French animation, production, and distribution company Dandelooo has secured a deal with popular free-to-air television channel, Tiny Pop, for Billy the Cowboy Hamster. The preschool series is set to premiere exclusively on UK Free TV in May 2023.
Commissioned by France Televisions, Billy the Cowboy Hamster (52 x 11’), produced by Dandelooo’s animation studio Ooolala in la Cartoucherie, Valence (France), with Belgian co-production partners Digital Graphix, Atmosphere Media and RTBF, is directed by the talented Swiss illustrator Antoine Rota (Kaeeloo) and Caz Murrell.
Targeted at 4- to 7-year-olds, Billy the Cowboy Hamster is based on the eponym series of seven books by Dutch author and illustrator Catharina Valckx, published by l’école des loisirs. With over one million books sold in France and numerous other countries such as Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, China and Japan, Billy the Cowboy Hamster follows three friends, Billy, Jean-Claude the worm and Suzie the stone marten as they embark on thrill-seeking adventures.
Claudia Dalley, Head of Programming for the POP Channels at Narrative Entertainment, says, “We are delighted to have Billy the Cowboy Hamster joining our Tiny Pop family next year. The show is an excellent adaptation of the much-loved book, with beautiful 2D animation that emulates and brings the illustrations to life. Characters and storylines are well-written, and the comedy embedded throughout gives the show that magical co-viewing appeal we are always looking for at Tiny Pop.”
Emmanuèle Pétry Sirvin, Co-Founder of Dandelooo adds, “I’m delighted that Tiny Pop will once again be sharing our beloved, famous French characters with British children, our young friends over the channel. Billy the Cowboy Hamster is such a special series which will, I’m sure enthral kids with its humour and quirkiness.”
