CBeebies orders Dirtgirlworld
- Published: 03 June 2008 12:48
- Author: Michael Rosser
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 03 June 2008 13:20
CBeebies has commissioned a new animated series for older preschoolers that encourages them to play outdoors and "get grubby".
Dirtgirlworld is being made by Canada's Decode Entertainment in coproduction with Australia's Mememe Productions. It is the first time that Decode – owned by AIM-listed DHX Media – has embarked on a copro with an Australian partner.
Other broadcasters on board the 52 x 11-minute series include public broadcasters ABC, in Australia, and CBC, in Canada.
Targetting kids aged 3-7, the series blends animation with photomontage and uses music to tell the tales of Dirtgirl, a gumboot-wearing youngster who grows veg and drives a large orange tractor.
The series also features her friends that include Scrap Boy, Grubby, Ken the Weevil, Hayman the monosyllabic scarecrow, Roger the Rooster and the Chicks.
It was created by Cate McQuillen and Hewey Eustace of Mememe who, with Jenny Lalor, will executive produce the series alongside Decode's Steven DeNure, with Beth Stevenson as production.
Decode Enterprises will handle worldwide distribution and merchandising and licensing rights for the series. This excludes the UK, which will be represented by BBC Worldwide, and Australia that will be overseen by Mememe.
Michael Carrington, controller of CBeebies, said: "We are always on the look out for innovative and distinctive ideas and Dirtgirlworld is the perfect example of that. We are thrilled that the series is joining our programme portfolio."
