PARIS– Gaumont Animation has closed a raft of sales on “Calimero,” the CGI toon series’ reboot of the cult original 1963 skein featuring an endearing little black chicken.

“Calimero” was acquired by Discovery Kids (Latin America), TiJI (Russia), TG4 (Ireland), RTBF (Belgium), Ketnet (Belgium), Zappelin (The Netherlands), Just4Kids (Benelux), Hop (Israel), Prava i Prevodi (Serbia) and RTV (Slovenia).

“Audiences around the world have been following the adventures of Calimero for over five decades,” said Pierre Belaisch, Gaumont Animation’s managing director. “With these new sales reaching multiple territories, we are now able to extend and introduce this lovable, iconic character to an entire new audience of children.”

Created in 1963 by Nino Pagot, Toni Pagot and Ignazio Colnaghi, “Calimero” became an international hit with 290 episodes of animation that aired in more than 80 countries. Gaumont Animation holds worldwide sales rights excluding Asia.

The toon series, which was commissioned by TF1 and Disney Junior, centers on Calimero’s wild adventures between school and secret meetings with his friends.

Other flagship series on Gaumont Animations’ slate include “Dude That’s My Ghost,” “Lanfeust Quest,” “Galactik Football,” “Robotboy” and “Santa’s Apprentice.”