The Smurfs Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, the number-one network for kids, and LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the worldwide licensors for The Smurfs, are partnering to bring a brand-new original CG-animated series based on the iconic property to a new generation of kids and families around the world.

Under the deal, Nickelodeon has licensed the global rights to The Smurfs which follows the beloved characters--Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Hefty, Clumsy and others--on all-new adventures, packed with humor, heart and high-stakes action. The series is slated to debut in 2021 in the U.S., followed by Nickelodeon channels internationally, including Australia.

"The Smurfs have entertained generations of kids and families globally, and we are thrilled to bring these identifiable characters, their stories and universal themes of cooperation, sharing and caring for their community to Nickelodeon," said Layla Lewis, Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions and Content Partnerships."

"I am extremely proud and happy to have Nickelodeon and its fantastic team to represent our Smurf brand both for the broadcast of our beautiful New TV series and as an agent. We are making history again more than 40 years after the global success of the first TV series of the Smurfs, which is broadcast in more than 100 countries still today! I am convinced that we could not have found a better partner to Smurf our beautiful blue planet," said Véronique Culliford, Founder & President of IMPS/LAFIG.

Originally premiering in 1981, the first Smurfs animated series lasted for nine seasons. Recently the adventures of the small blue creatures. A hybrid animated and live-action movie starring Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Katy Perry came out in 2011. A sequel followed in 2013. In 2017, an entirely animated movie, Smurfs: The Lost Village featuring the voices of Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Julia Roberts and Mandy Patinkin came out.

The Smurfs is produced by Peyo Productions and Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel. It is directed by William Renaud (Calimero, Casper's Scare School, A Kind of Magic) and written by Peter Saisselin (Sonic Boom, Alvin!!! And the Chipmunks) and Amy Serafin (Sonic Boom, Alvin!!! And the Chipmunks).

The Smurfs will be overseen by Layla Lewis, Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions and Content Partnerships and Dana Cluverius, Senior Vice President, Current Series Animation.

The Smurfs partnership is part of Nickelodeon's strategy to be the home for the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands Nickelodeon's growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue's Clues & You!, the first-ever SpongeBob spinoff, Kamp Koral, and an all-new animated Star Trek series.

About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon, now in its 41^st year globally and 25^th year in Australia, is the number one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes both locally produced and global television programming plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognised and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks.

Nickelodeon Australia has been named Channel of The Year twice by ASTRA and won numerous industry awards. Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels air 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are seen in over 2.3 million households via Foxtel (Channel 701) and Fetch TV (Channel 252). Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is a part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.