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Random House Children's Books has won its biggest family television license to date with the tie-in rights to the new BBC family drama, "Merlin", which starts next week.
The fantasy drama will follow "Strictly Come Dancing" on Saturday evenings in the slot previously occupied by "Dr Who", which attracted 6.5m viewers.
Random's multi-format publishing programme will launch in time for the second series in autumn 2009, including fiction, non-fiction, audio and annuals.
The drama will star Colin Morgan as the young wizard Merlin with Michelle Ryan as sorceress Nimueh, Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot and John Hurt providing the voice for the Great Dragon.
Random House has previously published tie-ins for the children's programmes "Balamory", "Pokyo" and "Hannah's Helpline" and has just launched its glossy coffee-table book for "Ugly Betty". The Merlin deal was agreed with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME).