Novel joins the Pocoyo team

Carlton International and Spanish studio Zinkia Entertainment have brought in Novel Entertainment to help develop and co-produce Pocoyo, a new CGI preschool series that’s been commissioned by CiTV. Having created The Fimbles for CBBC, Novel co-founder and executive producer Lucinda Whitely will script the 52 x seven-minute CGI series and work on developing its characters. The Brit prodco will also take care of casting and producing the U.K. version of the show.

Dargaud Group brings its diverse distribution efforts under one roof

On the heels of acquiring Ellipsanime from the Expand Group in Boulogne, France’s Dargaud Group has consolidated the international distribution of its kid- and family-oriented programming assets under a new banner. Dargaud Distribution will handle the worldwide catalogues of Storimages, Les Films de l’Arlequin, Folimages and Les Films du Triangle, as well as all future productions to come out of Darguard Marina and Ellipsanime. New titles that now fall under DD’s purview include Billy & Buddy for TF1 and Teletoon and the second series of Pirate Family for France 3 and WDR. Dargaud Marina’s deputy manager Guillaume Galliot will head up the distribution offshoot.

Cartoon Saloon picks Telescreen to make a big stink for Skunk

Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon has teamed up with Telescreen in the Netherlands to exploit its Cartoon Forum 2003 hit pitch Skunk. Under the new agreement, Cartoon Saloon will be the lead production studio on the 26 x half-hour 2-D toon, while Telescreen will handle all TV sales and ancillary rights, including gaming and publishing. The toon, which follows the Kung Fu exploits of an ill-placed skunk in China’s forest, will head into production this summer, and presale announcements are expected soon.