A Stark Production and WildBrain, together with Infinite Studios, have confirmed new international broadcast partners for its global animated hit series The Deep.
As the exclusive global distributor for the series, WildBrain has secured new deals with Rockbot (US) for season one; Club Illico (Canada) for seasons one and two; RTE (Ireland) for seasons three and four; NRK (Norway) for seasons one, two and four; and France Télévisions for season four.
With over 100 broadcasters around the world, including commissioning broadcaster ABC (Australia), The Deep continues to be a global top performer. As previously announced, in 2021 ABC in Australia greenlit 13 new half-hour episodes for season four, alongside Mediacorp and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, with the support of Screen NSW, bringing the total number of episodes in the series to 65 half hours.
New consumer products, learning resources and awards
In addition to the brand’s success on-screen, The Deep continues to engage fans off-screen.
Underlying rights holder, Australia’s A Stark Production has recently secured a licensing deal with BMS Brands Australia who has partnered with ABC for a range of 3D puzzles for ages 5+ which are now available via Amazon and the Nile Group in Australia. The puzzle range will also be available from Mr. Toys stores in Australia from September this year.
Australian Children’s Television Foundation, the series’ Australian distributor, has also secured a partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum’s educational and digital departments to create a The Deep learning resource https://actf.com.au/the-deep-learning-resource . Created for years 3-6 classes, it has been mapped to subjects including science, design and technologies, sustainability, media arts, English and critical and creative thinking which are aligned to the Australian curriculum.
The Deep has also recently won several awards including Best Music for Children’s Programming in the 2022 Screen Music Awards, a Bronze win for Children’s TV series in the 2022 Australian Effects and Animation awards as well as was nominated for Best 3D Animated Program in the 2022 Asian Television Awards.
Avrill Stark, CEO of A Stark Production, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to see The Deep picked up by even more international broadcasters – with stories that are wonderfully submersive, exciting and filled with mystery, the show is truly a delight for young global audiences. As an exciting brand of entertainment, The Deep is really finding its voice through a diverse range of broadcasters, public spaces, and educational channels and now gives our audience the opportunity to engage with the series in so many new and fun ways.”
Caroline Tyre, VP Global Sales & Rights Strategy at WildBrain, said: “The Deep is rich in adventure with entertaining storylines and compelling characters and it’s no wonder the show is so popular. It’s a joy to continue sharing it with new audiences around the globe and to watch families discover the on-screen journey into the unknown depths of the ocean.”
In season four of The Deep, after searching for generations, the Nekton family have finally found the fabled city of Lemuria, unlocking secrets and tantalizing mysteries. But the greatest discovery they’ve made is also the most shocking: proof that Ant and Fontaine’s grandparents made it to Lemuria! The Nektons had given up on ever seeing their loved ones again – but now they have hope. Now their most important search begins. While encountering more legends and myths, pirates and leviathans, the Nektons will explore The Deep…in search of their family.
Australia’s A Stark Production, has handled the scripting, storyboarding and design, and original music score of the new series, while Canada’s WildBrain has overseen directors, cast and voice recording, and postproduction on the new episodes. Singapore’s Infinite Studios has undertaken layout, animation, FX, lighting, and composition.
Previous seasons of the internationally successful show have been sold to over 130 markets. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation handles distribution rights for Australia and New Zealand, with Infinite Studios managing rights for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and China. WildBrain oversees sales for the rest of the world.
Developed for a truly global audience of 8 to 12-year-olds, The Deep is based on the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series, which was created by multi-award-winning, best-selling comic book author and playwright Tom Taylor (Superman, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Wolverine, Iron Man, Batman: The Detective, Star Wars: Age of Resistance) and co-creator, artist James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond), and published by Wolfgang Bylsma and Skye Ogden’s Gestalt Comics.