Banijay Kids & Family – the people behind the hit show “Totally Spies!” and “Mr. Bean: The Animated Series” – announced a new distribution deal for the latest installment of “Once Upon a Time…” produced by Prosidis.
Season 8 “Once Upon a Time…The Objects” was featured on Puls 2’s Puls Kids in Poland, Turkuvaz Media Group’s children’s channel Minika GO in Turkey, TFO in Canada, and Radio Television in Hong Kong.
But there’s some good news as early seasons “continue to thrive,” with AMC Networks International CNE acquiring seasons 3 and 7 (“Life,” “Planet Earth”) for multiple territories in Eastern Europe, and SF Studios acquiring season 3 (“Life”) for Norway and Sweden.
Described as an “iconic edutainment franchise,” the “Once Upon a Time…” saga was created by Albert Barrier in 1978 and has been broadcast continuously in France for nearly 50 years.
“Its continued journey across borders and into new territories demonstrates its continued relevance and global appeal,” said Cecil Cau, senior vice president of sales, co-productions and acquisitions at Banijay Kids & Family.
“This series has a timeless legacy and educational value that will stay with viewers forever, sparking curiosity in childhood and continuing to resonate with fans well into adulthood.”
Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family and president of Prosidis, told Variety, “At the time it was made, ‘Once Upon a Time…’ was revolutionary. Albert Ballier created a unique visual and narrative language that spoke to children and parents alike.”
Its longevity, he argued, lies in its ability to “fuse storytelling and education in an engaging and timeless way” and “make knowledge accessible, playful and universal.”
“This series has always piqued the curiosity of children and left an indelible impression on them as adults. What keeps this series alive is its adaptability, with each new season tackling fresh themes that resonate with modern audiences. Every episode is driven by curiosity, pedagogy and genuine kindness to the viewer.”
But this is not the end of the decades-long story.
“The continued success of Once Upon a Time… in new territories and platforms shows there is still a strong appetite for thoughtful and educational content. Together with Hélène Barile, we have bold plans to grow and evolve the brand for a new generation. Through content and beyond our growing portfolio of experiences and products, we will continue to build on that legacy and introduce it to new generations around the world.”
With a different focus each season, The Objects takes a new look at the everyday objects that shape our world.
“This is a smart way to teach children about science, history and culture through objects they see every day. Buyers responded enthusiastically because the show is accessible and universal, and values content that smartly combines education and entertainment,” Di Sabatino assured. He claims that the magic of this series is in the storytelling.
“We entertain, not preach. We encourage understanding, not memorization. Humor, poetry, and iconic characters bring the knowledge to life.”
He added: “This work has always respected its audience’s intelligence and is a trusted source of knowledge that sparks children’s imaginations. The balance of emotion, narrative and scientific precision is what makes it such a timeless model of ‘edutainment’, long before the term existed.”
‘Once upon a time…’
Presented by Banijay Kids & Family
