Raven Moon gives Gina D away for free

Orlando, Florida-based Raven Moon Entertainment has found a way to get its series Gina D’s Kids Club Show on U.S. airwaves despite the current buying slowdown – it’s called free syndication. Until December 2003, Raven Moon is offering the 13 x half-hour animated preschool series (up to six telecasts) at no charge to the 200-plus network affiliate stations that are currently airing the company’s Mr. Bicycle Man safety short in more than 45 states. To sweeten the deal, Raven Moon will let the stations retain 100% of the commercial airtime, as well as offering casters that air two years of Gina D a pro rata 15% share of gross profits from videos/DVDs, music CDs, toys, clothing and other character-based merch for the next five years.

Big Idea signs an international VeggieTales rep deal

Christian kidvid king Big Idea Productions has signed a deal to let U.K. distribution house Odyssey Entertainment rep its VeggieTales franchise outside of North America. A best-selling series of more than 15 direct-to-video titles is at the core of the property, which has gone on to spawn a line of books and PC games, as well as a live tour and a feature film called Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie that has racked up more than US$21.6 million at the box office since its State-side debut on October 4. Odyssey will be responsible for selling and marketing VeggieTales home entertainment, publishing and music products in international territories.

Classic secures a Splendid German distribution partner

Classic Media has given New York-based Splendid Television (owned by Splendid Medien out of Cologne, Germany) the nod to distribute its lineup of family programming in German-speaking European territories. To facilitate the implementation of the partnership, Classic has also brought Splendid president Doug Schwalbe aboard as head of international sales and co-production. Schwalbe will focus on finding German broadcast homes for Classic family fare such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Lassie.