DHX Brands renews Golden Bear's UK & Eire master toy license for In the Night Garden

Follows standout year for the hit pre-school brand

HALIFAX, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media ("DHX" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), has renewed its In the Night Garden master toy deal with Golden Bear for an additional five years. The renewal covers the UK & Eire, and follows a very successful year in those territories for the hit pre-school property, where it is one of the fastest-selling pre-school toy licenses and a top-five pre-school brand overall, according to leading retail tracking firm, NPD Group. 

Future new product development from Golden Bear will include a Pinky Ponk toy line to complement the existing popular range, including the In the Night Garden Talking Soft Toys assortment and Ninky Nonk Musical Activity Train, which were in the top 5 pre-school licensed items in 2015 in value, according to NPD UK/Eire figures. The award-winning Ninky Nonk Musical Activity Train, sold in excess of 65k units in the first six months of launch in 2014 and has remained in the top 10 licensed pre-school items for the last 18 months, according to NPD UK/Eire figures.

Golden Bear has also secured from DHX Brands the UK & Eire toy rights for the new In the Night Garden Baby licensing programme and is looking at developing products for a standalone nursery toy range expected to launch Spring/Summer 2017.

Tom Roe, Commercial Director, DHX Brands, said: "In the Night Garden is perennially popular among young viewers, and Golden Bear has done an excellent job in managing and growing the brand. They have developed a superb toy line which has achieved strong sales. Extending our relationship with Golden Bear will allow us to build on this success and further expand the popular toy range. We anticipate further growth for this much loved brand as In the Night Garden approaches its 10-year anniversary in 2017."

Barry Hughes, Golden Bear's Commercial Director, added: "Golden Bear is delighted to be extending our contract on In the Night Garden. We have fantastic new product ideas coming to market and will be looking to drive sales to an even higher level in 2016 and beyond."

DHX Media's In the Night Garden (100 x 30'), produced by Ragdoll Productions, is a multiple award-winning and highly successful children's television series that has achieved significant brand success. In addition to a deal with CBeebies which will see the series airing on the channel until at least 2021, the show is an international hit, airing in 36 countries and translated into 19 languages.

In 2015, In the Night Garden was boosted through new branding, a new website (www.inthenightgarden.com), an integrated social media and marketing plan, high profile events and brand new style guide. It is also the only stage show to run a live tour for five consecutive years and has proven success outside its domestic market with a top-ten international brand position in China.

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.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including the development of new toy lines and the timing for launching such toy lines, results of operations and benefits to be derived from the contractual arrangement with Golden Bear, and growth of the series In the Night Garden and the licensing operations of DHX Media associated with such series. 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 most recent Annual Information Form 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]