The bbc has purchased all 130 episodes of tvontario’s flagship series Polka Dot Shorts, making it the first tvo-produced children’s program on the bbc.

The eight-minute programs will air in the bbc’s preschool time slot between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. starting Jan. 1, 1999. tvo anticipates that this deal will create u.k. licensing opportunities as well.

The program has also aired on cbc since January and has been sold to more than 35 countries including Ireland, Israel, China, South Africa, Namibia, Australia and many Latin America territories.