Mondo TV Group has announced that it has signed an agreement to licence its new children’s series Grisù to a major player in the vast Chinese market.
The agreement gives Youku, a platform leader in China in video on demand (VoD) distribution – and part of the globally known Alibaba global operating group – exclusive VoD rights to Grisù starting on 1 January 2024.
Mondo TV Group, Toon2Tango, Calidra and ZDF Studios are jointly co-producing the new series, which is based on the classic property Grisù, created by its original authors Nino and Toni Pagot. The brand-new series of Grisù will boast 52 new episodes of 12 minutes each and will make its small screen debut with a premiere on Rai Yoyo in Italy around Christmas 2023.
The series follows the adventures of Grisù, a brave, positive, determined young dragon – just like the firefighter he wants to be when he grows up. There’s just one problem: he is supposed to be a fire-breathing dragon when he grows up! This ambition is the theme of all of his adventures – and his positive can-do attitude will give his 4-to-7-year-old audience a little hero that they can identify with.
Co-producer ZDF Studios is responsible for the worldwide media distribution of the audio-visual rights to Grisù – excluding Italy, France, Spain and China, which are handled by Mondo TV. Already confirmed are broadcasting agreements with ZDF and Kika in Germany, and Rai YoYo in Italy, as well as the VoD deal with Youku.
Mondo TV manages L&M and merchandising internationally excluding GAS countries, which are managed by ZDF: with both partners, plans are well under way, including the key publishing and toy categories.
Grisù will be among the highlights of a very busy Mondo TV Group stand at its new location P-1.E73 at MIPCOM and MIPJunior.
Yuanchang Sun, heading up the international business for Youku Kids, says: “With a very strong reputation in children’s entertainment worldwide, Mondo TV content is guaranteed to perform well for global audiences. Grisù is a well-loved classic and, thanks to Mondo’s involvement, will be even more popular when it returns to our screens very soon.”
Mondo TV is delighted to welcome the enthusiastic backing of a large group such as Alibaba for one of Mondo TV’s flagship shows and IPs. As Luana Perrero, Mondo TV Head of Global Content Sales and Acquisitions, says: “The strong interest from major media players of the likes of Youku in Grisù is a confirmation of the continuing strength of our productions in highly competitive markets such as China. This is an extremely important deal in a major market for a series that we are certain will be strongly supported in many regions globally.”
