Paris-based distributor PGS Entertainment has picked up the global distribution rights (excluding Finland, UK, Japan, China & South Korea) to Gutsy Animations’ Moominvalley. Aimed at kids and families, the 26 x 22-minute series from the Finish prodco premiered on commissioning broadcasters YLE (Finland) and Sky (UK and Ireland), as well as NHK (Japan) this spring. When the new series launched in Finland it was watched by 1.5 million people.

The series has already been pre-bought by unnamed broadcasters in China and South Korea.

The 3D/CGI- animated show is an adaptation of Finnish writer and artist Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories, which were first published in 1945 and have since been translated into more than 50 languages. It is also a successful licensing property around the globe, with annual revenues close to $1 billion, according to PGS. The show sees an idealistic troll named Moomintroll and his family take on grand adventures in a magical land.

Each episode cost around US$1.1 million dollars (EU$1 million), making it one of the most expensive shows in Europe, according to PGS. Marika Makaroff, Steve Box (Wallace & Gromit), John Wooley (Shaun the Sheep) executive produce the series, with Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler (Peter Rabbit) serving as the screenwriters.