Chapman Entertainment
Chapman Entertainment was a British animation company best known for preschool television properties including Fifi and the Flowertots, Roary the Racing Car, Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Chapman Entertainment Limited was a British animation and children's-content company established in London in 2001 by Greg Lynn, character creator Keith Chapman and Andrew Haydon, a former managing director of the artist-management business John Reid Entertainment. The company was designed to develop, produce and exploit intellectual property created by Chapman and other rights holders, with a business model intended to give creators greater participation in the development and commercial exploitation of their properties. The company's origins were closely connected to Keith Chapman's experience with Bob the Builder. Chapman created the character in the early 1990s, but the television property was subsequently developed with HIT Entertainment and produced by HOT Animation. Chapman Entertainment was formed partly in response to Chapman's dissatisfaction with the limited creative and commercial control he had retained over that earlier creation. Its stated purpose was therefore broader than simply operating as an animation studio: it sought to build creator-led preschool franchises and manage their development across television, licensing, distribution and related entertainment formats. Chapman initially pursued partnerships with established distributors and broadcasters. In 2001 it signed an exclusive development agreement with Vision Video, a Universal Pictures Home Video subsidiary, but that arrangement ended after corporate restructuring at Vivendi Universal. The company's first major television production was Fifi and the Flowertots, a stop-motion preschool series commissioned by Channel 5 and Nick Jr. The programme debuted in the United Kingdom in 2005 through Channel 5's Milkshake! block and Nick Jr. UK, with international distribution initially handled through Target Entertainment. Its success established Chapman as a recognizable supplier of British preschool programming and led to further series commissions, licensing activity and distribution arrangements. The company expanded its catalogue with Roary the Racing Car, a preschool series inspired by a concept associated with Brands Hatch employee David Jenkins. The show premiered in 2007 on Channel 5 and Nick Jr. and featured Peter Kay as Big Chris and racing driver Stirling Moss as narrator. HIT Entertainment later acquired distribution rights for Roary and Fifi in North America and Japan. Chapman also planned to increase its internal production capacity, announcing in 2008 that it would open a standalone studio in Altrincham, Cheshire, with a subsequent series of Roary among the first productions associated with the facility. From 2009 onward Chapman broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and production arrangements involving Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, the latter initially developed under the name Rah Rah. Both programmes were associated with CBeebies broadcast plans and premiered in 2011. Despite this expansion, the company encountered rising production costs, difficult trading conditions and weak merchandise performance. Managing director Greg Lynn departed in 2011, followed by substantial redundancies and an attempt to sell the business. The administration of distributor Target Entertainment in 2012 further disrupted Chapman's commercial arrangements, although Cake Entertainment subsequently took on distribution for the catalogue outside the United States and United Kingdom. Chapman Entertainment entered administration in November 2012, with poor toy sales again identified as a principal cause. In September 2013 DreamWorks Animation acquired the company's content library, adding the programmes to its broader family-entertainment portfolio. The acquisition concerned the library and associated content rights rather than a continuation of Chapman Entertainment as an operating studio. The company became dormant after the library transaction and was formally dissolved in August 2017. Its programmes have continued to circulate through later distribution arrangements, including availability in the United States through Peacock.
