MoonScoop
MoonScoop Group was a French animation and television production company founded in 2003 through the merger of Antefilms Production (established in 1990) and France Animation (established in 1986), with brothers Christophe and Benoît Di Sabatino at its helm.[1][2] The company specialized in creating and distributing animated series for children and preteens, blending European and American production styles to reach global audiences.[3] MoonScoop quickly expanded internationally by acquiring a majority stake in U.S.-based Mike Young Productions and its distribution arm Taffy Entertainment in 2005; the entities were unified as MoonScoop LLC in 2009.[4] This move facilitated partnerships, such as the 2008 alliance with India's DQE for global co-productions, including the Marvel-based Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes.[1][5] Among its most notable original series were the sci-fi adventure Code Lyoko (2003–2007), which aired on Cartoon Network and inspired live-action spin-offs and games, and Hero: 108 (2010–2012), a fantasy action show co-produced with Gamania.[6][7][8] Other key titles included Chloë's Closet (2009–2012), a preschool series focused on imaginative play, and Dive Olly Dive and Friends (2009–2013), an underwater adventure franchise.[9][8] The company also handled distribution for a vast library of over 3,000 half-hours of content, securing deals like the Spanish broadcast of Code Lyoko on Clan TVE and licensing expansions for Hero: 108 in Europe.[10][2] However, financial challenges culminated in MoonScoop SA entering administration in June 2013, leading to bankruptcy proceedings.[11] In 2014, French studio Ellipsanime acquired the remaining European assets, including rights to Code Lyoko and Hero: 108, while the U.S. division underwent a management buyout by Mike and Liz Young, rebranding as Splash Entertainment.[8][12]History
Formation and Early Development
MoonScoop was established in 2003 through the acquisition of France Animation by Antefilms Production, followed by the merger of their distribution arms to create a unified entity focused on international sales and licensing.[13][14] The new company, initially operating under the MoonScoop brand for distribution, was officially launched at MIP-TV in March 2004, combining libraries exceeding 1,600 half-hour episodes to strengthen its position in the global animation market.[14][15] Antefilms Production, founded in 1990 by brothers Christophe Di Sabatino and Benoît Di Sabatino in Paris, France, specialized in animation production and quickly built a reputation with innovative youth programming.[13][16] France Animation, established in 1984 as a leading producer and distributor of children's content, had already achieved international success with series distributed in over 35 territories.[13] The merger preserved the editorial independence of both while enabling shared resources for production and global outreach. MoonScoop's initial operations centered on animated television production and distribution, drawing from the rich catalogs of its predecessors, including early works such as Albert the Fifth Musketeer from France Animation in the 1990s and Au Coeur des Toiles from Antefilms in 1991, the latter earning the Grand Prix du scénario de l'Unesco.[13][16] Headquartered at 14 rue Alexandre Parodi in Paris's 10th arrondissement, the company was led by the Di Sabatino brothers as co-executive chairmen, with Benoît overseeing key launches.[16][17] Post-merger, MoonScoop pursued major co-productions with international partners. This foundational phase laid the groundwork for broader market expansion in subsequent years.Expansion and Peak Operations
Following the 2003 merger of Antefilms and France Animation, MoonScoop pursued aggressive expansion by acquiring key assets to bolster its production capabilities. In October 2005, the company took a 51% stake in U.S.-based animation studio Mike Young Productions (MYP) and its distribution arm Taffy Entertainment, renaming the U.S. entity MoonScoop Entertainment in 2009 under the leadership of CEO Mike Young.[18][19] This move established a significant North American foothold, integrating MYP's expertise in 2D animation and international distribution. Additionally, MoonScoop incorporated XANA Post-Production, a subsidiary originally from Antefilms, to handle in-house post-production services, including final editing and supervision for major projects. The expansion phase saw MoonScoop forge strategic partnerships with prominent European broadcasters, enhancing its co-production pipeline. Key collaborations included France 3 and Canal J for youth programming, as well as M6 for animated series targeting international audiences. These alliances facilitated the release of breakthrough titles, such as Code Lyoko (2003–2007), a 97-episode sci-fi adventure co-produced with Antefilms for its first season and fully under MoonScoop thereafter, blending 2D and 3D animation. Another flagship was Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes (2006–2007), a 26-episode Marvel Comics adaptation co-produced with Marvel Studios, M6, and Cartoon Network Europe, which combined dynamic 2D character designs with 3D environments to appeal to global viewers. MoonScoop further diversified into digital media, forming MoonScoop Digital Entertainment to capitalize on emerging platforms. A cornerstone was the 2007 launch of Kabillion, a U.S.