Hamburg-based prodco/distribco Igel Media has come on-board to help Paris-based Xilam finance the acquisition of the Gaumont Multimedia library.

Consequently, Igel will now own and have exclusive worldwide distribution rights to 50% of the library.

The deal involves over 200 animated episodes from the Gaumont Multimedia library, giving both Igel and Xilam unlimited global rights to the exploitation of the series across all media, including pay-TV, free-TV, video, DVD, merchandising and the Internet. Igel will not have rights to Lucky Luke, a feature film and series acquired from Gaumont by Xilam.

According to Xilam head (and former Gaumont Multimedia toon division head) Marc du Pontavice, Igel and Xilam will also look to co-develop and co-produce new children’s and family TV shows together, hopefully with some related announcements being made at MIP-TV.