Max Steel Makes Global Series Debut in 2013
Teen Action-Hero Max Steel Makes Global Series Debut
LONDON 5 OCTOBER, 2012: Mattel, Inc., and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), announced today a premier slate of international television sales including a major US broadcasting deal with Disney XD for Max Steel®. The action-adventure CGI animated series based on the Mattel franchise of the same name, Max Steel, will begin broadcast globally in spring 2013.
With buyers in more than 100 territories securing broadcast rights, Max Steel has procured and set the stage for a global viewing audience. FME, which has international distribution rights outside of the US, has confirmed sales of the series to: Cartoon Network and Boing in Italy and Spain; Lagardere in France; Canal Panda in Portugal; as well as two major multi-territory deals with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Disney XD.
Turner's kids' channels will bring Max Steel to audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Taiwan and the Philippines. Disney XD will broadcast the series in Central and Eastern Europe, South and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. These sales are in addition to a previously announced deal with Cartoon Network Latin America which has a footprint of more than 50 territories and where Max Steel is the No. 1 boy's brand.
"Max Steel is an immersive franchise experience that brings a relatable and positive superhero to kids, supported by a captivating storyline and compelling multi-platform content," said Mike Riley, VP Franchise Development and Content Distribution, Mattel Inc. "Launching on Disney XD in the US gives us the opportunity to introduce Max Steel to millions of families in partnership with a prominent kid's network."
Sander Schwartz, President, Kids & Family Entertainment FME, added, "In addition to having our ideal broadcast partner in the U.S. with Disney XD coming on board, we're delighted that Max Steel has found a home in so many territories around the world. We're confident this stunning CGI series will appeal to kids from one side of the planet to another."
A high-octane, action-packed superhero series, Max Steel® is about the epic adventures of earth bound teenager Maxwell McGrath and his out-of-this-world friend Steel. At the age of 16 Maxwell learns that he has the ability to generate "turbo energy", which he struggles to contain until meeting Steel. An alien "Ultralink", Steel gives Max the ability to harness its power while merging with his own to create one unified super force, Max Steel®. Not all is easy in superhero land though -- especially when dealing with two strong personalities. The mismatched duo must overcome their differences in style and temperament (often leading to comedic trials and tribulations) in order to create a heroic turbo team. Once combined together, Max and Steel serve to protect Earth from a never-ending array mayhem, monsters and extraterrestrial invasions as the galaxies greatest new superhero, Max Steel®.
The action adventure series will premiere on Disney XD with initially twenty-six half hour episodes.
Max Steel® is co-produced by Mattel and FME, with Nerd Corps Entertainment serving as the animation production studio. FME manages worldwide distribution of the series, as well as global home entertainment rights, with Mattel holding US television distribution rights.
About Mattel:
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT) (http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Hot Wheels R/C®, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Thomas & Friends®, Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2012, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fifth year in a row. Mattel also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 28,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play." Follow Mattel on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mattel.
About FremantleMedia and FremantleMedia Enterprises
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 92 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.