In the gear-up to MIPTV, Canadian animation powerhouse Nelvana Enterprises has locked in key deals for two of its hottest properties – giving Bakugan a wide international broadcast footprint and moving The Backyardigans into global DVD distribution.

Comfortably ensconced on Cartoon Network US, where it airs mid-morning on Saturday and Sunday, toy and TV phenom Bakugan will soon roll out internationally on CN channels in the UK, Europe (excluding Spain), Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan.

An action-adventure toon and collectible action figure/card line for boys six to 11, Bakugan centers around a band of Battle Brawlers who pool their skills and strategies to save Vestroia and Earth from imminent destruction. The property launched in Canada and Japan last year and quickly found purchase both on-air and at retail. The animated series is co-produced by Nelvana, Spin Master, Sega Toys, TMS Entertainment, Japan Vistek and Sega Corporation.

And in DVD news, Nelvana has given the nod to FremantleMedia Enterprises to handle worldwide home entertainment rights to The Backyardigans in every territory except the US and Canada. This marks the 60-episode CGI series’ first move into the international DVD market, and it builds on a UK-only deal the two companies inked last year covering the entire Nelvana catalogue.