Pukeko Pictures’ The WotWots to Launch on CCTV 11 in China
Wellington, New Zealand, January 29 2013….
The internationally successful television series, The WotWots from Pukeko Pictures will soon begin broadcasting on CCTV 11’s programming block, Happy Playhouse. The pre-school
series is currently broadcast in over 100 countries and has been very well received by both children and parents in
China for its high quality animation and strong educational value.
The broadcast will go to air in early 2013 and will consist of 78 episodes, 26 of which have been co-produced with
Pukeko Pictures’ Chinese partner, Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ). Renowned Chinese painter, Mr. Mi Jinming contributed to
the specially co-produced episodes by adding classic Chinese Ink Painting elements to give the series a local and
cultural touch-point.
Mr. Li Chumbo, Deputy Director of the Program Department of CCTV11, and Director/Council Member of the Chinese Dramatist
Association and Chinese Calligraphy Association sees the program as a unique cultural and artistic integration of New
Zealand state of the art animation and Chinese drama and calligraphy.
“The WotWots was introduced in China on the CCTV broadcast platform in 2011. Since then, the popularity for DottyWot and SpottyWot
has continued to grow and we are thrilled they will now be seen on the very popular Happy Playhouse programming line-up
on CCTV 11. The integration of Mr. Mi Jinming’s Chinese Ink Painting elements will give the series a local relevance
while still maintaining its universal themes” said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive, Pukeko Pictures.
The viewing audience of CCTV 11 enjoys close to 1/10th of the population in China and continues to grow significantly
since the channel launched 10 years ago. Happy Playhouse has become a popular programme block for children, drawing in
preschool, primary and middle school students as well as their parents nationwide based on its fun and educational
focus.
This broadcast deal follows on from the recent partnership between Pukeko Pictures and Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ) with
the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy to establish the “International Animation Technology Joint Research
Centre” to actively promote the development of animated projects and open up the expanding international, Chinese and
film and television markets.
Formed to promote film and television cultural exchange between China and New Zealand, and develop animation technology
in the synergy of enterprise, academia and institutional research, the deal between the three parties will also provide
a platform for collaboration in the film and television fields between Chinese entities and international enterprises.
Pukeko Pictures
Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of
excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir
Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the
world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the
creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.
ENDS