Toronto-based Nelvana has secured an $86.5-million credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada.

‘This facility will support Nelvana’s 1999 production requirements while providing for a more balanced capital structure,’ says Michael Hirsh, Nelvana co-ceo.

In other company news, cbs has renewed Nelvana series Anatole, Flying Rhino Junior High and Mythic Warriors: Guardians of the Legend. The u.s. network has also ordered an additional three new series for its Saturday morning program.

The new 13-episode animated programs are Blaster, adapted from an educational cd-rom series featuring the adventures of an Earth boy and alien girl; Rescue Heroes, an action-adventure centering on a group of heroic characters merchandised by Fisher-Price Toys; and The New Tales From The Cryptkeeper, based on Nelvana’s previous series, of which 26 episodes have already been produced.

The company has also struck a deal with Teletoon France to provide the cable and satellite channel with 200 half-hours of animation programming per year.

Teletoon France has also committed to coproducing one project per year with the Toronto animation studio. Flying Rhino Junior High is the first project under the deal.