New Orleans: ChumCity International stirred up the natpe 2000 cocktail last month, bringing distinctive Citytv program formats to the market floor.

What’s for sale with ‘franchise and format rights’? cci vp Stephen Tapp gives the list: concept, operating systems, studio design, storefront design, technology, programming, creative know-how.

‘When you do a joint-venture, format-rights-deal licence agreement, it’s a long-term agreement, usually five to 10 years…and it’s a true collaboration,’ he says.

When Citytv Bogota goes to air next month, the station will sport the look of City Toronto. Chum has not yet exercised its option to take an equity position there, but Tapp says the station will feature a 60-minute block daily from the country’s MuchaMusica station.

Chum holds 8% equity in Citytv Helsinki, where partner Alma Media has won four digital licences, one to air in the Finnish capital and three in other cities, each with the City format. Chum also has a five-year-old presence on Finnish cable via Jyrki, a 90-minute youth programming block also being done with Alma Media. Begun in 1995 and produced by Funny Films, Jyrki is a youth programming block in which Chum has a 23% interest. Tapp says Jyrki, in turn, spawned the broader concept for tvtv! Finland, which launched earlier this month. Again, Alma Media is a partner, but Chum has no equity investment.

Salter Street Films says it found the market ‘brisk’ this year, and lists numerous sales. Most active was Lexx: Salter sold all three seasons to Global Japan for the Sci-Fi Channel. Other recent sales were to Citytv Colombia, TV6 Moscow and Red Uno Bolivia. Salter says Lexx is attracting wide viewer interest since premiering on the sci fi Channel in the u.s. where it has averaged a 1.2 rating over its first five weeks. koch International has acquired Canadian dvd and home video rights to the 41 hours of Lexx, and has the same rights for 19 half-hours of Made in Canada, 46 hours of Emily of New Moon, and the one-hour special Celtic Electric.

The intriguing prodco Queen Bee Productions, operated by sisters Romney Grant – executive producer and producer, based in Vancouver – and Vicki Grant – creative director, based in Halifax – buzzed to N’awlins with 52 x 15 preschool comedy eps of Scoop and Doozie, which the cbc has just renewed (See also ‘Pickup’ story, p. 2) for Playground. Set in a backyard full of irrepressible toys (and the evil hose, Spritz), Scoop focuses on the creative ways to get in and out of trouble. Motion International distributes worldwide except the u.s., which is being handled by Jon Slan.