9 Story builds European distribution effort

Canada-based 9 Story is upping its distribution efforts, opening a new operation, 9 Story Distribution International, in the wake of MIPCOM.

The new international unit follows the acquisition of Dublin-based Octonauts prodco Brown Bag Films, and the hire of kids TV veteran Alix Wiseman from Aardman.

Speaking to TBI in Cannes this week, Wiseman said she is on the hunt for new content to add to the 9 Story catalogue.

She said comedy shows for 6-to12s are a priority, as is live-action for that demo. It will also look at preschool, but is well-stocked in that respect so it is less of a key category in terms of acquisition targets.

“I would say we want a good handful of pick-ups a year, probably in the region of 5-to-7 titles,” she said.

9 Story’s key shows include Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks and Peg + Cat (pictured) and the catalogue comprises 2,150 half hours of kids programming.

“There is live-action in the catalogue and we will continue to acquire that, and we’re open to acquiring features as well,” Wiseman said.

She added that the advent of SVOD and digital services continues to shake-up kids TV. “SVOD has opened things up,” she said. “In terms of the number of episodes, the duration of these, and in other areas, it is an opportunity, especially for creator-led projects.” 

9 Story is owned by senior management, Zelnick Media Capital and media investor Neil Court.