ABC and Chinese broadcaster join for new kids series

The ABC has joined forces with Chinese broadcaster CCTV on a new kids series, Hoopla Doopla.

Created in Australia by Melinda Wearne, the series is described as “an innovative 52 x 12 minute live-action, non-verbal comedy series for preschoolers in which six loveable characters tumble, juggle, leap and somersault into and out of trouble.”

The production features a cast and production team from both countries, including an Australian and a Chinese director, filmed over six months. The scripts were written in Australia, the shoot is taking place in China, and the post production will be carried out in Australia.

A signing ceremony was held last month in Beijing was attended by Her Excellency Ms Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; James Spigelman, the Chairman of the ABC; Mark Scott, the Managing Director of the ABC; Hu Zhanfan, the President of CCTV; Luo Ming, the Editor-in-Chief of CCTV; Janet Holmes à Court, the Chairman of the ACTF; Jenny Buckland, CEO of the ACTF; Mikael Borgland, CEO and Managing Director of Beyond International Ltd; Xue Jijun, the President of the CTPC; Zhuang Dianjun, the Supervisor of the CCTV Children’s Channel; the Australian and Chinese cast and crew and many other distinguished guests from CCTV, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Tim Brooke-Hunt, ABC’s Controller of Children’s TV, said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with our friends at CCTV through this exciting new co-production.”

Hoopla Doopla will be produced by Beyond Screen Production and the China Television Drama Production Centre with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation distributing the series internationally.

It will screen on ABC4Kids in 2014.