Nickelodeon acquires Winx Club

International kids network Nickelodeon has acquired the worldwide rights to hit Italian animated series Winx Club after striking a deal with producer and distributor Rainbow.

The move will see the Viacom-owned broadcaster air the series across a number of its territories and will also co-develop and coproduce the fifth and sixth season of the show.

Winx Club has been a massive international success since it was created by Igninio Straffi in 2000. The show originally aired on Italian public broadcaster Rai Due but has since been sold to over 100 territories.

The show, which features six magical fairies, will air on Nickelodeon in the United States, Latin America, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Benelux. Nickelodeon, which has also acquired merchandising rights to the property in these countries, will introduce the series next year in a number of four hour-long specials as well as episodes from seasons three and four, before launching season five and six in 2012.