Brit Allcroft acquires Media Merchants

The prodco behind Thomas the Tank Engine forked over US$22 million to buy Media Merchants, creators of Art Attack! AA! Is a co-pro with ITV and is distributed worldwide by Walt Disney International Television in France, Spain, Germany and Italy.

Sony Wonder sees red

The New York-based prodco acquired the international distribution rights to Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford the Big Red Dog TV series, which debuted on PBS in the fall. Sony Wonder’s rights exclude the U.S., Canada, China and Chinese-speaking territories.

Sullivan and Egmont divisions cross the pond

Toronto-based prodco Sullivan Entertainment moved its international sales arm to London in search of European co-pros. The London office will act as a base for an international expansion drive. Securing co-financing deals is the main purpose of the outfit, but setting up the London office as a production operation is also a future possibility.

Denmark-based Egmont Imagination has also set up an office in London. Egmont Imagination UK, headed by former GEM sales manager Tatiana Kober, provides Egmont with a U.K. base of operations as it expands into live-action, teen-geared series and family shows. The outfit’s primary focus is also to secure co-pros and co-financiers.