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Bohbot Entertainment

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For the Australian regional television station, see GTS/BKN.
BKN, Inc.
TypePrivate corporation
Bohbot Communications (November 1985-January 1994)
Bohbot Enterprises Worldwide (January 1994-October 1997)
BKN, Inc. (October 1997-January 2001)
IndustryTV
Genrechildren's animation
FoundedNovember 19, 1985; 35 years ago (November 19, 1985)[1]
FounderAllen J. Bohbot[2]
DefunctJanuary 2001; 20 years ago (2001-01)
FatePurchased out
SuccessorBKN International
SubsidiariesBKN Kids Network
Quantum Media International
Bohbot Entertainment
BKN International

Bohbot Entertainment was an advertising and marketing company specializing in the children's market founded in 1985, and had traded under various different names over the years.[3] The company produced and distributed programming under their operated syndicated block - Amazin' Adventures, later renamed to Bohbot Kids Network (BKN).

History

Bohbot Communications Inc. was founded on November 19, 1985 as a media planning and buying service. BC added additional services over the following 10 years: animated children’s programming syndicator, program syndication sales distribution, licensing and merchandising. After previous attempts at local promotions and request from promotional agencies at 1995 NATPE, Bohbot entered the national promotions field in 1996.[4]

Bohbot Entertainment distributed 65 episodes of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog in syndication starting in 1993.[5][6] BE picked up Double Dragon for syndication in 1993.[6]

Bohbot Communications Inc. in January 1994 split its operations into two units, Bohbot Media Worldwide (BM) and Bohbot Entertainment Worldwide (BE). Bohbot Media would take over BC's media planning and buying services, while Bohbot Entertainment took over BC's TV distribution, licensing and merchandising, promotions and public relations operations.[3] In 1994, Bohbot Media agreed to distribute A.J.'s Time Travelers for Time Travelers, Inc. to Fox Children's Network for which the various Bohbot entities were sued in 1995 along with the producers.[7]

In March 1997, BE and DIC Entertainment agreed to a three-year output deal for Bohbot Kids Network consisting of five series.[8] BE launched BKN Kids Network in September of that year[9] By October, Bohbot Enterprises Worldwide, Inc., Bohbot Entertainment, Bohbot Media and the International Division were renamed BKN, Inc. (BKN), Bohbot Entertainment & Media Inc. (BEM), Quantum Media International, Inc. (QMI) and BKN International respectively.[7][10]Quantum was later renamed as BKN Media and closed in October 2000.[11]

In April 1998, United Television and Columbia TriStar Television took a minority stake in BEM.[12]

With multiple offers in top 50 markets for the Bohbot Kids Network, Bohbot Entertainment scheduled the launch of a second syndication network, BKN Kids II, for September 1998 to meet the demand. BE also looked for shows from other syndicators to include in BKN Kids II.[9] With financial setbacks that had happened in the past, a consortium of banks gave Bohbot $100 million in new financing in September 1998. Two new blocks were announced at the same time as well as the new chairman/CEO of Bohbot Kids Network, Rick Ungar. BKN also indicated that long-term network affiliation agreements were under close to being finalized with Chris-Craft/United Television, Tribune Broadcasting, Paramount Stations Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group and the WB network's WeB fill-in cable network.[13] BKN also purchased Epoch Ink Animation which was renamed to BKN Studios.[14]

BKNI went public and independent of BKN in 1999 on the Frankfurt Neuer Market stock exchange with BKN retaining 34% ownership.[15]

In January 2000, Bohbot Entertainment & Media Inc. was sued by Sinclair Broadcast Group over a supposed failure of Bohbot to purchase enough advertising on the broadcasting group's TV stations as agreed to in their BKN Network carriage agreement.[16] In July, the A.J.'s Time Travelers case ended in which the various Bohbot entities and Time Travelers entities had to pay damages with BKN paying $10 million, BEM $10 million and QMI, $5 million.[7]

BKN International in January 2001 acquired BKN, Inc.'s operating assets with BKN, Inc. would continue as a holding company with its BKNI holdings.[15]

Programming Library

Original

US Distributed Shows

Acquired/Syndicated

  • The Magical Super Trolls (1992)
  • Battletoads (1992)
  • Nick & Noel (1993)
  • The Bears Who Saved Christmas (1994)
  • A Hollywood Hounds Christmas (1994)
  • Dot and Spot's Magical Christmas Adventure (1996)

