Sydney 16th June 2005 – Beyond Distribution’s blue-chip preschool title, NEW MACDONALD’S FARM (45 x 30’) has just been picked up for Family Channel in Canada.
The first series of this innovative title for children aged 2-5 years has captured international attention since its launch last year. The second series of 45 episodes is now in production.
The program follows the adventures of Farmer Max, his wife Milly and their animal friends and contains an exciting mix of studio pieces and live action stories. Focusing on concepts such as sharing and friendship, the series draws upon songs, dancing and storytelling to delight its young audience.
Sherry Fynbo, VP Sales, says “New MacDonald’s Farm has had amazing ratings success in Australia and I’m sure Family Channel will see the same results in Canada. The show is a perfect example of fun children’s programming that also reinforces some basic values and learning concepts.”
“We anticipate that Canadian children will respond enthusiastically to New MacDonald’s Farm,” says Kevin Wright, SVP Programming, Astral Television Networks. “The series promises to be a strong addition to Family Channel’s preschool programming block.”
The tremendous popularity of the show, screened on the Nine Network in Australia, has been bolstered by the success of the extensive range of NEW MACDONALD’S FARM merchandise now available in retailers around the country. The range includes CDs, DVDs/videos, toys, story-books, colouring and activity pads, luggage, apparel, homewares and much more.
NEW MACDONALD’S FARM has also been adapted into a live action show, which launches in theatres throughout Australia in June. The theatrical show follows the success of the New MacDonald’s Farm Mall Show, which has played to thousands of pre-schoolers across Australia since August 2004. The show sees Farmer Max and his wife Milly interacting with pre-schoolers about life on the farm and the antics of their animal friends and each show has been sold out within days of tickets going on sale.
Executive Producer of the show is Ron Saunders, one of Australia’s best known children’s producers, who is responsible for acclaimed quality programs such as Johnson and Friends, Magic Mountain, The Girl From Tomorrow and the big-budget sci-fi series, Spellbinder.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2004/5, Beyond is a leading independent distributor of world-class television programs, with offices in Dublin, Sydney, London and Washington. Beyond Distribution's name is synonymous with programmes of mass appeal to television audiences worldwide. Its current international sales catalogue comprises over 5,000 hours of top quality and multi-award winning programming, produced both by Beyond Productions, its production joint ventures and independent producers.
Beyond Distribution distributes programming from a growing roster of high-profile producers and broadcasters including Dorling Kindersley, UKTV, Pax TV, BBC, ABC Australia, Pilot Film & Television Productions, Beyond Productions, Greenstone Pictures, Top Shelf Productions, Chapman Pictures, Network Ten Australia and the Seven Network Australia. The Beyond catalogue covers a broad spectrum of genres including documentary, natural history, science, drama, children's entertainment, adventure, information and magazine programming.
For further information please contact:
Katie Johnson
T: +61 2 9437 2097
katie_johnson@beyond.com.au
or
Rhiannon Haughee
T: + 61 2 9437 2098
rhiannon_haughee@beyond.com.au
published: Thursday, June 16, 2005 
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