History
Chapman Entertainment was founded in London in 2001 by Greg Lynn, Keith Chapman and Andrew Haydon. Chapman was the creative figure behind the company and had previously created Bob the Builder in the early 1990s. His experience with the later development of that property influenced the company's structure: Chapman Entertainment aimed to give creators greater involvement in the development and exploitation of intellectual property rather than treating them solely as originators of characters. The business was established to exploit both Chapman's own creations and properties developed by third parties. Its first significant commercial arrangement was an exclusive development deal with Vision Video, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures Home Video, announced in 2001. The agreement contemplated new preschool content, including a pilot for a girl-focused stop-motion series. The relationship ended in 2003 after restructuring at Vivendi Universal, the then-parent group. Chapman's breakthrough came with Fifi and the Flowertots. Channel 5 and Nick Jr. approved the production in 2004, and the programme launched in the United Kingdom in 2005 through Channel 5's Milkshake! block and Nick Jr. UK. The stop-motion series centered on Fifi and a group of flower-themed characters and was designed for preschool audiences. Target Entertainment handled distribution outside the United Kingdom and North America, while Chapman retained other aspects of the commercial programme. A second series was commissioned in 2006, followed by a third-series recommission in 2008. The company introduced Roary the Racing Car in 2005, with the programme premiering in 2007 on Channel 5 and Nick Jr. Its concept was associated with David Jenkins of Brands Hatch. The cast and narration included Peter Kay as Big Chris and racing driver Stirling Moss as narrator. Roary broadened Chapman's appeal beyond garden and nature themes while preserving its preschool focus. HIT Entertainment obtained distribution rights for Roary and Fifi in North America and Japan in 2007. Chapman also expanded the commercial scope of its properties through arrangements covering theatrical shows, attractions and other global exploitation rights. In 2008 Chapman announced plans for a standalone studio in Altrincham, Cheshire. The move was intended to increase production capacity outside London, and a subsequent Roary series was identified as the first production associated with the new facility. In 2009 Chapman acquired two forthcoming preschool properties: Little Charley Bear from HIT Entertainment and Rah Rah from CCI Entertainment and Mackinnon & Saunders. Rah Rah was later renamed Raa Raa the Noisy Lion. Both programmes were scheduled for CBeebies and premiered in 2011, giving Chapman a larger catalogue of preschool brands. Expansion was followed by financial and operational strain. In 2011 Greg Lynn left his managing-director position, and Chapman announced significant redundancies. The company cited rising costs and challenging trading conditions. It also put itself up for sale, identifying poor toy sales as a central problem. Because the company's business model depended not only on television commissions but also on licensing and merchandise, weak toy performance placed pressure on the wider operation. Chapman's distribution network was further disrupted in 2012 when Target Entertainment entered administration. Chapman subsequently agreed a new non-United Kingdom and non-United States distribution arrangement with Cake Entertainment for its catalogue. In November 2012 Chapman itself announced that it would enter administration, again pointing to poor toy sales as a major factor. In September 2013 DreamWorks Animation acquired the Chapman content library. The transaction placed Fifi, Roary, Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa within DreamWorks' expanding family-entertainment holdings, alongside properties obtained through its acquisition of Classic Media. Chapman Entertainment ceased operating as an active studio after the library transaction and was formally dissolved in August 2017. Its programmes have remained available through later rights and distribution arrangements, including United States availability on Peacock.
- 2017
Company is formally dissolved
[1]Chapman Entertainment is dissolved after becoming dormant following the library transaction.
- 2013
DreamWorks Animation acquires the content library
[1]DreamWorks Animation acquires Chapman's programme library and assumes subsequent distribution through its United Kingdom operation.
- 2012
Chapman enters administration
[1]The company announces administration after a period of cost pressure and weak toy sales.
- 2011
New acquired series premiere on CBeebies
[1]Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion launch as part of Chapman's expanded preschool slate.
- 2009
Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa enter the catalogue
[1]Chapman acquires two forthcoming preschool properties, with Rah Rah later renamed Raa Raa the Noisy Lion.
- 2008
Altrincham studio is announced
[1]Chapman announces a standalone studio in Cheshire to expand production capacity.
- 2007
Roary the Racing Car premieres
[1]Chapman's second major series launches on Channel 5 and Nick Jr.
- 2005
Fifi and the Flowertots premieres
[1]The stop-motion preschool series debuts in the United Kingdom on Channel 5's Milkshake! and Nick Jr. UK.
- 2004
Fifi and the Flowertots is commissioned
[1]Channel 5 and Nick Jr. approve Chapman's first major production for a 2005 launch.
- 2003
Vision Video development arrangement ends
[1]Universal's Vision Video withdraws from the development relationship following restructuring at its parent group.
Products and positioning
A creator-oriented British preschool entertainment company focused on developing original character properties and extending them through television, distribution, licensing, home entertainment and related family-entertainment formats.
Preschool stop-motion television series · 2005
Fifi and the Flowertots
Fifi and the Flowertots was Chapman's first major television production and its principal early franchise. The stop-motion series followed Fifi and a community of flower-themed characters in a garden setting, using simple stories and social situations aimed at preschool viewers. It premiered in the United Kingdom in 2005 through Channel 5's Milkshake! block and Nick Jr. UK. Target Entertainment initially handled distribution outside the United Kingdom and North America, while later international rights for selected territories were acquired by HIT Entertainment. The series received additional commissions, including a third series planned for 2009.
