MUMBAI: The Disney Channel has acquired the television rights for Connie the Cow from TV-Loonland.

The pay TV network has been broadcasting the series since September 2004 on its Premiere platform - a first in the history of German television.

"With Connie the Cow we have a preschool series in our lineup that's already been sold to many stations in Europe and elsewhere including ABC in Australia and one that consistently gets outstanding ratings," said TV-Loonland president and CEO Peter Völkle. The sale of the German television rights to the Disney Channel was a continuation of the successful marketing behind the popular series, Völkle added.

Disney Channel manager acquisitions Nicky Kerth said, "We are very pleased to have such a high-quality and lovingly created animated series for preschool children in our program with Connie the Cow."

Connie the Cow, produced by Neptuno Films, Spain, is one of the most educational and enchanting animated series for children aged four and above.

Due to the show's excellent ratings - including a 72 per cent market share among preschoolers (up to four years) on ABC in Australia and almost 25 per cent on ITV in the UK - Connie has now been sold to nearly every European network.

In 2003 the cartoon series was crowned the best animated children's series at the international festival Cartoons on the Bay.