Bohbot Kids Network

Bohbot Kids Network
BKN.png
Bohbot Kids Network
NetworkBroadcast syndication
LaunchedSeptember 13, 1992; 29 years ago (1992-09-13)
Closed2000; 21 years ago (2000)
2001 (2001) (on The WB 100+ Station Group)
Country of originUnited States
OwnerBKN, Inc.
Formerly known asAmazin' Adventures (1992–1997)
Formatanimated series
Running time2 hours per week (1992–1996)
7 hours per week (1996–1997)
12 hours per week (1997–2000)
Original language(s)English

Bohbot Kids Network, BKN Kids Network or BKN (originally known as Amazin' Adventures until 1997), is a defunct children's programming block operated by Bohbot Entertainment that aired in syndication from 1992 to 2000.

History

On September 13, 1992, Bohbot Entertainment launched Amazin' Adventures, a syndicated action-oriented block that aired for two hours on Sundays. Byrne Enterprises sold barter for the block.[17] During the 1996–1997 season, Amazin' Adventures also aired for an hour on weekdays.

Amazin' Adventures was re-launched as the BKN Kids Network in September 1997.[9] By 1997, the network had signed up 104 stations reaching 75% of the US, with 65 stations airing BKN in pattern and 35 stations signing on for three years. Stations that aired the BKN block included BHC Communications stations,[5] WCIU-TV,[8] WPGH-TV, and The WB 100+ Station Group. During BKN's first season, its programs were split into three blocks: the "Extreme Block" (Extreme Dinosaurs and Extreme Ghostbusters) and the "Comedy Block" (The Mask: Animated Series and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog) on weekdays, and "Amazin’ Adventures" (Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys) on weekends.[8]

On August 29, 1999, BKN was re-positioned as an action-oriented block; it was referred to internally as "Bulldog TV" because the block's bumpers featured an animated bulldog.

Bulldog TV stopped airing on most stations in 2000, but The WB 100+ Station Group continued to air reruns of BKN shows during the 2000–2001 season. During this time, BKN had their shows aired on the Sci-Fi Channel on weekday mornings.

Programming

BKN Kids II

BKN Kids II
NetworkBroadcast syndication
LaunchedAugust 29, 1999; 22 years ago (1999-08-29)
Closed2000
Country of originUnited States
OwnerBohbot Entertainment
Formatanimated series
Running time4 hours (weekdays)
Original language(s)English

BKN Kids II (branded as BKN on-air) is a children's programming block operated by Bohbot Entertainment that aired in syndication from 1999 to 2000.

History

With multiple offers in top 50 markets for BKN, Bohbot Entertainment planned to launch a second syndication network, BKN Kids II, in September 1998 to meet the demand. Station groups affiliating with BKN 2 at launch included Sinclair Broadcast Group, Tribune Broadcasting, Clear Channel Communications and ACME Communications. Bohbot planned to use several of its library series, Mighty Max, Highlander: The Animated Series, The Mask: The Animated Series, and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog to fill out the schedule.[9] The block's launch was postponed to August 29, 1999. BKN and BKN Kids II did not initially share programming as to grant the networks Syndex protection.[9]

BKN Kids II ceased to exist in 2000.

Programming

BKN International

BKN International AG
TypeAktiengesellschaft
IndustryTelevision
Genrechildren's
PredecessorBKN, Inc.
FoundedJanuary 1994 (as Bohbot Entertainment Worldwide)
October 1997 (as BKN International)
October 15, 1999 (As a Stand-Alone Company)
FounderAllen J. Bohbot[2]
DefunctOctober 2009
FateInsolvency
Successor41 Entertainment
Headquarters
Cologne
,
Germany
Key people
Nadia Nardonnet (President)
Allen J. Bohbot[2] (management board chair)
Production output
animated TV shows
ParentBKN, Inc. (1999-2001)
DivisionsBKN, Inc.
BKN Studios (US)
BKN New Media Inc.
BKN New Media Ltd.
BKN New Media Pte. Ltd.
BKN New Media SL
BKN Home Entertainment Limited
BKN Home Entertainment Inc.
Websitebknkids.com (defunct)

BKN International AG (BKNI) was a German kids TV production and distribution company that formerly operated as the international division of BKN, Inc.

