Mike The Knight Gallops Into France On TF1

Corus Entertainment Inc.’s Nelvana Enterprises announces that it is finalizing an agreement with broadcaster TF1 in France for the sale of Mike the Knight, the new CGI-animated series for preschoolers currently in production by Nelvana Studio and HIT Entertainment.

Press Release from Nelvana Enterprises

(February 22, 2011 – Toronto, Canada) – Corus Entertainment Inc.’s Nelvana Enterprises announces that it is finalizing an agreement with broadcaster TF1 in France for the sale of Mike the Knight, the new CGI-animated series for preschoolers currently in production by Nelvana Studio and HIT Entertainment.

Mike the Knight (52 x 12-minute episodes), which is scheduled for delivery this fall, takes audiences into a rich, CG-animated world of castles, quests, dragons and trolls. With his rallying cry, “Be a knight, do it right!”, the heroic Mike brings the excitement and enchantment of medieval times into the life of the modern preschooler. The series was created by Alexander Bar (Lunar Jim) and is penned by Marc Seal (Head Writer, Bob the Builder).

“Along with our co-production partner HIT Entertainment, we are thrilled TF1 has acquired Mike the Knight. With its truly unique and exciting storylines, along with rich visuals, we are confident the series will be a big hit with preschoolers and their families around the world,” said Colin Bohm, Vice President and Managing Director, Nelvana Enterprises.

“We are pleased to enrich our strong preschool schedule with Mike the Knight. This new series will add value and keep building our positive ratings for this young target,” added Yann Labasque, Director of Youth Programmes for TF1.

Mike the Knight will air in Canada this fall on the #1 preschool service, Treehouse, with more international broadcasters to be announced soon. Nelvana Enterprises has broadcast and home entertainment rights in Latin America and France, as well as broadcast rights in the U.S. HIT holds the rights in all other territories globally.

About Mike the KnightIn the medieval land of Glendragon lives Mike, a boy with a big future. The son of the King and Queen, Mike is determined to grow up to be a great and noble knight just like his dad. This brave hero is joined on many an adventure by his companions Squirt and Sparkie - two extraordinary and eccentric dragons, and his trusty steed Galahad. Mike’s sister Evie, a trainee wizard, often tries to lend a hand, even though her spells often hinder than help her brother’s progress! Along the way, Mike discovers the power of responsibility and doing things the right way, abiding by his triumphant motto of “Be a knight, do it right!”

About Corus Entertainment Inc.Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing and children’s animation. The Company’s multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com. About HIT EntertainmentHIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Roary the Racing Car™ in North America, as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com. About TFOUAs TF1’s youth programming block, TFOU is French kids’ under 10 favourite and leading morning programme. TFOU, it is also original features: innovation, exclusivity and events i.e. 1000 hours of programs per year with over 76% European creations. Animated series, short live action, civic commitments, events, games… TFOU supports, every year, animation production and the development of about six co-productions in partnership with French and foreign animation producers.