Mobile media company Player X and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group have launched a series of mobile video animations based on 1980’s hit television show Knight Rider. Series one of Knight Rider: Turbo Boost (The animated series) consists of six tongue-in-cheek, three-minute Retrosodes inspired by the classic show. An instant television phenomenon in the United States, Knight Rider became immensely popular worldwide and continues on in many countries. The show has been translated into over 20 languages and reruns of the show still air in almost every corner of the world.

The Retrosodes have been created to appeal to a broad audience of those who remember the original series and enjoy the nostalgia and humor, as well as introduce an entirely new fan base to Knight Rider.

Player X will produce, publish and distribute the Retrosodes through its distribution deals with more than 150 global carriers giving it a potential reach of over 2.6 billion people.

The Retrosodes premiere on Player X’s Zapper TV channel, which recently launched on Verizon Wireless in the US, and on the company’s geekTV channel internationally before rolling out across VOD services in Q4 2007. The Retrosodes will be backed by an ambitious marketing campaign including satirical virals and content seeding.

The news follows significant moves in mobile video for Player X. Earlier this year; US carrier Verizon Wireless launched Zapper TV, Player X’s made-for-mobile family entertainment channel. Zapper TV is the second mobile video channel to be launched by Player X and follows the critical and commercial success of the company’s original made-for-mobile channel, geekTV.

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