Balmur is home to 'Hippo'

CBC to air the series

By BRENDAN KELLY

MONTREAL -- Balmur Entertainment, the music and television company owned by Canuck singer Anne Murray, is set to produce its first major kids animation series, "The Hippo Tub Co.," based on a 20-year-old Murray hit.

The series is inspired by the song "Hey Daddy, (There's a Hippo in My Tub)," the title track from a 1978 kids album by Murray that has sold more than 1 million copies.

Canadian pubcaster CBC has inked a deal with Balmur to air the series, beginning in the fall of 2000, and Balmur has signed an exclusive agreement with 3DD Entertainment to have the British company distribute the series in the U.K.

Balmur will handle worldwide sales on the animated series.