DHX Media signs another wave of distribution deals for the hit family series The Deep

10 new deals bring total broadcasters and streaming platforms for award-winning animated series up to 40

HALIFAX, Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - DHX Media (or the "Company") (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ: DHXM), a global children's content and brands company, is pleased to announce that it has struck ten new distribution deals for the hit family series, The Deep, bringing the total number of broadcasters and streaming platforms for the CGI-animated underwater adventure series up to 40 globally. The news follows a 2018 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nomination for best International Animation for season two of The Deep, co-produced by DHX Media and A Stark Productions.

New deals for season three of The Deep, which was commissioned by ABC Australia earlier this year, have been struck by DHX Media with CBBC (UK), Super RTL (Germany), VRT (Belgium), NRK (Norway), KidsZone(Baltics), S4C (UK and Wales), SVT (Sweden), and TVP (Poland), in addition to previously announced deals with Netflix (worldwide) and Family CHRGD (Canada). DHX Media has also signed two new distribution deals for seasons one and two of The Deep, with France Televisions (France) and RTP (Portugal). Seasons one and two of The Deep air in 190 countries.

"From the moment it premiered, The Deep has resonated with kids and families for its wonderful animation and strong storytelling," said Jerry Diaz, VP Distribution, DHX Media. "The series continues to generate strong sales into markets around the world, and the talented creative team behind The Deep have done an amazing job on season three, delivering a great new set of adventures for broadcasters and streaming platforms to share with audiences."

About season three

The Deep follows the adventures of the Nekton family—a brilliant team of underwater explorers. With state-of-the-art technology and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Nektons explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, where most of our world lies unexplored and unexplained. 

In season three, the Nektons are back and the Monumentials—huge creatures capable of changing the world—are waking from their long slumber! To put the giants back to sleep, Ant, Fontaine, Will and Kaiko must find the ancient city of Lemuria and harness its secret. Dangerous pirates, fantastic creatures and tantalizing mysteries will confront them along the way. But even with unexpected help from Jeffrey the Fish, they're running out of time. 

About The Deep

The Deep is a co-production between Australia-based A Stark Production (scripts, design and music) and Canada-based DHX Media (animation, voices and post-production), with distribution also handled by DHX Media. Technicolor, underlying rights holder to The Deep, has oversight of the brand's licensing extensions, with CPLG, a DHX Media company and one of the world's leading licensing agencies, serving as the multi-territory licensing agent for the brand, including North America, EMEA (excluding Germany) and Latin America.

The Deep is based on the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series of the same name, created by multi-award-winning, best-selling comic book author and playwright Tom Taylor (All-New Wolverine, Earth 2, Superior Iron Man, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Star Wars: Blood Ties). The graphic novel series is illustrated by James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond) and published by Gestalt Comics.

The Deep is a global hit that has garnered numerous industry awards and accolades, including a 2018 BAFTA nomination for best International Animation, Best Music for Children's Television at the 2018 Screen Music Awards in Australia, the 50^th Annual AWGIE Awards in Australia for Children's Television (5-14 years old), the 2017 Kidscreen Award for Best New Series (Kids Category), the Golden Sparrow Award at the 2017 German Children's Media Festival.

The Deep toys debuted in Fall 2018 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK and Nordic countries, and quickly became Simba Toy's bestselling boys' property in Germany. Bloomsbury has debuted a range of books based on the series in the UK and Australia, including young fiction, an official handbook and activity-based books; and Blue-Ocean Magazines launched The Deep magazine in Germany. A larger rollout of toys, books and more is expected in spring 2019 in these territories as well as France.

About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ: DHXM) is a global children's content and brands company, recognized for such high-profile properties as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and the acclaimed Degrassi franchise. One of the world's foremost producers of children's shows, DHX Media owns the world's largest independent library of children's content, at 13,000 half-hours. It licenses its content to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide and generates royalties through its global consumer products program. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media operates one of the largest networks of children's channels on YouTube. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has offices worldwide. Visit us at www.dhxmedia.com.  

About A Stark Production
A Stark Production Pty. Ltd (ASP) is a leader in the creative development and production of quality children's animation and teams with global partners to deliver successful internationally co-produced shows. From its inception the company has been led by Avrill Stark, an independent and highly creative producer who has teamed with companies to produce series across a broad age range, preschool – teens. She has received many nominations and awards for outstanding animation: the prestigious UNICEF Award at Annecy, the Elan Award for Best Animated Television Production and numerous nominations for the Australian Film Industry (AFI) Awards. ASP prides itself on the development of both series and feature films with a diverse appeal both in animation and live action for children. Above all we make 'having fun' a priority in our pursuit of excellence! 

About Technicolor
The Technicolor Animation & Games family is home to world-leading creative and technology professionals committed to the development, creation, management, and delivery of animated entertainment content.  Technicolor has development offices in Los Angeles and Paris and maintains studios in Paris, Montreal, Belgium, and Bangalore, creating high-quality computer-generated animation for motion pictures, television, direct-to-home, video games, 3D/4D location-based entertainment, and other content platforms.  Our Technicolor Animation Productions (TAP) and Technicolor Creative Development (TCD) groups are well-suited to produce content starring world-beloved characters, as well as develop and produce original intellectual properties. Technicolor partners with studios, networks, and licensing partners to create brands and amplify established ones.

About CPLG
CPLG (www.cplg.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies with offices in the UK, Benelux, Nordics, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Middle East, Greece & Turkey and the US. Owned by DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) a leader in the creation, production and licensing of family entertainment rights, CPLG has more than 40 years of experience in the licensing industry. It provides each of its clients with dedicated licensing and marketing industry professionals and a fully-integrated product development, legal and accounting service.   CPLG believe that partnership is about clarity, openness and trust, and is widely known for its no-nonsense, straightforward approach; Expert Common Sense.

Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX Media including, without limitation, statements regarding sales of The Deep and the business strategies and operational activities of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include the ability to execute on distribution and licensing arrangements and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which also form part of the Company's annual report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.

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