ShadowWolf
01-21-2002, 11:38 AM
I don't know if i should be posting this here or not, but I'll give it a try. I just thought this little bit of info might interest someone. Then again, maybe everybody knows this already and as usual, I'm late. If so, then I'm sorry, but I am limited on my time, can't always check everything. Here it goes:
From Variety:
''Pokemon'' producer wins Fox Kids block
Monday January 21 12:34 AM ET
By Paula Bernstein
NEW YORK (Variety) - The lucky winner of the Fox Kids time slot is ``Pokemon'' producer 4Kids Entertainment, which will pony up $25.3 million a year to lease the network's four-hour Saturday morning time period.
In addition to mega-hit ``Pokemon,'' 4Kids produces the animated action series ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix,'' both of which air on Kids' WB.
A heated bidding war between 4Kids and closely held DIC Entertainment helped drive up the price for the daypart to more than three times the $8 million that Discovery Communications agreed to pay NBC last month for its three-hour Saturday morning block. In addition, by waiting until after NBC did its deal, Fox's real estate became even more valuable to kiddie companies looking for a guaranteed outlet for their programming.
Industry insiders believe 4Kids won out over DIC because of the former's proven track record in creating hit franchises, as well as its extensive relationships with Japanese children's programming suppliers. Since Fox's stations will still be able to sell local ad time, the network apparently wanted to ensure that whoever landed the block could keep it successful. DIC's shows include ``Sonic the Hedgehog'' and ``Madeline.''
As part of the four-year deal, Fox has retained the right to preempt programming in the block several times a year for baseball or other sports.
Nickelodeon, which had been in the running for both NBC's and Fox's blocks, bowed out after the bidding reached $15 million.
While 4Kids is a TV, film, homevideo and music production company, the Gotham-based company has a heavy focus on licensing. In addition to ``Pokemon,'' ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix,'' the publicly traded company also represents Nintendo and Cabbage Patch Kids.
In October, 4Kids signed a five-year pact with Pokemon USA to continue serving as the exclusive licensing agent and rep of TV broadcast and homevideo rights to ``Pokemon'' outside Asia. In addition, 4Kids acquired a 3% interest in the Pokemon Co.
The ``Pokemon'' franchise has grossed more than $10 billion worldwide since its introduction.
Because 4Kids produces action-packed animation series that wouldn't fulfill the FCC's educational requirements for kids, it's possible that they'll sublet an hour of the block to another tot programmer. The other three hours can consist of commercial programming.
Since ``Pokemon,'' ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix'' air on Kids' WB, it's unclear what programming 4Kids plans to air on Fox. The company will be shopping new animated properties ``Kinnikuman,'' ``Ultraman Tiga'' and ``Tama and Friends'' at the Natl. Assn. of Television Program Eexecutives confab in Las Vegas this week.
Fox's Saturday morning ratings have slipped in recent years as the network lost viewers to Kids' WB, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Once News Corp. sold off Fox Family to Disney and returned its afternoon block of programming to affiliates, Fox -- without a promotional partner that could help amortize programming costs -- couldn't make the daypart worth its while financially. It's a stark change from the late 1990s, when ``Power Rangers'' helped Fox rule the broadcast kids audience.
Once the four-year term is up, 4Kids will be able to renew the deal for two more years.
Reuters/Variety REUTERS
From Variety:
''Pokemon'' producer wins Fox Kids block
Monday January 21 12:34 AM ET
By Paula Bernstein
NEW YORK (Variety) - The lucky winner of the Fox Kids time slot is ``Pokemon'' producer 4Kids Entertainment, which will pony up $25.3 million a year to lease the network's four-hour Saturday morning time period.
In addition to mega-hit ``Pokemon,'' 4Kids produces the animated action series ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix,'' both of which air on Kids' WB.
A heated bidding war between 4Kids and closely held DIC Entertainment helped drive up the price for the daypart to more than three times the $8 million that Discovery Communications agreed to pay NBC last month for its three-hour Saturday morning block. In addition, by waiting until after NBC did its deal, Fox's real estate became even more valuable to kiddie companies looking for a guaranteed outlet for their programming.
Industry insiders believe 4Kids won out over DIC because of the former's proven track record in creating hit franchises, as well as its extensive relationships with Japanese children's programming suppliers. Since Fox's stations will still be able to sell local ad time, the network apparently wanted to ensure that whoever landed the block could keep it successful. DIC's shows include ``Sonic the Hedgehog'' and ``Madeline.''
As part of the four-year deal, Fox has retained the right to preempt programming in the block several times a year for baseball or other sports.
Nickelodeon, which had been in the running for both NBC's and Fox's blocks, bowed out after the bidding reached $15 million.
While 4Kids is a TV, film, homevideo and music production company, the Gotham-based company has a heavy focus on licensing. In addition to ``Pokemon,'' ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix,'' the publicly traded company also represents Nintendo and Cabbage Patch Kids.
In October, 4Kids signed a five-year pact with Pokemon USA to continue serving as the exclusive licensing agent and rep of TV broadcast and homevideo rights to ``Pokemon'' outside Asia. In addition, 4Kids acquired a 3% interest in the Pokemon Co.
The ``Pokemon'' franchise has grossed more than $10 billion worldwide since its introduction.
Because 4Kids produces action-packed animation series that wouldn't fulfill the FCC's educational requirements for kids, it's possible that they'll sublet an hour of the block to another tot programmer. The other three hours can consist of commercial programming.
Since ``Pokemon,'' ``Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ``Cubix'' air on Kids' WB, it's unclear what programming 4Kids plans to air on Fox. The company will be shopping new animated properties ``Kinnikuman,'' ``Ultraman Tiga'' and ``Tama and Friends'' at the Natl. Assn. of Television Program Eexecutives confab in Las Vegas this week.
Fox's Saturday morning ratings have slipped in recent years as the network lost viewers to Kids' WB, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Once News Corp. sold off Fox Family to Disney and returned its afternoon block of programming to affiliates, Fox -- without a promotional partner that could help amortize programming costs -- couldn't make the daypart worth its while financially. It's a stark change from the late 1990s, when ``Power Rangers'' helped Fox rule the broadcast kids audience.
Once the four-year term is up, 4Kids will be able to renew the deal for two more years.
Reuters/Variety REUTERS