MUMBAI: DQE has signed a co-production deal with Super Prod and Story Board Animation (France) in association with major French Broadcaster TF1 and with a global pre-sales budget of Euro 7 million.

The 52 episode animated series of Lassie and Friends is being co-developed by DQE with Classic Media – UK, rights holders of the property and co-production partners ZDF Group (Germany), who hold the rights to Germany and German-speaking Europe.

Super Prod will hold the rights for French-speaking Europe (France and domestic territories, Monaco, Andorra, French-speaking Switzerland and French-speaking Belgium) and exploitation of the French version of the series worldwide.

This animated series, is being targeted for girls and boys of ages 5 to 10, to be released by fall 2011, beginning 2012.

DQE Group chairman & CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, “The heart warming response Lassie & Friends has received in Cannes has given us confidence in our endeavor to reincarnate the world’s most loved canine. Lassie in her new animated avatar, going into production shortly, will surely be loved by audiences across the world. We are grateful to our long standing partners ZDF, Classic Media and TF1 for their continued support in our initiative to resurrect classical properties and welcome Super Prod on this new journey.”

Superprod France CEO Clement Calvet said, “I am excited to launch Superprod with such an outstanding property and honored to share the credits with such prestigious partners.”

ZDF Enterprises president and CEO Alexander Coridass said, "We are pleased to be partners again in this new iconic production of DQE. The loveable Lassie has been known by children all over the world for many decades. We are convinced that this new and up-to-date version of Lassie will enchant modern audiences and at the same time will still transfer the spirit of the original novel."

Classic Media Co-CEO Eric Ellenbogen said, “Classic Media is delighted to partner with Tapaas Chakravarti and DQE, as well as the team at ZDF, for Lassie & Friends. With our outstanding partners, we have re-imagined the story of the world’s most famous dog in 2D animation and we are excited to introduce Lassie to the next generation of fans around the agreement signed in globe.”