-based free video-on-demand (VOD) and broadband network for children, majority-owned through Taffy Entertainment and reaching approximately 13 million homes via major cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner. Kabillion featured MoonScoop's library, including series like Pet Alien and I Got a Rocket!, and supported broadband extensions for interactive content. By around 2010, MoonScoop reached its operational peak, managing numerous active productions and securing distribution deals across Europe, North America, and Asia through partnerships like those with DQ Entertainment for global co-productions valued at over $100 million. This period marked the company's broadest scope, with ongoing series and new media ventures driving international reach and brand management for children's entertainment.Financial Decline and Bankruptcy
MoonScoop's financial difficulties began to surface in late 2012 and early 2013, exacerbated by legal disputes with its U.S. subsidiary and production setbacks on key projects. In November 2013, Mike Young Productions filed a $5 million lawsuit against MoonScoop U.S. Holdings, alleging breach of contract and interference after the French parent company blocked a buyout attempt amid unpaid obligations related to the joint venture.[20] These tensions stemmed from MoonScoop's aggressive expansion into the American market through the 2005 acquisition of a majority stake in Mike Young Productions, which strained resources and led to royalty disputes.[18] Concurrently, production on Code Lyoko: Evolution, a live-action continuation of the popular animated series, faced significant delays due to funding shortfalls, with only the initial 26 episodes completed before broader operational halts.[9] Following a period of peak operations in the early 2010s marked by international co-productions, these issues highlighted vulnerabilities in MoonScoop's overreliance on high-risk ventures. On June 20, 2013, the Tribunal de Commerce de Paris placed MoonScoop SA and its affiliate MoonScoop IP into redressement judiciaire (receivership), initiating a six-month observation period to assess viability amid mounting creditor claims.[21] This procedure suspended ongoing payments and forced the company to halt non-essential activities, resulting in widespread layoffs across its Paris headquarters and international offices, affecting a significant portion of its approximately 27 remaining French staff (with U.S. operations initially unaffected).[22] Projects like additional episodes of Hero: 108 were paused indefinitely as resources were redirected to stabilize core operations.[9] The receivership administrator, appointed to oversee restructuring, identified cash flow crises driven by delayed payments to suppliers and co-producers as primary contributors to the instability.[23] Despite attempts at reorganization, MoonScoop's efforts failed, leading to a conversion to liquidation judiciaire (bankruptcy) on January 24, 2014, by the same Paris court, effectively ending the company's independent operations.[24] Mismanagement played a central role, as co-CEOs Nicolas Atlan and Axel Dauchez oversaw rapid diversification into unprofitable territories and digital media without adequate financial safeguards. Overexpansion, particularly the costly integration of U.S. and Asian subsidiaries, amplified debts from co-production deals and licensing agreements that underperformed amid the 2008-2012 global economic downturn. The bankruptcy proceedings revealed liabilities far exceeding assets, underscoring how unchecked growth from earlier successes eroded fiscal prudence.[8]Organization
Leadership and Notable Figures
MoonScoop was co-founded by brothers Christophe Di Sabatino and Benoît Di Sabatino, who brought complementary expertise to the company. Christophe Di Sabatino focused on creative oversight, drawing from his experience establishing Antefilms Production in 1990, while Benoît Di Sabatino handled business development and distribution strategies. The brothers served as co-executive chairmen from MoonScoop's formation in 2003 through its administration in 2013, guiding the merger of Antefilms and France Animation into a global animation powerhouse.[25][18] Operational leadership was provided by co-CEOs Nicolas Atlan and Axel Dauchez, who joined the executive team in the mid-2000s and played pivotal roles in scaling the company's international presence. Atlan, responsible for production strategy, oversaw key content development initiatives, while Dauchez managed distribution and forged partnerships that expanded MoonScoop's catalog to over 2,400 episodes by 2005. They were instrumental in major acquisitions, such as the 51% stake in Mike Young Productions and Taffy Entertainment, which integrated U.S. operations and boosted projected turnover to €50 million.