ERT Enter Rights.

RNS Number:3557T
Entertainment Rights PLC
31 October 2005




               ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS ACQUIRES MAJORITY INTEREST IN
                     RUPERT BEAR(R) FROM EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Entertainment Rights Plc ("ER"), one of the UK's leading independent media
groups specialising in the ownership of children's and family programming,
characters and brands announces today the acquisition of the controlling rights
to Rupert Bear(R) from Express Newspapers ("Express").

Highlights:

   * ER acquires worldwide in perpetuity audio visual, licensing and
    merchandising, publishing, live events and new media rights to Rupert Bear
    (R)


   * ER acquires right to produce new Rupert Bear(R) programming in all
    formats and genres


   * Acquisition creates opportunity to develop Rupert Bear(R) into leading
    global children's brand


   * New animated programming in development


   * Express retains minority interest in Rupert Bear(R) of 33.33% plus right
    to publish Rupert Bear(R) comic strips in certain Express publications


   * Total consideration of #6 million financed by a new facility ER has
    negotiated with its principal banker, Bank of Scotland


   * The #6 million consideration is payable by ER as to #3 million on
    completion with the balance payable in 2 instalments no later than 15
    January 2007


Rupert Bear(R) is one of the most recognisable children's characters in the
world. Created in 1920, Rupert Bear(R) continues to enjoy an avid following
nearly 85 years after first appearing in the The Daily Express as a comic strip.

Rupert Bear(R) is a significant acquisition for ER and is a key addition to ER's
stable of children's brands.  Rupert Bear(R), a UK classic, is recognised in
many international territories including the key markets of the US, Canada,
Australasia, France, Germany and Spain with 50 million annuals sold worldwide to
date. This recognition combined with ER's proven expertise in reinvigorating
children's properties provides a platform for Rupert Bear(R) to become a leading
global children's brand with significant merchandising potential and the
capability to embrace modern media platforms.

Rupert Bear(R) joins ER's cast of iconic characters and brands including Postman
Pat(R), Little Red TractorTM, Basil Brush(R) and He-Man and the Masters of the
UniverseTM. ER has an enviable track record in developing under exploited brands
and making them relevant to today's children as demonstrated by the strong
global presence of Postman Pat(R), which has broadcast platforms secured in key
international territories including the US and Japan.

A new Rupert Bear(R) television series is currently in development and ER will
be implementing a full consumer products campaign and DVD release programme for
the brand.

Mike Heap, CEO, Entertainment Rights Plc commented:

"We are absolutely delighted by the addition of Rupert Bear to our stable of
global children's brands. Whilst Rupert will retain his distinctive look and
character and will maintain his existing friendships, he will be joined in
Nutwood by a brand new cast of characters. This is a significant deal for ER and
we are delighted to conclude this agreement with Express. ER's track record and
expertise in building brands makes ER a natural home for Rupert. I have no doubt
that Rupert Bear will continue to delight generations of children around the
world."

                                     -Ends-
Enquiries:

Entertainment Rights Plc
Mike Heap, CEO 0208 762 6200
Elizabeth Gaines, Finance Director
Liz Morris, Head of PR

Bell Pottinger
David Rydell/Sarah Landgrebe 0207 861 3232

Editors Notes:

   * Entertainment Rights Plc ("ER") is one of the UK's leading specialist
    media groups focused on the ownership of high quality children's and family
    programming, characters and brands

   * ER owns or controls the rights to many classic characters including
    Basil Brush(R), Postman Pat(R), Little Red TractorTM, He-Man and the Masters
    of the Universe, Fat Albert and the Cosby kids, She-Ra and Ghostbusters

   * Since 1999, when ER owned rights to just 50 hours of programming, ER's
    library has grown to over 1,800 hours of high quality children's and family
    characters and brands. This includes selected rights to global brands such
    as Mattel's BarbieTM, Scholastic's CliffordTM, Hasbro's TransformersTM,
    Harveytoons Casper the Friendly Ghost and Classic Media's Felix the Cat

   * In September 2004 ER acquired Tell-Tale Productions, creators and
    producers of The Tweenies and added a significant development and production
    slate to the ER portfolio including Fun Song Factory, BB3B and Boo!

   * ER has grown rapidly. Annual revenues have increased from #1.8m in 1999
    to #25.5m in 2004, the last reported financial year

   * ER is ideally placed to extend and exploit its portfolio of quality
    programming with its own television distribution, licensing division, and an
    established home entertainment label, Right Entertainment






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
ACQUWARRVORRUUA

Entertainment Rights (LSE:ERT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2025 to Mar 2025

Entertainment Rights (LSE:ERT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Mar 2025