Rainbow Overhauls Huntik

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Rainbow Overhauls Huntik
Mar 29, 2011

Italian animation firm Rainbow is ploughing US$10m into the new season of its boys-skewed series Huntik: Secrets & Seekers after buying out former coproducer Big Bocca's investment.

Rainbow has acquired Big Bocca's stake in the franchise (left) for an undisclosed fee, a Rainbow spokeswoman confirmed, adding: "Huntik is pretty much Rainbow's top priority this year."

The sum now being invested in the new 26x30' season is "considerably more" than the first, the spokeswoman added. "Because the series was part-owned by Big Bocca, there were certain restrictions that don't exist anymore. Rainbow wants to make it the next big boys property."

Season one was coproduced with Big Bocca and broadcast on pubcaster Rai TV in Italy, as well as kids' broadcasters in Germany, Benelux, Spain, the UK and Latin America among others.

Rainbow's move is part of a push to try to recreate the success of it had with girls-skewed series Winx Club, which has been a major success in Italy and sold in to 130 territories around the world.

Rainbow has licensed toy rights for Huntik to Giochi Preziosi for Europe, including the UK and Russia. The pair has promised "massive investment and promotion," with Huntik-themed attractions set for the upcoming Rainbow Magicland Theme Park.

Last month, C21 revealed US media giant Viacom had acquired a minority stake in Rainbow, expanding on a coproduction deal for Winx Club. The fantasy series has spawned five seasons, a successful merchandising range and spin-off features. The theme park will open in Rome this summer.

Huntik ws is a Fan Website for the famous 'HUNTIK: Secrets & Seekers' children's TV Show. Artwork on Huntik ws website, including Huntik logo and all other Huntik images are protected by copyright and are the property of their respective owners. Artwork on this website can be used for personal intention only. Usage of any Huntik pictures other than personal use is strongly prohibited. For more information on licensing Huntik products based on the Huntik animated TV series, please contact Huntik licensing department at Upper Deck Company, or Rainbow S.p.A.

Huntik is an Italian animated TV series created by Iginio Straffi of Rainbow S.p.A., as a co-production with Big Bocca Productions (an Irish entertainment production and licensing company owned by Richard McWilliam, CEO and owner of The Upper Deck Company, LLC and Rainbow S.p.A.).

Huntik made its debut at the MIPCOM show in Cannes, and premiered January 3, 2009 in the U.S. on The CW4Kids. Created and directed by legendary Italian animator Iginio Straffi (who also created The Winx Club and Monster Allergies), Huntik was awarded as best cartoon for entertainment and business opportunities at MIPJunior, a leading international exhibition dedicated to children's tv programmes.

Huntik TV series was broadcast in Italy on Rai 2 and in foreign channels including the The CW4Kids (United States), Disney XD -previously Jetix- (UK & Ireland), MTV3 (Finland), Rede Record (Brazil), Jetix / Disney XD (Netherlands), Childern Channel (Israel), RTL II (Germany), ZAZ (Mexico), Network Ten (Australia), TV Tokyo (Japan), South Africa, Singapore, Greece, Austria, Portugal and the Philippines.

Huntik trading card game, produced by Upper Deck Entertainment, was released in 2009 in Starter decks and booster packs. A line of Huntik action figures has also been released by Upper Deck.