History

BKN International was originally founded as Bohbot Entertainment Worldwide in 1994 as part of a split of Bohbot Communications. In October 1997, the company was renamed as BKN International.[citation needed]

On October 15, 1999, BKN International split away as a stand-alone company, with it being registered in Cologne, Germany, on November 26, 1999. In December 1999, BKN, Inc. and BKN International decided to split their business in two, and in exchange for 87.5% of BKN International's common stock. The International distribution, sales, and subsidiaries (eg, BKN International SAS) and property rights were transferred over, with BKN, Inc. retaining US rights.[19]

On March 9, 2000, BKN International went public on the ‘Neuer Markt’ of the Deutsche Börse AG public market, with BKN, Inc. retaining a 58.194% stake in the company, which was subsequently later reduced to 39.995% and then 37.738% through the rest of the year. On June 8, 2000, BKNI acquired French animation studio Arles Animation and renamed it BKN Studios, beginning the work on a TV movie called Kong: King of Atlantis and cartoon Keystone Kops, later renamed Capertown Cops.[20] By that month, the company was working on projects based on Journey to the Center of the Earth (later renamed as Ultimate Book of Spells[21]) and The Invisible Man.[22] On August 1st, BKN purchased UK-based Design Rights International and formed BKN Consumer Products.[23] On September 21, 2000, BKN acquired the international TV, video and merchandising rights for GoodTimes Entertainment's title library.[24] On the same day, the company formed a UK-based subsidiary called BKN New Media. A project based on The Lost Continent and an original IP - The Invisible Private Eye - Detective for Hire was also planned in development.[25]

BKN International in January 2001 acquired BKN, Inc.'s operating assets: BKN animation library (5th largest at the time in the US), Los Angeles-based animation studio, and its trademark for $28.1 million. BKN, Inc. would continue as a holding company with its BKNI holdings.[15] Following the BKN acquisition, Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group (SPFEG) purchased a 3.8% stake in BKNI from BKN, Inc. as the company expanded into US and Asia.[15][26] Under the deal, SPFE president Sander Schwartz became a member of the company's supervisory board while Allen Bohbot moved from the advisory board chairmanship to the management board's chairmanship.[15] In September 2001, BKN formed a UK subsidiary called BKN Music, Ltd. in order to control worldwide music rights.[27] On October 6, 2001, BKN International announced the production of a new cartoon called Legend of the Dragon as a co-production with Hong Kong-based studio Animation Enterprises for a 2002 delivery.[28]

In November 2002, the company began a restructuring after being surrounded in a €64 Million debt in the first half of the year, and entirely shuttered their French operations alongside their US and UK operations, only leaving the respective BKN New Media subsidiaries for both regions.[29][30]

In December 2003, after gaining profits again after the previous year, the company announced to secure a listing on the London Stock Exchange.[31]

On May 4, 2004, BKN announced they would start production on their first feature-length movie - Kong: King of Atlantis and signed a North American home video deal with GoodTimes Entertainment to release the movie for a Fall 2005 release in order to cash-in on Universal Pictures' King Kong remake.[32][33] An international home video deal with Warner Home Video was also announced.[34] On May 27th, the company announced a new television series called Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia for a Fall 2005 delivery.[35][36] In the middle of 2004, the company opened up a BKN New Media office in Singapore and signed a €1.3 million representation agreement with Hong-Kong-based management company Agogo Corporation to represent its Asian-exclusive lineup alongside the BKN catalog.[37]

In January 2005, The Ali Baba project was reworked as a feature-length film, with BKN signing a deal with the Egyptian Media Production City to co-produce the movie and distribute it in the Middle East.[38][39] In May, the company announced the development of two new action-packed shows - Shanghai Tiger, a boys property, and Triple Threat from Outer Space, a girls property.[40] The latter show was later renamed to Dork Hunters from Outer Space near the end of the year.[41] In October 2005, BKN New Media Inc. agreed to a $10 million outsourcing partnership with of India.[42] after an initial parnership a month prior to produce a new TV series titled Kong: The Next Generation and fellow movie Kong II: Return to the Jungle for a 2006 delivery, alongside distribution of other BKN properties in the region.[43][44]

