Calon
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1982
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 2
About Calon
Calon is an animation and television production studio based in Cardiff, Wales. Its work spans children's animated series, feature films, puppet programmes and live-action drama, with capabilities in stop-motion, hand-drawn and digital 2D animation, and 3D CGI. Alongside production, the studio develops original intellectual property, provides scriptwriting and story editing, and structures international television co-productions.
The business traces its origins to Siriol Productions, established in 1982. Its early work included SuperTed, the first original animated series commissioned for the launch of Welsh broadcaster S4C, which subsequently reached audiences through BBC One. Through the following decades, the studio developed a catalogue encompassing preschool entertainment, comedy and children's drama, working with broadcasters in the United Kingdom and overseas.
During the 1990s, Siriol expanded its European co-production activity and co-founded EVA Entertainment. Productions from this period included Billy the Cat, Romuald the Reindeer and Hilltop Hospital. Siriol was acquired by Sleepy Kids PLC in 1998, later becoming part of Entertainment Rights. When production was due to move to London in 2005, a management buyout retained the business in Cardiff and introduced the Calon name, meaning “heart” in Welsh.
Under that name, the studio produced Hana's Helpline for Channel 5's Milkshake!, S4C and ZDF, alongside the prehistoric stop-motion comedy Igam Ogam. Its wider production history includes the fifth series of Fireman Sam, the CBBC puppet series The Zoo Factor, the animated feature Captain Morten and the Spider Queen, and a revived Sali Mali series made during the 2020 lockdown.
Following the liquidation of Calon Limited in 2010, production continued through Mount Stuart Media Limited, which trades as Calon. The studio's subsequent work combines television production with the development of animated features and scripts. Its broadcaster and commissioning relationships encompass Welsh-language programming and international children's entertainment, with partners including S4C, BBC, ITV, Channel 5, ZDF and France Télévisions.
More about Calon
Leadership and founders
- Robin Lyons is identified as Managing Director and continues to direct development work. The original founding team also included Mike Young, Liz Young and Dave Edwards; the report does not establish current executive roles for those other founders.
Production model and collaboration
- The report describes a small core operation that expands production through freelance crews, animators and co-production partner facilities for active commissions.
- For the second series of Igam Ogam in 2013–2014, Calon and Telegael helped establish Beochan, described in the research as Ireland's first dedicated stop-motion facility. Animators and direction were deployed from Cardiff to Galway, illustrating how the studio combines its own creative team with partner infrastructure.
Recognition
- The report identifies SuperTed and Hilltop Hospital as BAFTA-winning series.
- Hana's Helpline received the Broadcast Award for Best UK Children's Television Programme. These are production awards; the report does not provide award years.
Notable credits
14 creditsOffices
Where Calon is based
- 3 Mount Stuart Square, Butetown, Cardiff, CF10 5EE, Wales, United KingdomCardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Calon Studio Headquarters
HeadquartersOverall headquarters and operating production studio in Cardiff Bay.
- 8 Church Place South, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 1BA, Wales, United KingdomPenarth, Wales, United Kingdom
Mount Stuart Media Limited Registered Office
Registered statutory office of Mount Stuart Media Limited; the report does not identify production activity here.
Open roles
Find your next role at Calon