ACAMAR FILMS' "BING" SERIES EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN ITALY

Acamar Films has signed a new deal with Rai in Italy to strengthen the presence of its International Emmy Award-winning pre-school series "Bing".  The  Italian free TV broadcast has acquired the rights for "Bing" Series 1-3, and the acquisition of Series 4.

Annalisa Liberi, Head of Acquisitions, Rai Ragazzi, said: “We are very happy Bing’s principal Italian home continues to be Rai Yoyo, the leading children’s TV channel in the country. Our kids truly love and enjoy 'Bing', easily sharing the feelings and emotions that are part of growing up.”

Eroulla Constantine, Director of Sales & Distribution, Acamar Films, said: “Our latest deal with Rai confirms that 'Bing' is as strong as ever and becoming a truly global evergreen icon. Having recently won ‘Property of the Year’ for 2019 at the Bologna Licensing Awards we know that 'Bing' is a firm favourite among pre-schoolers in Italy. We hope to continue to strengthen our relationship broadcasters and digital platforms with our presence at MIPCOM Online+ in October, and are eager to connect with new partners.”

MULTIPLATFORM DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY

"Bing" – currently rated currently #1 on the Rai YoYo app – has enjoyed huge commercial success in Italy following its launch in 2018. As part of Acamar Films’ multiplatform distribution strategy, Italian episodes of" Bing" are also available to stream and download (along with a suite of learning games and activities) via the recently launched Bing app ‘Bing: Guarda, Gioca, Impara’, and via Bing’s Italian language YouTube channel – which currently generates an average of around 30 million views each month.

On the other hand, "Bing" will continue to be available via Italian VOD platform TIMVision (who are currently producing Bing’s first-ever sign language version) and on DeA Junior where it is the #1 show on-air. "Bing" will make its Amazon Prime Video Italy debut in October.

Produced by Acamar Films and Dublin-based partners Brown Bag Films, award-winning "Bing" has seen extraordinary success since it launched in the UK in 2014 and has now been licensed to 130 territories. Constantly working to expand its international growth, Acamar’s Media Sales team is currently looking for opportunities in untapped areas including Latin America and key Asian countries.