UK Edition
117 new episodes of Peppa Pig are on the way
Peppa Pig owner Entertainment One has commissioned 117 new episodes of the hit children’s animation.
The firm said it has begun production of a series of new cartoons, which will bring the total number of Peppa Pig animations to 381.
The new episodes of the show, which centres around the cartoon pig best known for jumping in muddy puddles, will launch in the spring of 2019 and “secure a pipeline of Peppa Pig content over the following four years”, the company said.
It comes after Peppa Pig cracked the US market, where it is broadcast seven days a week. EOne now has 65 licensing partners in the country, and said earlier this year that Peppa Pig-related merchandise in US retail stores topped £160m last year.
Two years ago EOne set a goal of doubling global revenues from Peppa Pig to $2bn, after boosting its stake in the company that makes the programme.
"Peppa Pig's global appeal continues apace as we bring new content to audiences across the world,” said chief executive Darren Throop.
“With a new series in the pipeline, best-in-class partners and strong marketing and experiential initiatives in each territory, we continue to nurture the long term success of this global preschool phenomenon."
EOne revealed last week that it will take a £47m hit to profits as part of a restructuring programme.
The firm said a £27m one-off cost will come as a result of the reshaping of its film division, which includes moving its physical distribution activities towards a "digital content-focused business model".
EOne will also book a £20m charge from renegotiating a new distribution arrangement.
Last year, ITV scrapped plans to buy EOne after its initial approach was rejected as undervaluing the company.