Peppa Pig hogs a new deal in Russia

Peppa Pig's conquest of the world took another step forward as the company behind the British children's cartoon character reached a deal to launch the brand in Russia.

Entertainment One is airing the cartoon on the Russian children's TV channel Karusel, and a range of Peppa toys and magazines will debut later this spring. "We see huge potential in Russia," Darren Throop, the chief executive of EOne, said. The London-listed TV and film distribution and licensing company is also set to launch Peppa merchandise in Italy, Benelux, Canada and the Nordics this year.

Peppa revenues have surged in the US after the show won a prime 6pm timeslot on the Nick Jr channel, and sales of Peppa toys were 25 per cent above forecast at Toys R Us in America last Christmas. Peppa is already the top-selling UK pre-school children's brand.