Boom, boom! Now we've got Orbie

Entertainment Rights, the media group that's bringing
Basil Brush back to British TV screens, has secured global distribution rights for the hit children's TV series,
Katie and Orbie. The Canadian-made series features US actor Leslie Neilsen - famous for his roles in
Airplane! and the
Naked Gun series - as the narrator.

Entertainment Rights, the media group that's bringing Basil Brush back to British TV screens, has secured global distribution rights for the hit children's TV series, Katie and Orbie. The Canadian-made series features US actor Leslie Neilsen - famous for his roles in Airplane! and the Naked Gun series - as the narrator.

Katie and Orbie's first 39 programmes were a hit when shown on Channel 4 and the Disney Channel: now the show's makers, Amberwood, are producing 26 more episodes on the adventures of a precocious five-year-old, Katie, who explores the world with her friend, the small, pink and inquisitive, Orbie.

Entertainment Rights has an exclusive worldwide distribution deal - apart from Canada - for 10 years with an option for another five. The deal is the latest in the expansion of Entertainment Rights, that's been transformed from the old Sleepy Kids, by Mike Heap, a former music executive. The group owns the rights to the Duchess of York's Budgie the Helicopter books, and recently bought Basil Brush, the 1970s children's character famous for his "Boom Boom!" catchphrase. Now Basil Brush will star in a sitcom for older children and young adults.

The company has also been developing its own series including Merlin the Magic Puppy, Beany & Cecil and Meeow! about a Scottish cat.

Entertainment Rights will also develop merchandising for all these programmes.