Marking the first major milestone for Universal's newly formed family entertainment label, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions (USHEFP) today announced that it has commenced production on 26 episodes of a new animated TV series, The Land Before Time. The series is slated to debut on Cartoon Network in 2007 and will be subsequently distributed on DVD by Universal.
A billion-dollar property that is considered one of the most successful feature-length children's home entertainment franchises of all time, "The Land Before Time" movies, which boast of 11 valued installments over a 17-year period, collectively have sold more than 60 million units worldwide. The TV series will include many of franchise's most memorable characters, including Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike and Chomper in all new adventures. It will be created using a combination of 2-D animation and 3-D backgrounds.
"There is a huge consumer demand for high-quality, family-friendly content both on television and in the home entertainment arena," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Universal is committed to tapping its vast catalogue of world-renowned entertainment brands, as well as finding compelling new material, to inspire the creation of original films and series that will serve this growing marketplace."
Added Glenn Ross, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions: "We are thrilled to be able to extend the success of this prized franchise to yet another vital platform. The Cartoon Network is widely recognized for its trademark quality programming, and we look forward to combining the new 'The Land Before Time' series with the network's esteemed lineup of children's offerings."
"We are very excited to partner with Universal on such a beloved property," said Terry Kalagian, Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Cartoon Network. "'The Land Before Time' movies are a great addition to our programming line-up and we look forward to our favorite returning characters, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike, and the addition of some new ones in expanding the story of 'The Land Before Time.'" | 
08-09-2005, 06:33 PM