[18] In the United States, MoonScoop's subsidiary was led by Mike Young as CEO from 2006 to 2013, where he contributed as a producer on series like Dive Olly Dive and facilitated work-for-hire projects. His wife, Liz Young, served as president during the same period, emphasizing licensing and consumer products to strengthen brand monetization in North American markets. This duo collaborated closely with Paris-based executives to align U.S. production with global strategies, including the 2009 rebranding of their entities under the MoonScoop umbrella.[26][19][27] Among creative talents, Jérôme Mouscadet stood out as a key director from Antefilms, recruited in 2002 to helm Code Lyoko, where he shaped its distinctive 2D-3D hybrid style across four seasons. His work exemplified MoonScoop's emphasis on innovative animation techniques. Internationally, the company collaborated with figures from BRB Internacional on co-productions like The Invisible Man, leveraging Spanish expertise for broader European distribution and new media rights.[28][29][30]Subsidiaries and Related Entities
MoonScoop's core French subsidiaries formed the foundation of its operations following the 2003 merger that created the group. Antefilms Production, established in 1990 by brothers Christophe and Benoît Di Sabatino, served as the primary animation studio, specializing in the development and production of animated content.[14] France Animation, integrated through the merger, functioned as the distribution arm, managing a catalog of youth-oriented programming from the 1980s and 1990s.[15] XANA Post-Production, created as a specialized unit post-merger, handled visual effects and final assembly for animation projects.[17] The company's international expansion included several key arms established or acquired in the mid-2000s. MoonScoop Entertainment US, originally stemming from the 2005 acquisition of Mike Young Productions and Taffy Entertainment, operated as the American production and distribution entity, focusing on content creation for the North American market.[31] LuxAnimation, a Luxembourg-based studio acquired in 2006, concentrated on high-end animation services, including feature-length projects.[32] Kabillion, launched in 2007 as a free video-on-demand network for children's programming, was majority-owned by the US subsidiary (84% interest by 2013) and distributed content across major US cable providers.[9] Additional entities supported MoonScoop's broader ecosystem. MoonScoop Digital Entertainment, as the new media division, managed online distribution and digital rights for the group's portfolio.[33] The company also engaged in joint ventures, such as co-production agreements with international partners to expand its global reach. Following MoonScoop's financial troubles in 2013, the US operations underwent a management buyout led by Mike and Liz Young, who reacquired full ownership of MoonScoop LLC and rebranded it as Splash Entertainment in 2014.[12][27] This restructuring allowed the entity to continue independently, retaining assets like Kabillion.[34]Productions
Television Series
MoonScoop's television output focused on animated series aimed at children aged 6–12, employing a blend of traditional 2D and computer-generated 3D animation to create engaging, adventure-driven narratives. The studio emphasized international co-productions, partnering with major broadcasters such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and French networks like France 3 and M6, which facilitated global distribution and cultural adaptation. These collaborations often involved shared financing and creative input, allowing MoonScoop to scale production while inheriting and expanding catalogs from predecessor companies Antefilms and France Animation.[35][36] The studio's portfolio included a diverse array of original and co-produced series, with many running multiple seasons and totaling over 1,000 episodes across more than 20 programs during its operational years. Key examples highlight MoonScoop's range, from sci-fi adventures to comedic family tales. Representative series are detailed below:| Series Title | Years | Episode Count | Primary Broadcasters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titeuf (inherited from France Animation) | 2001–2008 | 182 | France 3, Canal J |
| Code Lyoko | 2003–2007 | 97 | France 3, Canal J |
| Pet Alien | 2005–2006 | 52 | Cartoon Network |
| Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes | 2006–2010 | 26 | M6 |
| I Got a Rocket | 2006–2007 | 52 | Cartoon Network |
| Growing Up Creepie | 2006–2008 | 26 | Various kids' networks |
| Casper's Scare School | 2009–2012 | 52 | Cartoon Network, Nick Jr. |
| Dive Olly Dive | 2009–2012 | 104 | Nick Jr. |
| Chloë's Closet | 2009–2012 | 104 | Sprout, CBeebies |
| Hero: 108 | 2010–2012 | 104 | Cartoon Network |
| My Phone Genie | 2012 | 52 | Various international |
| Wild Grinders | 2012–2015 | 52 | Nicktoons |
| Code Lyoko: Evolution | 2013 | 26 | France 4 |