‘Garth & Bev’, an animated series for four to eight year olds, which is produced by Kavaleer Productions, premiered on RTÉ Two's The Den on Monday, November 22nd and, following this there has been a significant increase on the average viewership for the slot (approximately 2.50pm to 3pm weekdays) which previously featured international animation.
The highest peak share to date is 33.2% which producers say is a possible reflection of the appeal of indigenous animation to young viewers in this country.
Over 75 people were employed throughout production of the ‘Garth and Bev’ series and financing was provided by RTÉ, BBC, The Irish Film Board, BCI and the Irish tax incentive schemes, Section 481, in conjunction with co-production partners Copernicus Studios. In the series Garth and his sister Bev live in the stone age but, with a little magical help from their grandfather Lir, they can travel anywhere in time around the world. The programmes are directed by Stuart Shankly and are produced by Gary Timpson and Paul Rigg.
Sheila DeCourcy, Commissioning Editor for RTÉ Young Peoples says: "Garth & Bev has been a great success. Supporting Irish animators and actors is hugely important to us and we are delighted that we could help Kavaleer in terms of funding and broadcasting."
Gary Timpson, Managing Director of Kavaleer continued this positive strain, commenting: " Garth & Bev is a fine example of how a great idea can flourish if the support & encouragement is there and we are certainly delighted with the response that the series has received since its launch on RTÉ Two's The Den. Garth & Bev will commence on Cbeebies early in 2010, and I would like to take this opportunity thank all the cast & crew for a sterling job, keep watching!"
Andrew Kavanagh, CEO of Kavaleer and creator of ‘Garth and Bev’ concluded: "It's great to see a show conceived and set in Ireland winning such great audience figures in the timeslot. It proves that home-grown entertainment can hold its own against internationally syndicated kids shows and I hope to see Garth & Bev screening across the Globe over the coming years."
