Banijay Kids & Family Sells "The Little Prince" to Sky U.K (Exclusive)

"The Little Princess", the classic British preschool animation, is heading to Sky UK under a deal with Banijay Kids & Family, which is selling its full catalogue to the pay-TV network. New distribution agreements for "The Little Prince", a four-time BAFTA nominee, have been signed with Nordisk Film, RTV Slovenia and TIM Italy. According to […]

The classic preschool animation also has new deals with Nordisk Film, RTV Slovenia and TIMVision Italy.

British pre-school animated classic The Little Prince is moving to Sky UK in a deal with Banijay Kids & Family, which will see the pay TV buy its entire catalogue.

Further new distribution deals for the four-time BAFTA-nominated The Little Prince have been inked with Nordisk Film, RTV Slovenia and TIM Italy.

The Little Prince, based on the best-selling children's books by Tony Award-winning author and illustrator Tony Ross, premiered on UK's Channel 4 children's TV network Milkshake in 2006 and ran for four seasons of 135 episodes, ending in 2020. "A Few Months" Reshoot and "Progress Report" Presentation of 20-Year Production: "See You in 2040"

First, when on linear TV, "The Little Prince" was released in 140 regions. The deal announced by Banijay Kids & Family on Wednesday at Mipcom o underscores that what the market is looking for are evergreen brands, not necessarily brand new linear TV shows. Popular in Variety

However, The Little Prince has developed a fan base on YouTube and other platforms since 2008, underscoring its malleable appeal.

Sky U.K. has bought all series and specials. Nordisk Film has acquired seasons 1-3 and special episodes of the series for SVOD across Northern Europe; RTV Slovenia has seasons 1-2 and TIM Telecom Italia for its Italian streaming platform aggregator, TIMVision.

The Little Prince is produced by The Illuminated Film Company, also behind Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories and RTS Award-winning Dave Spud's Junk World.

Set in a comfortable world of soft color-blocking, ever-blue skies, low hills with lovely grass stretching to the horizon, and a purple-brick castle, The Little Prince illuminates the antics of the ever-curious and lovable title character.

With permanent yellow crowns and mildly crooked teeth, he faces problems every day — like scratching after a very minor accident in "I Need a Plaster." Pampered by her parents and the cast, she learns that she may be a princess but she doesn't always get it her way. Each episode, as Banijay Friends is called, is a mix of family humor and warm friends.

Across the industry, we're seeing continued demand for reliable, established IP that can cut through in an increasingly crowded landscape. With a new UK home on Sky and its partners across Europe, 'The Little Prince' demonstrates the enduring value of distinctive characters and storytelling that audiences know and love," said Julia Rowlands, VP Sales, Co-Productions & Acquisitions, Banijay Kids & Family. Lead production companies - Monello Productions, Movimenti Production, Procidis, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, Zodiak Kids & Family France, and Zodiak Productions UK – bringing together France, Italy, and the UK.

The brand is behind popular children's brands including 'Totally Spies!', 'Mr Bean', 'Once Upon a Time...', 'LoliRock', 'Super Happy Magic Forest', 'Street Football' and 'Mini Heroes of the Forest'.