Silke König
Germany’s "The Peppercorns" series is the longest running live action kids programme in the country. With 18 series to date, the title is one of the most popular kids series in Germany and internationally, having been sold by OneGate Media to over 8 territories including Italy, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.Silke König, Sales Partner for Spanish-speaking territories, has talked exclusively with Señal News about the opportunities of "The Peppercorns" in Latin America, US Hispanic and Spain.
OneGate Media's flagship series "The Peppercorns" is the longest-running children's show in Germany and is hugely successful in multiple territories. How can this global appeal be transferred to Spanish-speaking audiences?
"The series has been broadcast since 2000, and generations of children have grown up with the stories of these unique young detectives, so you definitely could say 'The Peppercorns' is a big hit in the German market!. Its intriguing characters, exciting episodes and universal themes make this series appropriate for broadcast in any market, including the Spanish-speaking territories. The plot centres around a unique but globally engaging topic – a group of kid detectives working together to solve crime cases. The series also has the ability to tap into contemporary world issues and reflect evolving values in a representative and inclusive way. Within that, the series also features individual learning curves, challenges these kids have to overcome, and a window into how different people live – all of these are relatable and interesting wherever you are based. Identifying with the young heroes of the series works transversally around the world. It is also the 'setting' of the series that has an important role and that can also be transferred to Spanish audiences. El Puerto with its warehouses, and its spirit intimately recognizable by all."
One of the distinctive points of the series is its diverse characters and narratives. What values do these characters express?
"The values that the series reflects important lessons and provide a lot of value to its young target audience.The storylines explore the individual characters and their own personal experiences, which convey moral and societal values to young audiences. These can include personal struggles that work for young audiences such as finding a first love, to problems with siblings, parents, or issues at school. Through a character’s own personal journey, episodes can convey overall messages that can be applied in real life, whether it is around building teams and working together, finding new friends, or learning how to say goodbye when characters move away to another country. Identifying personal and societal issues that are shared between children around the world is the key to engaging your audience, no matter where they live. In addition to motivating children to be brave and fight for justice and fairness, the series focuses on the key themes of friendship and family bonds. And rather than pointing only to the traditional family, it exemplifies how a family environment can exist within a diverse group, in accordance with the realities of modern life."
What is the production value of the live action series? Can buyers in Spain and Latin America purchase it as a finished product or as a format, or both?
"Buyers in Spain and Latin America can purchase the series as a finished product. With the option to collaborate on dubbing."
Who would be the best partners in Spanish-speaking territories for the promotion of 'The Peppercorns' in the territory?
"The universality, global relevance of this series and identifiable characters makes it a series that resonates with young audiences all over the world. At OneGate, the content we offer reflects globally significant topics that impact audiences in a range of territories. Therefore, the best partners for 'The Peppercorns' in Spanish-speaking territories include all platforms and channels that want to offer premium, live action content for young audiences, that communicate global social values and important life lessons."