On January 6, 2006, BKN opened up a BKN New Media office in Barcelona, Spain in order to control assets in the country, alongside Portugal, Italy, France, and Latin America.[45][46] On January 19th, the company formed a new sub-division called BKN Home Entertainment for the United Kingdom and the United States, in order to distribute and market their products onto the DVD market. Alongside the already announced Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Kong: Return to the Jungle, BKN also confirmed to be producing direct-to-video material based on public domain works, which included A Christmas Carol, Robin Hood, Jungle Book, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Prince and the Pauper, The Three Musketeers, Gulliver's Travels, Alice in Wonderland, and The Nutcracker, as well as already-existing shows like Legend of the Dragon, Kong - The Animated Series. and Dork Hunters from Outer Space. BKN also confirmed they would self-distribute in the United Kingdom, and partner up with other distributors in the United States.[47][48] On February 7, 2006, BKN signed a deal with for the production of a new Zorro television series titled Zorro: Generation Z. with a delivery of 26 episodes aimed for delivery in 2007.[49][50] The deal also included the production of direct-to-video movie (Later named as Zorro: Return to the Future) and an addition of 13 more episodes if needed.[51]

On May 15, 2008, BKN announced the production of two new films for a DVD release that year - Zorro and Scarlet Whip - Revealed!, and Dork Hunters and the Pirates of Tortuga Island.[52] On October 10th, the company announced they had signed a co-pro agreement with Canadian studio Huminah Huminah Animation to produce a new series called Pocket Penguin Adventures for a Spring and Fall 2010 delivery.[53][54]

In January 2009, BKNI was involved in talks to buy Entertainment Rights.[55] On May 28th, the company announced a new 2D/3D animated series called Joshua Blake: The Legacy in co-production with Huminah Huminah Animation, for a Spring 2011 delivery date.[56][57] In the middle of the year, the company delisted from the London stock exchange while remaining on the Deutsche Bourse.[58]

In mid-year, BKN International filed for insolvency and began its sale of its assets in December 2009.[59] By the beginning of January 2010, over twenty companies were in the talks of purchasing the company's assets.[60]In October 2011, it was announced that Cyprus based management company Emba Media Management International Ltd had acquired BKN International's former assets.[61]

In July 2010, Allen Bohbot started up a new company, 41 Entertainment.[58] Currently, 41 hold the rights to BKN's former properties under 41's BKN Entertainment subsidiary.

Programming Library

Shows

Cancelled Shows

  • BKN's The Invisible Man (2001)
  • BKN's The Lost Continent (2001)
  • The Invisible Private Eye - Detective for Hire (2001)
  • Shanghai Tiger (2006)
  • Pocket Penguins (2010)
  • Joshua Blake: The Agency (2011)

Asian-distributed Shows

Movies

  • Kong: King of Atlantis (2004)
  • Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves - the Lost Scimitar of Arabia (2005)
  • A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's Ghostly Tale (2006)
  • Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
  • Zorro: Return to the Future (2006)
  • Jungle Book: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to the Rescue (2006)[59]
  • Alice in Wonderland - What's the Matter with Hatter? (2007)
  • Robin Hood- Quest for the King (2007)
  • The Prince and the Pauper - Double Trouble (2007)
  • The Three Musketeers - Saving the Crown (2007)
  • Zorro and Scarlet Whip - Revealed! (2009)
  • Dork Hunters and the Pirates of Tortuga Island (2010)

