(Vancouver, BC) — It’s been an exhilarating week for Studio B Productions, which has secured commitment letters from broadcasters for three new shows — Yakkity Yak, Bein’ Ian and Something Else — since Monday.

In response to the broadcast confirmations, Studio B has submitted Canadian Funding applications and plans to be in production on all three shows by early 2002.

“It’s been an incredible week and a huge achievement for the company,” says Chris Bartleman, co-founder and partner, Studio B Productions. “This brings our current roster of original shows to six, and 2002 is set to be a very busy year for us.”

Yakkity Yak (52 x 11 minute series for eight to 12 year olds) is about the misadventures of Yakkity — a teenage yak aspiring to be a stand-up comedian but amusing only his best friend Keo (himself the result of an unnatural union between an actress and a pineapple) with his bad jokes and inept magic tricks. The project is a Canada/Australia treaty co-production between Studio B and Kapow Pictures and is confirmed for broadcast on Teletoon in Canada, and distributed by Nickelodeon Worldwide.

Bein’ Ian (52 x 11 minute series for eight to 11 year olds) from Ian Corlett (creator of Yvon of the Yukon) is about Ian Kelly, an 11 year-old with a fascination for films and an incredible imagination. The distributor for the new show is Decode and the broadcaster in Canada is YTV.

Something Else, (26 x 13 minutes), based on the award-winning children’s illustrated book by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell. This comedy driven series for a 5 to 9 year old audience is a Canada/UK treaty co-production with TV-Loonland and will be broadcast in Canada on the Family Channel.

Studio B Productions is a leading, award-winning television production studio that employs more than 100 of Canada’s top artists, writers and producers.

The company currently has three shows airing on national television: D’Myna Leagues on CTV and YTV, Yvon of the Yukon — which was recently nominated for two Gemini awards — airs on YTV, and What About Mimi?, which airs on Teletoon.