Irish kids’ show ‘Nelly and Nora’ snapped up by international TV stations

A children’s animation series produced by an Irish company has been snapped up by TV stations in Britain and Germany and a book based on it has secured international distribution.

Nelly and Nora, which was premiered yesterday on the children’s channel RTÉjr, is the work of Geronimo Productions who pitched the series internationally. It was immediately snapped up by major world broadcast, distribution and publishing players.

BBC (CBeebies) secured the UK rights followed by BBC Worldwide, who then secured the rest of the world for international distribution and global CBeebies channels. It will air on the BBC in May.

Geronimo also landed a major deal with the largest broadcaster in Germany ZDF (KIKA).

The series, which was developed by Emma Hogan and directed by Jamie Teehan, is already selling well abroad and will air in many other countries this year.

“This is the perfect storm, the best terrestrial TV partners, world-class distributor and publisher, but most importantly the new talent of Emma Hogan and Jamie Teehan. I am humbled,” said Gerard O’Rourke, series creator and principal of Geronimo Productions.

Nelly and Nora will be launched internationally at BBC Worldwide’s Annual Showcase in Liverpool later this month and also at Kidscreen in Miami.

The series, aimed at preschoolers, follows the stories of two young sisters who spend their holidays and weekends with their parents at the family’s mobile home by the sea.

Speaking on his idea for the show, creator Gerard O’Rourke said: “This series was inspired by a regular family holiday in Wicklow and is based on our obsession as a nation with the weather.”

Gerard noticed that his own two daughters were always playing outside their holiday home, regardless of the weather, whereas adults always allowed it dictate their activities.

Nelly and Nora will soon be bringing the Irish obsession with the weather to international audiences as well, as the show will be broadcast and published through BBC Worldwide and Walker Books.

“We are looking forward to introducing our young audience to Nelly and Nora.

“They will love getting to know these two lively girls and we’re sure that CBeebies viewers will find two new friends in this charming series,” said Alison Stewart, head of CBeebies production, animation and acquisitions.