WDR to build Little Sandman on Crosiette

Cologne’s WDR Mediagroup (WDRmg) will introduce international buyers cult German-language kids series Little Sandman to buyers at MIPTV.

The bedtime show has been on air in German-speaking territories since 1959, and now pubcaster WDR has taken on international rights and will debut in Cannes.

WDRmg subsidiaries RBB and RBB Media previously sold the show, and WDR is now shopping TV broadcasting, DVD and VOD rights to the series outside of German-speaking territories.

The current Little Sandman comprises 24 episodes, and these will be accompanied by 39 episodes of Kalli and Jan & Henry, plus 26 episodes of Timmi the Rocketeer and Lennart in Grumble Valley.

Klaus Wilhelm Baumeister, CEO of RBB Media: “We’re looking forward to collaborating with a strong partner like WDRmg, which has an excellent reputation in international distribution.”

Andrea Zuska, chief content officer at WDRmg, said: “Our co-operation with RBB Media enables us to bundle additional titles from the ARD family portfolio and make them known beyond the borders of Germany.

“Plus there is a strategic aspect to our taking over the international programme sales of Jan & Henry – we’re acting as licensing and merchandising agency for this title too, which enables us to implement an integrated brand management at the international level.”