What exactly is this series?

I read these books when I was a kid, but I'm not familiar with the TV shows. Both this and the proper Wikipedia article are about as clear as mud to me. So it's a "remake" that's identical to an earlier show? Are you sure it's not an adaptation with footage (sourced from the British-French cartoon) dubbed by a new cast and spliced in with newly shot live-action skits? Think Power Rangers and Godzilla.