and Chick to hide, imitate and be delightfully surprised as they discover new things. The series features child-centric slapstick humour that encourages preschoolers to gain confidence in their own perceptions of the world and reinforces their understanding as they grow and develop.
Twirlywoos is produced by Ragdoll Productions in association with DHX Media. Chris Wood serves as producer, Steve Roberts (Dipdap) is lead creative and the series is devised and executive produced by Anne Wood (Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, The Adventures of Abney and Teal). The stop frame animation has been produced by leading animation studio Mackinnon and Saunders. Twirlywoos was created in association with celebrated education expert and government advisor Professor Cathy Nutbrown to ensure the series identified and catered to the concepts that are most relevant to the target audience. DHX Media handles global distribution, merchandising, brand management and marketing for Twirlywoos.
About Ragdoll Productions
Ragdoll Productions, a privately owned family company, was founded by Anne Wood in 1984 and has produced more than 1,500 internationally acclaimed children’s television programmes aimed at the youngest viewers, including the phenomenally successful, BAFTA-winning Teletubbies, broadcast in more than 120 countries and territories around the world; the double-BAFTA-winning In the Night Garden; BAFTA-winning Dipdap; and The Adventures of Abney & Teal, Rosie & Jim, Brum and internationally award-winning Open A Door.
In September 2013, Ragdoll Worldwide, a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, was acquired by DHX Media, a leading Canadian broadcaster, distributor and producer, which now owns the rights to the early Ragdoll catalogue including Teletubbies and In the Night Garden.
About DHX Television
DHX Television is comprised of Family Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior (English & French) and is part of DHX Media Ltd., a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Media Ltd. markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.’s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam, and is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.