'LazyTown' maker bought by Turner Broadcasting

Tuner Broadcasting has acquired Icelandic company Latibaer, maker of hit children's programme LazyTown, in a deal worth a reported £15m.

The acquisition will also involve Turner, owner of channels such as Cartoon Network and Cartoonito, commissioning a new series of LazyTown.

Created by Magnus Scheving, LazyTown promotes a healthy lifestyle, with super-fit Sportacus getting children active and not eating junk food. The show is broadcast in more than 100 countries in a dozen languages, including the CBeebies channel in the UK.

Under the terms of the sale, Scheving - who has previously advised the UK government on tackling childhood obesity - will remain as chief executive of Latibaer.

When the third series of LazyTown airs in the UK, the show will be broadcast on the Cartoonito channel - but is not clear whether the show will also be offered by the BBC.

"We look forward to bringing the LazyTown message of helping motivate children to lead a healthy lifestyle to a whole new audience of Turner viewers," said Scheving.

"[We] believe that the fit is an ideal one for us. [Turner's] ethos of entertaining children in a fun and educational way is perfectly in keeping with the LazyTown brand."

Alan Fenwick, vice president of Turner Enterprises for the EMEA region, described LazyTown as a "rare" and "wonderfully inspiring" programme brand.

"It has such a relevant health message that everyone from governments to global retailers and most importantly millions of children every day from around the world are fully embracing," he said.

"We are delighted to be working with Magnus and his team as we build on this success together, ensuring that LazyTown becomes the world's leading healthy lifestyle brand for children."

Jeff Kupsky, the president of Turner Broadcasting Europe, added: "With the great fit between our existing assets in the pre-school genre, and the retention of the unique talent that is Magnus Scheving, we're ready to expand the LazyTown brand and will immediately be starting production on a new series.

"This will be supported by Turner's successful 360 franchise management approach which will include consumer products and digital extensions."

Turner Broadcasting has recently been on the expansion in the UK, with plans to launch a high definition simulcast of the Cartoon Network on Sky next week.

The company has also agreed one of the biggest branded sponsorship deals in the history of Microsoft's Xbox to promote its new series, The Amazing World of Gumball.