Banijay announced today the acquisition of animation company Monello Productions, based in France just outside Paris. The addition of this producer — alongside Zodiak Kids and Tiger Aspect Kids and Family — bolsters the group’s existing children’s catalogue, taking it up to more than 2,200 hours.

Previously part of Tetra Media Studio, Monello Productions is an independent prodco created in 2013 by former Télé Images producer Giorgio Welter. The studio is currently producing When I Was Your Age (52×11’-FTV/RAI), Street Football season 4, in co-production with Zodiak Kids (26×22’-FTV/RAI) and the new CGI series of the iconic Hello Kitty. Its credits also include the 2018 series Marblegen, produced with Studio Redfrog.

“Monello perfectly supports our ambitions to expand our kids’ activity at Banijay,” said Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive of Banijay. “Hello Kitty, Street Football and its amazing development line-up are a hugely important commercial asset for the business and with Zodiak Kids, we now have an impressive catalogue of children’s content for buyers and licensees alike, which we only see growing.”

Giorgio Welter, President of Monello Productions, commented, “We are thrilled to be part of an impressive and entrepreneurial group like Banijay. Synergies for distribution, licensing and new media are very important in a competitive market like animation so it makes total sense to be alongside Zodiak Kids.”