Cancelled Movies

  • Jack and the Beanstalk
  • Gulliver's Travels
  • The Nutcracker

References

  1. ^ "New York Companies"BOHBOT ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA, INC. nycompaniesindex.com, Retrieved on March 14, 2014
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c BKN HOME ENTERTAINMENT, INC. bizapedia.com, Retrieved on May 5, 2014
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Elliott, Stuart (January 5, 1994). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING -- ADDENDA; Bohbot to Divide Business Into 2 Units". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Kirchdoerffer, Ed (March 1, 1996). "Bohbot expands promos". Kidscreen. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Schlosser, Joe (October 5, 1998). "Bohbot zigs out of syndication". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Lowry, Brian (March 21, 1993). "Sonic' is the top hog on DIC toon slate". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c "'A.J.'s Time Travelers' Distributor Bohbot Media And Producer Gianni Russo Lose $54.2 Million Lawsuit". PR Newswire. Jul 20, 2000. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Bohbot Star Search". Variety. March 23, 1997. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Issue 3.2. "Bohbot Syndicating Second Kids Net". Animation World Magazine. May 1998. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  10. ^ Issue 2.8. "Bohbot Branches Out". Animation World Magazine. November 1997. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  11. ^ https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/bkn-inc-closes-media-unit-29380/
  12. ^ Freeman, Michael (April 13, 1998). "Bohbot financial report discloses Chris-Craft stake". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  13. ^ Freeman, Michael (September 28, 1998). "Bohbot's 2000 Kids Tour". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  14. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (November 3, 1998). "Kidvid syndie taps animator vet Graziano". Variety. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e DeMott, Rick (January 17, 2001). "BKN International Buys Its Former Parent Company". Animation World Network. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  16. ^ Mark Ribbing, Mark (January 20, 2000). "Sinclair sues ex-executive, rival over his option to buy stations". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  17. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 26. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  18. ^ Issue 2.11. Kenyon, Heather (February 1998). "NATPE 1998: It's A Tough Market But Someone is Selling..." Animation World Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  19. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121121748/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/rep2000.pdf
  20. ^ "BKN Acquires Arles Animation".
  21. ^ "BKN Summons New Spells Series".
  22. ^ "What's developing in kids production".
  23. ^ "BKN beefs up licensing presence in U.K."
  24. ^ "BKN Licenses GoodTimes Library".
  25. ^ "BKN Int. Launches New Media Division".
  26. ^ Blaney, Martin (January 17, 2001). "Sony acquires chunk of expanding BKNI". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  27. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121121603/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/rep2001.pdf
  28. ^ "BKN reveals Legend of the Dragon".
  29. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121122022/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/ANNUAL_2002_ENGLISH.pdf
  30. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121121840/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/ConsolidatedEnglish2003.pdf
  31. ^ "Germany's BKN secures London Stock Exchange listing".
  32. ^ https://citywire.co.uk/funds-insider/news/king-kong-a-money-spinner-for-bkn/a257176
  33. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20081120094701/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/press040504.pdf
  34. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121121920/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/AnnualReport2004.pdf
  35. ^ "BKN announces launch of 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Lost Scimitar of Arabia'".
  36. ^ "BKN Issues Stock to do Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Series".
  37. ^ "BKN Inks Int'l Deals". 8 September 2004.
  38. ^ "Investegate |BKN International AG Announcements | BKN International AG: Distribution contracts".
  39. ^ https://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/news/the-legend-of-bkn/a263684
  40. ^ "Investegate |BKN International AG Announcements | BKN International AG: Placing".
  41. ^ "Dork Hunters Stalk BKN". 6 December 2005.
  42. ^ "UTV expands Toons division". Indiantelevision.com. October 25, 2005. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  43. ^ "UTV, BKN in $10m animation deal".
  44. ^ "UTV to Animate Kong the Next Generation for BKN".
  45. ^ "BKN opens Spanish office".
  46. ^ "BKN Opens a Spanish Office in Barcelona".
  47. ^ "BKN Launches Home Video Division".
  48. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071114024031/http://www.bknkids.com/pdfs/Feb06BKN%20Newsletter.pdf
  49. ^ "BKN drawn to 'Zorro' for TV, DVD pic". 7 February 2006.
  50. ^ "BKN brings Zorro up to date".
  51. ^ "BKN signs exclusive global animation license to Zorro". 9 February 2006.
  52. ^ "BKN Releases Two New Films".
  53. ^ "BKN and Huminah hatch Pocket Penguins".
  54. ^ "DGAP-News: BKN International AG: Pocket Penguins begin Canadian adventure". 10 October 2008.
  55. ^ Andrews, Amanda; Ben Harrington (January 7, 2009). "Three companies in talks to buy Entertainment Rights". The Telegraph. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  56. ^ "BKN launches Joshua Blake: The Agency".
  57. ^ "BKN starts work on $13m Joshua Blake kids series". 28 May 2009.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b Grant, Jules (July 5, 2010). "Ungar onboard Bohbot's 41 Entertainment". C21Media. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  59. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "IP Sales Process Underway for BKN International". Licensing Magazine. December 18, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  60. ^ "Twenty in the hunt for BKN assets". 4 January 2010.
  61. ^ "Your Family Entertainment AG: STRONG PARTNERS - New owners of the BKN Catalogue sign an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Your Family Entertainment AG - dgap.de".
  62. ^ "BKN seals TV Broadcast Deals and Pan-European Master Toy Deal for DORK HUNTERS FROM OUTER SPACE". animationxpress.com. February 14, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  63. ^ "DGAP-News: BKN International AG: BKN today announced that it has appointed the following licensing and merchandising agents to market its properties". 13 August 2008.

External links

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