MONCHHICHI to Make U.S. Premiere on Boomerang

Monchhichi, the 2017 original CGI-animated series co-produced by Paris-based Technicolor Animation Productions and TF1 in collaboration with Sekiguchi based on the iconic lovable plush, will have its U.S. premiere on the Boomerang premium subscription streaming service. The deal was secured by PGS Entertainment, the global series distributor (excluding France).

Monchhichi are a community of brave and equally cute friends whose mission in life is to act as sleep custodians, creating dreams for children around the world. With guts and willpower, the Monchhichi always triumph in the end through creativity, teamwork, and of course, a little help from some good friends.

"We have had such an enthusiastic response from children around the world who have bonded with the big-hearted, sweet dream-creating, Monchhichi," commented Sandrine Nguyen, Co-Managing Director, Technicolor Animation Productions. "Each adventure is a whirlwind comedy, filled with action, humor and tenderness and we are delighted that Boomerang premium service will now bring their magical adventures to kids across the U.S."

Boomerang, a premium subscription service for families, kids and animation lovers, launched in April 2017 with a renowned animation library of titles from the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes franchises alongside a growing original series offering. Today, users enjoy instant access to over 3,000 titles for streaming or download-to-go. The service also offers a full Spanish language experience and universal search.

Monchhichi first debuted in October 2017 on TF1 and quickly became one of their top-performing shows. Other debuts followed across EMEA on RTVE - Clan (Spain), Canal Panda (Spain), OufTivi (Belgium), RTS (Switzerland) DeA Kids (Italy), Frisbee (Italy), RTL Telekids (Netherlands), NRK Super (Norway), MTVA (Hungary), Canal + (Poland), and AMC Networks (CZ and Slovakia). The series also had its Latin America debut in May this year on Discovery Kids.

The lovable plush, Monchhichi, were born on 26 January 1974 in Tokyo, providing comfort for young children and continues to serve as a nostalgic reminder for older age groups. Over 100 million dolls plus accessories have been sold in over 40 countries to date.

"Monchhichi is well loved by three generations of fans, and we are delighted that the cute, brave and smart characters in the CGI-animated Monchhichi TV series will now reach children across the U.S. on the Boomerang streaming service," added Christophe Millet, EMEA Sales and Marketing Manager, Sekiguchi.

Technicolor Animation Productions is the production arm of Technicolor's Animation and Games team, producing animated content. The team has a proven track record of bringing fan-favorite characters to screens across the globe. Technicolor Animation Productions handles all artistic direction and production of Monchhichi in close collaboration with Sekiguchi.

About Technicolor

The Technicolor Animation & Games family is home to world-leading creative and technology professionals committed to the development, creation, management, and delivery of animated entertainment content. Technicolor has development offices in Los Angeles and Paris and maintains studios in Paris, Montreal, Belgium, and Bangalore, creating high-quality computer-generated animation for motion pictures, television, direct-to-home, video games, 3D/4D location-based entertainment, and other content platforms. Our Technicolor Animation Productions (TAP) group is well-suited to produce content starring world-beloved characters, as well as develop and produce original intellectual properties. Technicolor partners with studios, networks, and licensing partners to create brands and amplify established ones.

About Technicolor Animation Productions

Headed by Sandrine Nguyen and Boris Hertzog, Technicolor Animation Productions (TAP) is the production arm of Technicolor's animation group. Staffed with over 100 artists, Technicolor Animation Productions has, in three years, produced more than 250 hours of programming broadcast by notable channels including Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, TF1, France TV, Gulli, M6, Gloob, and Super RTL. Our animated content airs globally, in over 180 countries.

The team has a proven track record of bringing fan-favorite characters to screens across the globe, including prestigious properties such as Monchhichi (52 x 11'), based on iconic doll from Sekigugchi (52 x 11'), co-produced by T.A.P & TF1 in collaboration with Sekiguchi; Alvinnn!!! & the Chipmunks (104 x 11') for M6 & Nickelodeon (USA) co-produced by Bagdasarian Productions; SONIC BOOM (104 x 11') for Gulli, Canal J and CN (USA) co-produced by SEGA; Mini WOLF (104 x 7') for France Télévision, and The Legendaires (26 x 22'), an adaptation of the famous comic book published by Editions Delcourt for TF1. Recently, Technicolor Animation Productions announced its two newest projects: the Sly Cooper series (52 x 11'), a co-production with Sony Interactive Entertainment based on the iconic video game; and Team DroniX (26 x 22') a pure original IP coproduced with France TV.Additionally, Technicolor Animation Productions is pursuing its acquisition of audiovisual adaptation rights for licenses and original properties.

About Boomerang

Boomerang was originally launched in the U.S. on April 1, 2000 as a television network and now is seen in over 144 million homes worldwide. Boomerang is Turner's global 24-hour, all-animation network for kids and families dedicated to showcasing both TIMELESS cartoons from the Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and MGM libraries, as well as exclusive acquisitions and original productions from around the world.

In April 2017, Turner and Warner Bros. partnered to launch Boomerang also as a standalone domestic premium video subscription service that would offer the massive Hanna-Barbera, Looney Tunes and MGM animation library of over 5,000 titles on a streaming platform. Boomerang provides audiences instant and exclusive access to both brand-new original series including Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, and TIMELESS franchises like Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, The Jetsons and The Flintstones among many others.

Turner, a Time Warner company, is a global entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. These efforts are fueled by data-driven insights and industry-leading technology. Turner owns and operates some of the most valuable brands in the world, including Adult Swim, Bleacher Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, ELEAGUE, FilmStruck, Great Big Story, HLN, iStreamPlanet, Super Deluxe, TBS, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TNT, truTV and Turner Sports.

Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the Studio stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital production and distribution, animation, comic books, videogames, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.

About Sekiguchi

Founded in 1918 by Mr. & Mrs. Sekiguchi, Sekiguchi is a 100% private family owned company specialized in doll manufacturing. Sekiguchi's head office is located in Tokyo, Japan, at the same place where it all started. Mr. Sekiguchi's grandfather first manufactured celluloid toys, a material that made it possible to create many forms--such as heads, bodies, legs and arms--which allowed the start of production of dolls. Born in 1935, Koichi Sekiguchi joined his father's company after attending university. In the early 70s, Koichi Sekiguchi had the ambition to create a product that delivered the message "a doll is gift from an angel,"and the idea of Monchhichi was born!

About PGS Entertainment

PGS Entertainment is an award-winning international brand-management company focused on kids and family content, targeting broadcast, home entertainment, digital, licensing, and merchandising.

Since its inception in 2008, PGS has been a partner to leading IP owners, providing strategic international media distribution for properties such as The Little Prince, Iron Man, Super 4, the Playmobil(R) series, the Jungle Bunch, Miraculous, and ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks. Today, PGS is one of the largest providers of animated media content to leading broadcasters and partners around the world.

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