PUFFIN ROCKS WINS GONG AT TV AWARDS

‘Puffin Rock’ made by Derry based Dog Ears won out in the battle for Best Children’s and/or Animation Programme.

The company picked up the gong last night at the inaugural regional Royal Television Society Northern Ireland Programme Awards.

Earlier this year it was revealed that the children’s TV series on RTE will be soon be screened around the world.

For TV streaming giant Netflix says it is picking up the Irish-based ‘Puffin Rock’ animated series.

It is made Cartoon Saloon in conjunction with Derry-based firm Dog Ears.

‘Puffin Rock’, aimed at pre-schoolers, who may prefer to call it “Puffin Wock”, is based on a family of cute puffins who live on a wild island off the coast of Ireland, like to explore and (surprise) always end up living happily ever after.

The lead character is Oona, with the Úna spelling presumably seen as a bridge too far for international audiences who might confuse it with the Spanish or Italian feminine indefinite article.

The Chris O’Dowd-narrated series already shows on RTÉ Junior and on Nick Jr but will now reach audiences in the US, Canada, Latin America, the Benelux countries, France and Germany from September.