Category Archives: Entertainment

Genius Brands expands Kartoon Channel! on Roku

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Following the success of the Kartoon Channel! app and content on the Rokuâ platform, Genius Brands International has announced that it will offer a dedicated Kartoon Channel! on The Roku Channel, further expanding the channel’s presence on Roku.

The Roku Channel reached U.S. households with an estimated 80 million people in Q4 2021. Users now have access to Kartoon Channel!’s full content slate of original programming and children’s brands, including Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; the new fast-paced trivia original gameshow series for kids, KC! Pop Quiz, hosted by Nickelodeon star Casey Simpson, and Rainbow Rangers, as well as classics such as Baby Genius, Pac-Man and more.

“As we begin rolling out the new Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, we’re excited to share that in less than two years we are fully distributed in the U.S., reaching millions of viewers across multiple platforms. We are now further enhancing our offering to consumers by bringing The Roku Channel on board as a media partner, significantly expanding our presence in the digital marketplace,” says Genius Brands’ Jon Ollwerther, President, Kartoon Channel!.

 

WildBrain CPLG expands into APAC

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Entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency WildBrain CPLG is continuing to strengthen its global footprint with expansion across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and the launch of new dedicated offices in Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.

Additionally, the licensing team who are part of WildBrain’s existing Shanghai operations will be expanded and renamed WildBrain CPLG China. The new and existing operations will service the entire APAC region across approximately a dozen countries.

Maarten Weck, EVP & Managing Director of WildBrain CPLG, will lead the APAC expansion and be responsible for the management and growth of WildBrain CPLG’s team and business across the region. WildBrain’s  current licensing team in Shanghai, managed by Jianbo Wei, Managing Director for China, will be integrated into WildBrain CPLG and expanded. Wei will also continue to oversee WildBrain’s content business in China.

The agency is now looking to rapidly build its leadership, management and wider marketing and licensing teams to drive the expansion, with new positions open in APAC and London. WildBrain CPLG is part of WildBrain Ltd.

Maarten Weck says: “With the expansion of our business across the greater APAC region, we’ll offer both existing and potential new partners a truly global licensing solution, not only through a broadened footprint in the territory, but also through access to our wider network of global offices and integrated way of working. We’re looking to rapidly grow our team in APAC, with support in London, and we look forward to receiving interest from talented professionals who want to join our world-leading team at this exciting time.”

While offering existing licensors access to new markets, WildBrain CPLG’s expansion into APAC will also aim to build the agency’s portfolio with new representation for local brands and licensors. WildBrain CPLG in APAC currently represents and manages WildBrain-owned brands, such as Strawberry Shortcake, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget and Teletubbies, as well as select existing third-party IP rights across its entertainment and lifestyle portfolios, including SEGA, Sauber Motorsport, Absolut, Malibu, Parental Advisory, The Master Lock Company, Yale University and the University of Southern California, with more to come.

 

 

BBC Studios Kids & Family division opens for business

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BBC Studios has announced today that it has formally moved Children’s In-house Production into BBC Studios Productions to complete its ambitious new division: BBC Studios Kids & Family.

Led by Managing Director Cecilia Persson, BBC Studios Kids & Family will combine the talent and expertise of the BBC Children’s Production team and the content investment, customer and brand experience within BBC Studios into a new and integral part of the BBC Studios content powerhouse. This development is designed to drive an ambitious global strategy to increase the reach of in-house hits, develop new global brands and grow the value provided to younger audiences.

BBC Studios’ Kids & Family portfolio boasts some of the most successful local and global franchises in the world, with BAFTA and International Emmy winning craft and storytelling. Working with a mix of established talent and new and diverse voices including Dame Jaqueline Wilson, Julia Donaldson and Laura Henry-Allain and best in class on-screen talent like Rosamund Pike, Javonne Prince, Tamsin Greig and Eva Mendes, its hugely popular shows include Blue Peter, JoJo & Gran Gran, My Mum Tracy Beaker, Ferne and Rory, Something Special, Bluey, Hey Duggee and Sarah & Duck.

