Sarasota exotic animal show picked up nationally

A television show on unusual stories from the animal kingdom, launched by WWSB-TV ABC 7 in Sarasota, has picked up national distribution.

The half-hour weekly show, Animal Outtakes, is geared toward teens, according to the production company that signed it for national syndication, Santa Monica, Calif.-based Telco Productions. The show will be on LAFF TV, a comedy network that made its debut April 15, according to a statement. Animal Outtakes will be on in at least 30 markets, the statement adds.

WWSB created the show, hosted by Sarasota entrepreneur and philanthropist Marsha Panuce, in 2013. Animals featured on the show include elephants, chimpanzees, orangutans and sea turtles.

“Marsha Panuce shares a unique perspective on the animal kingdom that inspires the imagination of animal loving children and adults alike,” says Telco President Alex Paen in the statement.

WWSB's parent firm, Levittown, Pa.-based Calkins Media, expanded Animal Outtakes last year, the second season, to its other networks in Tallahassee and Huntsville, Ala.

“It's a big distinction to have a show that's locally produced to be worthy of national syndication,” says Panuce in the statement. “We are thrilled.”