NODDY GOES SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ON FIVE

Children's TV favourite Noddy, created by Enid Blyton, is to go where even Coronation Street and Eastenders have not - in the TV schedules seven days a week, 365 days a year.

In a joint announcement on Wednesday, March 17th Noddy's owners, Chorion plc and UK broadcast partner Five, confirmed that 'Make Way for Noddy' will go out for the first time on Five's Milkshake children's programme strand this Saturday morning, March 19 at 7.45am to add to Noddy's current TV appearances at the same time from Sunday to Fridays inclusive.

What is more, for the next month, the nation's one-to-six year olds will be treated to double back-to back 'Make Way for Noddy' episodes charting Noddy's Toyland adventures with his friends Big-Ears, Tessie Bear, Bumpy the Dog , Mr Plod, not to mention those naughty goblins, Sly and Gobbo.

Noddy's TV fame has already spread internationally to more than 100 markets around the world, becoming one of Britain's biggest TV exports. Recent TV signings include Japan and PBS Plus in America. Five are also co-production partners with Chorion in a new 100 x two-minute educational 'Say it with Noddy' TV language shorts, where Noddy will be going multi-lingual featuring five languages French, Spanish, Mandarin, Swahili and Urdu.

"Make way for Noddy" has been a cornerstone for Five's early morning Milkshake programming block since September 2002." said Nick Wilson, Five's controller of children's programming." Noddy now deserves his everyday slot, and our ratings figures prove his popularity!"

So don't forget to tune into Five everyday at 7.45am to see what Noddy and his Toyland friends are up to

Chorion and Five co-produce 100 new Noddy episodes

"Say it with Noddy" to debut in UK and USA

London-- Chorion plc (LSE: COR) and British terrestrial television network, Five, today unveiled "Say it with Noddy", a new animated co-production which aims to introduce pre-school children to new languages and cultures.

The 100 x 2-minute CGI-animated series, which is scheduled to premiere in the UK at the turn of the year, will feature familiar words and phrases children may hear in other languages in their own communities.

In the UK, "Say it with Noddy" will feature five languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin, Swahili and Urdu. The programme, however, has been specifically designed to allow broadcasters in other countries to showcase different languages of their own choosing.

Each episode can also be broadcast either as a standalone programme in its own right or as a companion to "Make Way for Noddy", the popular CGI animated series that follows the adventures of Noddy and his Toyland friends. "Say it with Noddy" will begin airing in the United States on national public broadcaster PBS in July.

Additionally, the format opens up new opportunities for Noddy licensees in video, publishing, multimedia, online, merchandising and promotions.

Today's announcement enhances the ongoing relationship between Chorion and Five, which has been the home of Noddy in the UK since 2002 and ensures a continued and consistent broadcast platform for the Noddy brand.

"Make Way for Noddy" has been a cornerstone of Five's early morning Milkshake programming bloc since September 2002 and has re-established the little boy with the tinkling hat, created by Enid Blyton, as a must-have property. The series today airs in more than 100 markets around the world and has become one of the UK's biggest television exports.

Nicholas James, Chief Executive of Chorion PLC said:

"Chorion's proven ability to add value to classic brands, coupled with the global potential for character-led early learning, make me confident that "Say it with Noddy" will be a big hit around the world. I am especially delighted by Five's involvement as a co-production partner. The network's commitment to Noddy has been a critical factor in transforming him into one of the most powerful pre-school home entertainment brands."

Five's Controller of Children's Programming, Nick Wilson, said:

"Make Way for Noddy" has been a tremendous hit for us and remains a cornerstone of our pre-school programming strand Milkshake. Using Noddy to help pre school children experience new languages is a powerful extension of Milkshake's ambitions to not only entertain but stimulate and educate its young audience. I'm sure soon most of the nation's pre school children will learn to "Say it With Noddy"."