De Agostini buys 60 hours from Zodiak Kids

Zodiak Media’s Italian parent company, De Agostini, has acquired a 60 hour-plus programming package from children’s content division Zodiak Kids.

The deal hands De Agostini Editore’s Italian free TV channel DeA Super! seasons two and three of Escape from Scorpion Island, comprising 60 half-hours; and the first two seasons of Tele Images-produced Sally Bollywood, comprising 104 13-minute episodes.

Seasons one and two (20x15mins and 20x11mins) of The Foundation’s Big Barn Farm will go on De Agostini’s DeAJunior pay TV channel.

“Today’s agreement underlines the strong working relationship with our colleagues in Italy and we are delighted partnering with them on this deal,” said Zodiak Kids’ senior VP, global sales and coproductions Karen Vermeulen. “As leading broadcast platforms in the territory, Super! and DeAKids will give our children’s brands excellent exposure and significant reach into the Italian marketplace.  We look forward to building on our partnership with De Agostini.”

De Agostini already runs Zodiak-produced shows such as The Ranch. The firm acquired the Zodiak business in 2008 and later merged it with RDF Media after acquiring the UK business as well.