In a new partnership with Italian prodco Rainbow, Nickelodeon has snapped up broadcast rights to the first four seasons of Winx Club for the US and pay-TV rights for Latin America, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Benelux. Nick will also co-develop and co-produce seasons five and six of the animated girl-skewing action/fantasy series and rep the property’s L&M biz in those territories.

Seasons five and six are being built around the property’s core of six magical fairy characters that have won girl fans the world over. Each 26-ep season will launch on Nickelodeon in the US and internationally (with the exception of Italy) in 2012.

Prior to launching the new seasons, Nickelodeon will introduce the series on the network in 2011 by airing four hour-long animated specials based on seasons one and two, as well as the episodes from seasons three and four. Nickelodeon has also acquired all merchandising rights to Winx Club within the US, Latin America, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Benelux.

Nickelodeon intends to tap the franchise’s proven success with girls ages six to eight. Winx Club first debuted in Italy six years ago and quickly became a hit that has generated an international franchise, including two feature films, and selling myriad toys, books, clothing, and DVDs.