A bacus Media Rights

Frantic Films has unveiled a raft of deals for High Maintenance (8 x 60 minutes, pictured) and Killer in Plain Sight (52 x 30 minute series), brokered by Abacus Media Rights.

A look at the maintenance and repair teams responsible for keeping some of the world’s most impressive super-structures safe, High Maintenance has been acquired by the National Geographic Channel in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Asia; LRT in Lithuania; Discovery in the U.S. and Latin America; Koch Media in Germany; and Barcelona-based sales house Luk Internacional S.A.

Meanwhile, true crime series Killer in Plain Sight has been sold to Hulu in the U.S.; Crime + Investigation in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige; and Koch Media for distribution across the U.K., Malta, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland. Additionally, German sales house Palatin plans to license the show across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige.

“These are two very different series – both with broad international appeal and both produced to the high standard broadcasters have come to expect from Frantic Films. High Maintenance offers an innovative approach and unique behind-the-scenes access to these fascinating structures from all around the world whilst Killer in Plain Sight is binge-worthy TV that viewers are craving right now – they can follow detectives as the investigations slowly unravel to reveal the murderers who have been hiding in plain sight,” said Abacus Media Rights managing director Jonathan Ford in a statement.

Distribution360

Toronto-based Distribution360 has secured deals for several of its kids titles in the U.S., Italy and Thailand.

MathXplosion (50 x 3 minutes) and ScienceXplosion (45 x 3.5 minutes) were acquired by Italian public broadcaster RAI. Both shows for kids ages six to 11 are produced by Ottawa’s GAPC Entertainment, and they explore math and science in a fun and approachable way.

In the U.S., Genius Brands’ recently launched Kartoon Channel picked up animated series Atomic Betty, as well as Skyship Entertainment’s The Bumble Nums (12 x five minutes), Mr. Monkey, Monkey Mechanic (12 x five minutes), Carl’s Car Wash (13 x six minutes) and 100 episodes of Super Simple Songs (pictured).

U.S.-based educational SVOD platform Epic! also acquired Super Simple Songs, and renewed its existing license for MathXplosion. U.S. streamer Pure Flix, meanwhile, bought the first season of Treasure Champs (15 x 15 minutes), which encourages kids to develop positive attributes like kindness and wisdom.

Skyship Entertainment’s content was also hot in Thailand. Cineplex picked up a package of content for its True Visions branded channels and platforms in the region that includes more than 300 episodes spanning Super Simple Songs, Super Simple ABC Phonics Fun, Turn and Learn ABCs, Pratfall ABCs, The Bumble Nums, Treetop Family, Finley’s Factory, Paper Puppet Playhouse and Carl’s Car Wash.

Sinking Ship Entertainment

Alma’s Way is about to go global. Sinking Ship Entertainment has acquired global distribution rights outside of the U.S. for the animated series.

Produced by Fred Rogers Productions, Alma’s Way was created for PBS KIDS by Sonia Manzano, known to many as the character Maria on Sesame Street. Aimed at kids ages four to six, the show follows a six-year-old Puerto Rican girl living in the Bronx. Each episode models self-awareness, responsible decision-making and empathy, while also encouraging kids to ask questions and value their own ideas.

Production is underway on a 40 x 30-minute first season, and the series is set to launch in the US on PBS KIDS next fall, rolling out to international broadcasters shortly afterwards.

Alma’s Way will be animated by Pipeline Studios. Jorge Aguirre (Goldie & Bear) is on board as head writer, and Manzano and Fred Rogers’ Ellen Doherty are exec producers.

Sinking Ship recently expanded its international sales team by hiring Mehmet Gunduz to fill a newly created position as manager of TV sales for Latin America, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. And earlier this month, Canal+ Group picked up exclusive French-language rights to Sinking Ship’s Endlings series for France, Monaco, Andorra, Mauritius, Comoros and Madagascar.

With files from Kidscreen