DHX Brands appoints Giochi Preziosi as Teletubbies toy distributor for Italy, Spain and Portugal

HALIFAX, July 21, 2015 /CNW/ - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. ("DHX" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), has signed an agreement with Italian toy company Giochi Preziosi to distribute Teletubbies toys in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Rollout of the line, which includes all plush (basic and feature); plastics (play-sets, figures, vehicles); and bath toys from Teletubbies master toy licensee Character Options, is expected to commence in each territory following broadcast. The deal follows the license of the new and classic Teletubbies series to Italian broadcaster Rai for its preschool-skewing channel, Rai YoYo.

Peter Byrne, EVP DHX Brands, said: "We are thrilled to have appointed Giochi Preziosi as our distributor in these territories as they bring a wealth of experience in the pre-school market as well as having a long-standing history with Teletubbies so are perfectly positioned for success."

Dario Berte, C.E.O of the Giochi Preziosi Group, said: "We are very pleased and proud to be working with DHX as the exclusive distributor of toys based upon the phenomenally successful Teletubbies franchise. We are confident that the new character collectibles, vehicles, playsets and role-play toys developed by Character Options will thrill an entirely new generation of preschool-aged boys and girls."

The timeless, unique and much loved Teletubbies are re-imagined for a new generation with 60 brand new episodes for 2015, starring Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. With rewarding rituals, sound play, and physical comedy, new generation Teletubbies will build upon many familiar and beloved features of the original series, while offering some exciting and surprising new developments too. With the Teletubby landscape replaced and replicated by a beautiful, detailed model that will be enhanced via CGI, there will be freedom to apply large doses of creative imagination to Teletubby stories. The wonderful new world of the Teletubbies will resonate with preschoolers, reflecting child development and learning in a stimulating and contemporaneous manner.

Worldwide phenomenon Teletubbies first launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children's brands of all time. It has reached more than one billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in more than 120 territories in 45 different languages. It was the very first western pre-school property to air on China's CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million children.

About Teletubbies
Originally created in 1997 Teletubbies is a children's television series targeted at preschool viewers. In September 2013, DHX Media acquired all rights to Teletubbies through its purchase of Ragdoll Worldwide, a joint venture between Ragdoll Productions and BBC Worldwide that owned, managed and exploited Ragdoll programming.

Multi award-winning, Teletubbies is designed to encourage young children to watch television creatively. Full of fun and exploration it inspires confidence and curiosity and nurtures childhood development. DHX Media has engaged award-winning UK production company Darrall Macqueen to produce Teletubbies. Together they are pioneering a 21st century version of the show for a new generation of viewers.

About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children's and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands' world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Make It Pop!, Slugterra,  and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.

About Giochi Preziosi
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Italy, the GIOCHI PREZIOSI GROUP is one of Europe's largest and most well established toy design, development, marketing and distribution companies and the unchallenged leader in the Italian market. The Group operates full service subsidiaries in all major European markets and is among the toy industry's most experienced entertainment licensing and children's marketing enterprises.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX including successful marketing and sales. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2014, and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which form part of the Company's registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.

Trade Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR, [email protected], [phone]; Financial Media: Shaun Smith - Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd., [email protected], [phone]; Investor relations: David Regan - EVP, Corporate Development, DHX Media Ltd., [email protected], [phone]