Belfast-based children’s prodco Sixteen South has launched a new distribution arm, Sixteen South Rights, which will be headed up by former Foxtel and Viacom exec Gillian Calvert-Ridge.

As head of global distribution, Calvert-Ridge will focus on delivering some of the prodco’s wholly-owned properties, as well as new ones in development, beginning with a strong focus on its mixed-media series Lily’s Driftwood Bay.

Previously signed distribution deals for other shows in Sixteen South‘s portfolio will proceed as normal, with American Greetings Entertainment continuing to represent Disney Junior EMEA series Claude and WDR managing distribution for live-action series Wildwoods, for which RTE recently signed on as lead broadcaster.

Sixteen South is also behind Pinkalicious, a co-production with WGBH for PBS KIDS that will be premiering on linear and digital channels in February.

Prior to joining Sixteen South Rights, Calvert-Ridge was acquisitions manager for Foxtel in Australia and worked for Viacom International Media Networks and Entertainment Rights.

The launch of a distribution arm comes exactly one year after Sixteen South opened a new four-floor animation studio in Belfast to accommodate its expanding production slate. The US$1.3-million, 7,500-square-foot space was designed to handle four in-house productions at a time.