DHX Media, CBBC, Family CHRGD announce drone contest series, Airmageddon

Brand new series created by Conceive Media
set for UK, Canadian broadcast

 

 DHX Brands to handle licensing and merchandising

HALIFAX, Dec.10, 2015 /CNW/ - DHX Media ("DHX" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families, has been commissioned by CBBC in the UK to produce two seasons of Airmageddon (24x22'), a brand new series produced by DHX in association with Conceive Media.

The show has also been picked up by DHX Television's Family CHRGD channel for broadcast in Canada. Global distribution will be handled by DHX Media with licensing managed by its dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm, DHX Brands.

Created by Steve Carsey, whose previous format creations include Robot Wars, The Match and Techno Games, Airmageddon is a brand new concept in mechanised competition, comedy and entertainment for kids of all ages.

Welcome to the ultimate test of aerial skill, conflict and competition, featuring state-of-the-art radio controlled drones in a remote-controlled contest for supremacy. Inside the 'Airena' the show's 'Magnificent Kids and Their Flying Machines' compete in an eccentric and entertaining spectacle of aerial skill, strategy and wits. The show revels in the fantastical, imaginative use of whizzbang technology in a competitive, funny and spectacular environment. It empowers kids and puts them in control of the action as they get to play a living breathing video game, which can only be mastered through skill, strategic thinking and team work. Four teams enter each heat, but only one will emerge victorious!

Airmageddon is set to premiere on CBBC in the New Year and on Family CHRGD in Spring 2016. Presenters will be Will Best and Rachel Stringer. Commissioner for CBBC is Cheryl Taylor and Hugh Lawton is executive produce for the channel.

Cheryl Taylor, Controller of CBBC says: "Airmageddon is going to be a high octane entertainment extravaganza testing our young contestants to the limit as they battle to determine which team can claim ultimate mastery of daring drone-control skills"

"The entertaining, competitive and unpredictable nature of Airmageddon makes it a natural fit for Family CHRGD – a network that takes everyday adventures and makes them extraordinary," said Michael Serafini, Vice President, Programming, DHX Television. "With video games top of mind for a lot of kids, the integration of gaming technology into programming combined with the competition element positions this show to be popular with viewers and contestants alike."

Ken Faier, SVP & GM at DHX Studios, added: "We're really excited by the series which combines excitement, creativity, and skill in a thrilling aerial competition. Conceive Media has the preeminent track record in this type of show, and with CBBC and Family CHRGD already on board alongside DHX Brands to maximise the licensing potential, we have a very strong foundation to launch the series globally."

About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families. Owner of the world's largest independent library of kids' and family content, at more than 11,000 half-hours, DHX Media is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media is comprised of four main business units: DHX Studios creates high-quality original entertainment at its Vancouver and Halifax animation studios, its Toronto live-action studio, and in working with top international producers; DHX Distribution is a major provider of content to the global market; DHX Television, home to the Family suite of channels, is dedicated to delivering best-in-class programming to Canadian families; and DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and managing high-profile global entertainment brands within the children's and young-adult markets. DHX Media also owns the full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), which represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in 15 cities worldwide, including Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich, Amsterdam and Beijing. The Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol DHXM, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols DHX.A and DHX.B.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including the completion of a production and the timing of a television debut. 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]