Media I.M., the London-based content distribution company that specializes in premium animation and family entertainment, has closed a three-year multimedia deal with 0+ Media for its global pre-school phenomenon Sunny Bunnies. Owned by the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, 0+ Media specializes in the complex strategies involved in exploiting children’s content and consumer products across multiple licensing and retail outlets, live events, and gaming, TV and VOD channels.

Under the deal, 0+ Media has secured the licensing and merchandising (L&M) rights for Sunny Bunnies across all the main categories of consumer products, including toys, publishing, apparel, accessories, and back to school ranges. The company has also acquired the rights to the first four seasons of TV series Sunny Bunnies for distribution across its networks in Russia and the CIS territories. The shows will be aired across the Russian family pay-TV channels Moolt, Ani, Mama and Multimusic, and will be available on the Moolt SVOD digital app.

Gavin Metcalfe, Brand Licensing Director at Media I.M., said: "Russia has certainly been in our sights for a while now, as we have watched its YouTube audience grow hugely over the last two years. Most recently with views increasing by 75% in the last quarter alone, the appetite is certainly there so it’s a great to now be partnering with 0+ Media, their enthusiasm, expertise and local-market knowledge to drive a successful licensing strategy for Sunny Bunnies through this year and beyond.”

Valentina Kursanova, Director of Licensing and Business Development, commented: “Having all the tools of popularization and very strong belief in Sunny Bunnies we are thrilled and excited to start our partnership together for Russia and CIS. Nowadays, when TV-viewing is growing, it is a very good time to launch the brand-new show on our TV-channels. We plan launching the series on the screens from the end of April and the licensing program will follow right away.”