Syfy Strikes Deal With THQ

Companies will develop properties for games, television, digital

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/11/2010 1:14:50 PM

Syfy and video game publisher THQ have struck a deal to develop original properties for use across all media platforms. The deal will also take established video game properties, and adapt them for other platforms.

The first franchise to make the jump will be de Blob, which will be developed under the Syfy Kids banner.

"This deal with THQ is an important foundation in building the Syfy Kids brand and delivering cutting-edge, interactive, story-telling experiences that live beyond the linear television screen," said Dave Howe, president of Syfy. "Syfy Kids will bring the wonder and excitement of imagine-based entertainment to a whole new generation of born digital consumers who expect their media on any platform, any place, anytime."

Syfy also announced a deal with digital entertainment studio Worldwide Biggies to launch a new property, Dr What, across the traditional and interactive media properties.

"Worldwide Biggies has taken the traditional development model for creating an intellectual property and really flipped it on its head," said Albie Hecht, CEO and Founder of Worldwide Biggies Inc. "Our goal is to embed our characters with transmedia DNA and launch as innovative digital content, then take them to traditional formats. We feel Dr. What is a great representation of our Gametoon technology and we are very excited to be partnering with a company like Syfy that truly understands where the future of children's entertainment is at."