Banijay sales arm Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution has acquired global distribution rights to 2D-animated preschool series The Game Catchers.

Co-produced by Italy’s Studio Bozzetto and Montreal-based Sphere Media, the 52 x seven-minute toon launched last year on commissioning pubcasters RAI Kids in Italy and ICI Radio-Canada Télé and TVOKids in Canada. It was later picked up by Wing Sight (China), Ceska Televize (Czechia), RTÉ (Ireland), CBeebies (UK) and MediaCorp (Singapore). 

Bozzetto and Sphere are currently producing a second season of the show, which stars a team of alien children who go on interstellar journeys. Through their travels, they explore different planets and make friends with each one’s inhabitants by learning different playground games. 

In other Banijay news, Banijay France has promoted French actor/producer Alexia Laroche-Joubert to serve as its new CEO. She replaces Francois de Brugada on September 1, and will oversee the growth of the prodco’s French portfolio, which includes unscripted game shows Good Luck Guys and Les Cinquante (The Fifty).