BBC shops kids series to CCTV

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK public broadcaster the BBC, has sold its hit preschool kids series In the Night Garden to CCTV. Worldwide said the deal means the series will broadcast to a potential audience of 300 million Chinese preschoolers.

The Chinese state broadcaster has picked up all 100 episodes of the series, which is produced by UK indie Ragdoll Productions, which also created Teletubbies, another iconic kids show that the BBC shopped to China.

Worldwide has also appointed a Chinese agent to handle licensing and merchandizing activities around In The Night Garden. UYoung will launch the first branded products in China later this year.