Teletubbies returning to Germany

KiKa has acquired the new Teletubbies, marking the return of the iconic preschool series in the German market.

KiKa, the kids net run by German pubcasters ARD and ZDF, aired the original version of the show in 1999 and has now acquired season one of the reboot.

DHX and UK prodco Darrall Macqueen produce the new series, which was commissioned by CBeebies in the UK and launched last year.

DHX owns the Teletubbies brand after acquiring the library of Ragdoll, the UK indie that created the show. It also distributes the series and has shopped the new version to Nick in the US. In Europe it has been acquired by Rai in Italy and Gulli in France among others.

“As we continue this global rollout, Germany is a key market, so we are thrilled that the region’s top kids’ channel, KiKA, has picked up the new series,” said Josh Scherba, executive VP of distribution and content at DHX Media.

“The original Teletubbies was a huge success in Germany, and we’re building on this fantastic heritage with the new series.”

CBeebies has ordered a second season of the series.