Barely a month before this year‘s MIP-TV, 3D animated series Bernard has passed another major milestone in its success story. Universal Pictures International Entertainment has bought the international DVD rights to the first season of 52 episodes. This ground-breaking deal for producer BRB International represents the first time that the Spanish company has entered into such a wide-ranging alliance covering so many countries. The agreement has been helped by the excellent reception which Bernard has enjoyed in the countries (50 and counting) where it has been sold so far. Universal has also acquired mobile rights to Bernard in the UK.
Universal will start its DVD launch programme in a number of countries over the course of this year. In addition to the 52 adventures – or rather, misadventures – of this unusually clumsy polar bear as he makes his anarchic journey around the world. The two DVD pack will feature attractive extras for the fans to enjoy, including a series of storyboards, artists‘ sketches and animatics of the lovable stars of the series: the eponymous polar bear himself, the eye-catching penguins Lloyd and Eva, the quicksilver lizard Zack and the bad-tempered little dog Goliath. And, another big surprise will be a karaoke in a series without any dialogue.
The series has already been acquired by nearly half the world‘s countries including France (M6, Teletoon), Germany (KIKA), UK (BBC), Italy (Mediaset & Nickelodeon), Spain (TVE, Jetix) Sweden (SVT), Denmark (DR), Russia (MUZ), Turkey (TV Samanyolu), Latin America (Disney), USA (Cartoon Network), Australia (ABC), Canada (Radio Canada), Middle East (Victory IP), South Korea (EBS) and Africa (M-Net). And now Bernard is moving into the world of mobile phones. OHM will allow mobile subscribers to download his adventures in Austria, as will Materna in Germany and Switzerland, and Kitio Mobile in Croatia and Slovenia. BRB is also rolling out its international merchandising programme. The WB Company has recently presented a range of toys and accessories in Germany, while Seven SPA is launching a wide range of stationery products in Italy.
In view of the phenomenal success of this series, BRB is already preparing a second season of 52 new Bernard adventures.