– Nelvana closes chapter on Golden Books deal

Talks between Golden Books Family Entertainment of New York and Toronto-based animation house Nelvana have ended.

Nelvana announced in September that it was in preliminary discussions with Golden Books that would see the New York publishing and entertainment company purchase Nelvana for Cdn$140 million.

But the deal has fallen through. And Nelvana management says the company is returning to its core business of producing mostly animated family entertainment and is no longer actively looking for a suitor.

-France Animation sold to France Telecom

PARIS: After several months of negotiations, producer France Animation has been sold to the public (but soon to be private) telecommunications company France Telecom.

France Telecom has taken over 95 percent of France Animation at a cost of FF60 million (US$12 million). France Animation president Christian Davin retains a five-percent share and continues in the position of president. Many strategic questions-such as whether France Animation’s distribution branch will remain independent or will merge with M5, a subsidiary of France Telecom-have yet to be answered. For now, the company has only noted that it may open its capital to foreign partners.

-Bohbot introduces fall 1997 lineup

Bohbot Entertainment is expanding its lineup in 1997 with the addition of a two-hour weekday, day-part block that replaces the one-hour block featured in 1996. Programs scheduled for the Monday to Friday 3 to 5 p.m. time slot are the successful The Mask, the long-running Sonic The Hedgehog and newcomers Extreme Ghostbusters and Dangerous Dinosaurs. Bohbot is billing Dangerous Dinosaurs as its biggest new property in 1997, and is also featuring the show during its Sunday morning Amazin’ Adventures block. Also new in 1997, Pocket Dragons will fill out the 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday period, along with the returning Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys and Street Sharks. Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders and Skysurfer Strike Force have not been renewed for 1997. Holiday specials planned for next November are Kids’ Day Off and Toys ‘R’ Us Family Theater.