Sprout buys Maya, Sydney

NBC’s US children’s channel Sprout has acquired European- and Australian-produced cartoon series.

One deal with Studio 100 Media sees the network buy the 78x12mins CGI series and 3D feature film of Maya the Bee, while the other, brokered by distributor Bejuba! Entertainment, is for Essential Media and Entertainment’s preschool animation Sydney Sailboat.

The series of Maya the Bee is a coproduction between Studio 100 Animation, France’s TF1 and Germany’s ZDF, while the movie is a copro between Studio 100 and Buzz Studios in association with Australia’s Flying Bank Productions.

Sydney Sailboat, known as Bubble Bath Bayin Australia, comes from Essential is association with Shambles Communications, Ideate Media, Telegael Teoranta and Lemon Sky, and is for ABC Kids.

Sprout’s senior VP, Andrew Beecham, acquired the series.