Preschool animated television series · 2007
Roary the Racing Car
Roary the Racing Car was Chapman's second major preschool property. Set around a group of racing cars and their human and mechanical companions, the series used motorsport imagery while presenting character-led stories for young children. The concept was suggested by David Jenkins, who worked at Brands Hatch. Peter Kay voiced Big Chris and racing driver Sir Stirling Moss narrated the programme. Roary premiered on Channel 5's Milkshake! and Nick Jr. in 2007. HIT Entertainment later secured distribution rights in North America and Japan, and a later production cycle was associated with Chapman's planned Altrincham studio.
Preschool television series · 2011
Little Charley Bear
Little Charley Bear was a preschool property acquired by Chapman in 2009 from HIT Entertainment. It had originally been developed with London animation studio Annix Studios and had been pre-sold to CBeebies. HIT remained involved as a television and home-entertainment distribution agent after the acquisition. The programme premiered on CBeebies in 2011 and formed part of Chapman's strategy of expanding beyond its two established franchises.
Preschool animated television series · 2011
Raa Raa the Noisy Lion
Raa Raa the Noisy Lion was acquired by Chapman under the working title Rah Rah. The property was associated with CCI Entertainment and Mackinnon & Saunders and had been pre-sold to CBeebies before Chapman's acquisition. The series followed a young lion and other animal characters and was designed for preschool audiences. It premiered on CBeebies in 2011 and continued as one of Chapman's principal catalogue titles after the company expanded its slate. The programme ran through 2018 according to the referenced catalogue information.
Brand decisions
2013
Sell the content library to DreamWorks AnimationM&ABackground
Following administration, Chapman's principal remaining strategic asset was its catalogue of preschool programmes and associated rights.
Action taken
DreamWorks Animation acquired the Chapman content library and took over subsequent distribution through its United Kingdom television-distribution operation.
Aftermath
Chapman Entertainment stopped operating as an active studio, while its programmes continued within DreamWorks' wider family-entertainment library.
2012
Enter administrationOtherBackground
Poor toy sales and broader trading difficulties weakened the company's financial position, while the administration of distributor Target Entertainment added commercial disruption.
Action taken
Chapman Entertainment announced that it would be placed into administration.
Aftermath
DreamWorks Animation acquired the content library in 2013, after which Chapman became dormant and was eventually dissolved.
2011
Seek a buyer during financial pressureStrategyBackground
The company faced rising costs, difficult trading conditions, redundancies and weak performance from toys connected with its properties.
Action taken
Chapman announced that it had put itself up for sale while reducing its workforce.
Aftermath
The company later entered administration in 2012, and its content library was acquired by DreamWorks Animation in 2013.
2009
Acquire Little Charley Bear and Rah RahM&ABackground
Chapman aimed to broaden its preschool portfolio beyond Fifi and Roary and strengthen its pipeline of CBeebies-related productions.
Action taken
The company acquired Little Charley Bear from HIT Entertainment and Rah Rah from CCI Entertainment and Mackinnon & Saunders; Rah Rah was subsequently renamed Raa Raa the Noisy Lion.
Aftermath
Both programmes premiered on CBeebies in 2011 and became part of Chapman's principal catalogue.
2008
Expand production through an Altrincham studioStrategyBackground
Chapman sought to increase its production capacity while continuing to develop a growing preschool catalogue.
Action taken
The company announced plans to open a standalone studio in Altrincham, Cheshire, with a subsequent Roary the Racing Car production identified as an early project.
Aftermath
The studio announcement represented an attempted expansion beyond the company's London base, although the company later experienced financial pressure and entered administration.
2001
Adopt a creator-oriented intellectual-property modelStrategyBackground
The company was established partly in response to Keith Chapman's earlier experience with Bob the Builder, where later development left him with less involvement than he wanted.
Action taken
Chapman Entertainment structured its business around developing and exploiting properties created by Chapman and other rights holders, with the stated aim of increasing creator input and rewards.
Aftermath
The model produced a portfolio of preschool franchises led by Fifi and the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car.
Sources1 sources
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