SPI International Acquires Digital Distribution Rights to The Smurfs

SPI/FilmBox has struck a deal with IMPS and LAFIG Belgium for the VOD rights of the classic cartoon series The Smurfs. The series will be available to viewers on SPI owned digital assets with English, Turkish, Dutch and Polish language options

Global media company SPI International acquired the digital distribution rights of the classic TV series The Smurfs and the feature length film The Smurfs and the Magic Flute from LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the worldwide licensors of the beloved cartoon characters, for its own digital assets.  The deal, which was negotiated by Revi Benshoshan, Director of Acquisitions at SPI International, and Anne-Claire de Briey, Licensing Manager Audiovisual at IMPS, gives SPI worldwide AVOD and SVOD distribution rights to the content on SPI owned or operated digital assets such as FilmBox on demand branded corners, FilmBox+ and Film1 streaming services and the ad-supported digital channel Filmstream. The classic series will be available on-demand with English, Turkish, Dutch and Polish dubbing options.   

“The Smurfs is an iconic and worldwide recognizable brand that has been touching people’s lives in a positive way for decades. We are very excited to acquaint a new generation of viewers with the magical world of Smurfs and to inspire those who grew up with the beloved series to tend to their inner child more often,” commented Revi Benshoshan.

“This new distribution deal with SPI/FilmBox is fantastic news. It makes me so happy to know that so many parents will be able to share their love for the Smurfs with their kids watching this great series together,” said Véronique Culliford, President of IMPS/Lafig and the daughter of Peyo, creator of the Smurfs.

 

About Peyo, LAFIG Belgium/IMPS (International Merchandising Promotions & Services)

IMPS, together with LAFIG Belgium, are the official licensors of the little blue-skinned characters ‘The Smurfs.’ Over the years, IMPS has worked in close collaboration with its agents worldwide to develop successful licensed merchandising, retail and co-branded promotions, publishing activities, broadcasting deals, theme parks, live shows and family entertainment centers that have secured the everlasting success of the Smurfs.  IMPS is run by Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Pierre Culliford, the creator of the Smurfs, who is better known under his pseudonym Peyo. Véronique has run IMPS since 1984 and controls with LAFIG Belgium the rights to the Smurfs characters and the Smurfs licensing worldwide.

 

About SPI INTERNATIONAL

SPI INTERNATIONAL is a global media company operating 42 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide.
SPI was founded 28 years ago and has extensive experience in the TV and broadcasting industry. The company operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, CIS and Ex-Yugo regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia, the Netherlands and Russia. SPI is one of the premier movie service providers in the countries where it operates, with FilmBox being its flagship movie service. SPI Group owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services. 

SPI’s brands reach millions of households through operators, partner platforms and SPI’s own digital products globally. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content and FilmBox+ service that has over one million subscribers. The company recently launched a new digital service, Dizi, a state-of-the-art aggregator of the best Turkish series worldwide. SPI also owns and operates the brand assets of Film1 premium movie services in The Netherlands, including four linear channels and an on-demand service.

For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand.