PARIS: Public channel France 3 has begun airing the science-oriented educational series The Magic Schoolbus. The series has already been broadcast on Canal J.

France 3 bought the first two seasons (26 x 13) of this co-production between Scholastic and Nelvana. A third season is also available and a fourth is in development.

As in the U.S. and Canada, The Magic Schoolbus is supported by a wide merchandising program. Besides books, interactive CD-ROMs have been developed worldwide by Microsoft, a partner in the co-production.

Last October, Microsoft France released two CD-ROMs about the solar system and the human body and sold more than 20,000 units.

Licensing and merchandising is handled by the Jean-Michel Biard company, VIP, and so far a broad campaign of licenses, including postcards, tableware, children’s bedlinen, and games, is planned.