Reanimated `Family Guy' spurs deals

LOS ANGELES _ Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising on Tuesday announced two major agreements for "Family Guy." Take-Two Interactive Software acquired the rights to video games under its 2K Games label, and Airborne Entertainment secured the mobile entertainment rights.
"Family Guy" returns to the network with original episodes after a three-year absence, a resurrection largely prompted by the property's success in repeat broadcasts on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and on DVD, according to Peter Byrne, executive vice president of Fox Licensing and Merchandising.
He reported that DVD sales surpassed 3 million units to date and demand for licensed merchandise continued to grow.
"`Family Guy' is totally unique in the licensing business having found its sweet spot the second time around," Byrne said. "There's an insatiable demand for merchandise currently, but we are taking a very long-term view of building `Family Guy' into a major franchise for the studio on multiple levels."
Take-Two's 2K Games is developing a third person action/adventure title in which players will take on the role of multiple characters, including the precocious infant Stewie, Brian the dog, and the nominal head of the household, Peter Griffin. Voice talent for the game has not been confirmed.
Airborne Entertainment is developing a full line of wallpapers, wireless games, applications and animated ringers to be available in conjunctions with the show's May 1 relaunch on primetime Fox.
"Family Guy" is a 20th Century Fox Television production, executive produced by its creator, Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane also provides the voices of Peter, Stewie and Brian, with Alex Borstein, Seth Green and Mila Kunis voicing additional members of the Griffin family.