Sweden's national broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT) has signed an agreement with local media major Svensk Filmindustri (SF) and it's subsidy Happy Life, which will span three years and more than 80 hours of entertainment for kids.

Kicking off from spring 2002, the deal will include alread- established characters like Karlsson On The Roof, Sune and Pettson & Findus, as well as new concepts in development.

"Swedish animation is flourishing and it is great to be able to be a part of that," says Johanna Frelin, head of children's and youth programming at SVT Fiktion in Stockholm. "We are really good at making animation in Sweden, but can't avoid being a small country in that respect. But that's why it is so much better to be able to support Swedish producers and animators." The deal was negotiated by Johan Mardell (SVT), Johanna Frelin (SVT Fiktion), Rasmus Ramstad (SF), Kerstin Bonnier (SF) and Peter Gustafsson (Happy Life).

"We're really glad to be able to go into a long term collaboration with SVT Fiktion, and see this a chance to develop Swedish animation together," says SF head Rasmus Ramstad. "This will mean a lot to everyone involved in Swedish animation." Among Happy Life's projects in development are Lisa, Pettson & Findus (feature2: King Cat) and The World Of Tosh.