News | RTL Group | Cologne, 10/30/2020

Super RTL Secures ‘Asterix’ Marketing Rights

The Cologne based channel Super RTL has secured the commercialization rights for the popular “Asterix” brand from the French publisher Hachette. In addition, the channel will bring the animated series “Idefix” to Germany. With more than 380 million sold copies, “Asterix” is one of the world’s most successful comic book series.

In the future, the Cologne based channel Super RTL will be responsible for the brand’s management in Germany. For many years, it has broadcast Asterix films. The French publisher Hachette and Super RTL have signed an exclusive partnership deal, which includes the rights to the “Asterix” brand – with comics, films and merchandise products – as well as the broadcast of the new animated series “Idefix”. Thorsten Braun, Chief Revenue Officer of Super RTL, said: “We are very happy that we were able to win Asterix, one of children’s and parents’ timeless favorite brands that has lost nothing of its charm after more than 60 years and still has plenty of potential. In combination with ‘Idefix’, we are looking forward to exciting commercialisation possibilities for a highly attractive franchise concept, which we can sustainably play out across all of our platforms.”

Idefix – or Dogmatix – is the small dog of Obelix and one of the most popular sidekicks of the comic book series. Hachette dedicated a special animated series for children to him, which Super RTL will bring to Germany next year. The CGI series “Idefix” for the first time focuses on the adventures of the small dog before he encountered Asterix and Obelix. The plot sounds familiar: it is set in the year 52 B.C., two years before he meets Axterix and Obelix. The entire home region of Idefix is occupied by the Romans; however, a group of animal friends, led by Idefix, continuously resists the invaders… The series picks up the typical humor and famous motifs of the adventures of the courageous Gauls in 52 eleven-minute episodes and transports both into the world of animals. Fans can also look forward to guest appearances of famous characters from the comic and film series. “Asterix and Super RTL are connected by a long story of success,” said Claude Schmit, Managing Director of Super RTL. “Whenever we have the film classics in our program, they excite families across Germany and always produce fantastic ratings. I am certain that the adventures of Idefix will fascinate our viewers as well!"