CraveTV and Letterkenny producers New Metric Media announced on Oct. 23 that they are joining forces to make the popular comedy about small town life into a worldwide entertainment brand.
The deal comprises a multi-year partnership on production, including investment in existing and new ways getting the Letterkenny brand out there on merchandise, and a partnership on the international sales and distribution of the series, alongside DHX Media.
The deal was negotiated by Bell Media's Justin Stockman and Carlyn Klebuc, as well as Mark Montefiore of New Metric Media, and Jayme Alter, Denton's Canada LLP.
In the agreement, CraveTV and New Metric Media will partner on the production of more than 40 new episodes. With Seasons 1-3 currently streaming, the agreement commits to a total of at least 73 episodes of the award-winning original comedy.
CraveTV's part of the deal includes marketing Letterkenny across several platforms, as well as finding new ways of getting the series' name on merchandise, like Puppers Premium Lager, which was made in partnership with Stack Brewery in Sudbury.
The partnership also includes cross-promotional support for the just-announced, 26-city Letterkenny Live tour, a 90-minute comedy experience starring Jared Keeso (Wayne), Nathan Dales (Daryl), K Trevor Wilson (Dan) and Mark Forward (Coach), kicking off in Halifax on Feb. 28, with plans to extend into the United States.
Finally, CraveTV and New Metric Media struck a multi-year deal to partner on the sale and distribution of the series and its format, alongside DHX Media, to the international market. The series and format was officially rolled out to international buyers this week at MIPCOM in Cannes, France.
Based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, the half-hour comedy is currently a top performer and marquee program for the streaming service since it made its memorable launch on Super Bowl Sunday 2015.
As previously announced, a special Halloween episode of Letterkenny, "The Haunting of MoDean's II", is streaming exclusively on CraveTV. Another six-pack of new episodes is set to launch later this year.