Bringing Children’s production capabilities into BBC Studios for the first time creates an end-to-end business of scale and reputation in the Kids & Family space with the potential to create work for a wide range of customers. Working in partnership from development and production to investment, distribution, BBC Studios Kids and Family will ensure the most creative, efficient and effective approach to bring children’s content to audiences around the world.

Persson, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of Content, Kids & Family, and Helen Bullough, Head of Kids & Family Production, will now be able to collaborate on creating and maximising new opportunities to build on the existing, diverse portfolio of global hits and family favourites. As well as working with established and much-loved talent, they are actively seeking fresh ideas and new and diverse voices with universal appeal to create rich content and build franchises that children will adore in the UK and beyond.

Ralph Lee, CEO BBC Studios Productions, says: “The newly integrated Kids & Family team is made up of incredibly talented individuals who excel at creating shows that are adored by children and their parents. They are true specialists in this key field of content creation and this new division presents an amazing opportunity to build on the fabulous portfolio they collectively already bring to the world.”

“I’m incredibly excited at the ambitious potential for innovation and growth within Kids and Family,” says Cecilia Persson, Managing Director, BBC Studios Kids & Family. “Alongside our core relationship with BBC Content’s unique children’s offer, we’re now open for business and are keen to explore new opportunities. We are passionate about our content because we care deeply about our audience and know that the stories we generate, identify and nurture have the power to make a difference to the lives of kids and their families around the world. That passion, combined with the team’s brilliant talent and expertise, will enable us to develop an unrivalled wealth of new, exciting and beloved content for children and their families across the UK and beyond.”

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children & Education, adds: “BBC Childrens in-house production has for decades been providing the BBC and the whole of the UK with best-in-class content for our audiences, I could not be happier to see this team join BBC Studios to take advantage of their international growth and great production capabilities, bringing them the valuable expertise this team has in creating Childrens content, and taking our Children & Education brands globally.”

Cyber Group Studios inks multiple deals with Gulli

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Cyber Group Studios, a leading producer and distributor of animated series for children and families worldwide, has announced the signature of several series agreements with Gulli (M6 Group), France’s leading children’s channel.

The deal includes the development of two original Cyber Group Studios properties, The McFire Family and George Moby and Co., as well as the pre-acquisition of the recently developed third season of the French hit animated series Taffy. All three shows are slated to begin production this year.

“We are extremely excited about this partnership,” says Pierre Sissmann, Chairman and CEO of Cyber Group Studios and co-creator of the three projects. “We have very much enjoyed working with the Gulli team on these series, which have both French and international appeal and are already generating strong interest worldwide.”

The McFire Family, created by Pierre Sissmann and co-written with Cyber Group Studios Vice President of Development Ira Singerman (Press Start!) and Head Writer Jacqueline Moody (Gigantosaurus), is a 52 x 11’ CG series aimed at kids ages 5-8. The series follows a family of superhero firefighters and rescuers whose powers stem from the inventive lifesaving technology they have developed.

George Moby and Co. is a 78 x 7’ 2D animated comedy series for kids and families. An original concept from Cyber Group Studio’s Ahmed Guerrouache (Director of Taffy), the show follows the adventures of George, a timid vegetarian lion, and Moby, a vociferous and determined little mouse. George is looking to make his mark on society and gives Moby a home inside his mouth, hoping that his new “inner voice” doesn’t do all the talking.

The 2D cartoon comedy series Taffy returns for a third season, centring on the non-stop, slapstick misadventures of a loyal hound dog named Bentley after his billionaire old lady owner, Mrs. Muchmore, takes in a racoon imposter posing as a wide-eyed, fluffy Angora cat. In each episode, Bentley tries to reveal Taffy for the varmint that he is – while super-clever Taffy handily (and comically) turns the tables on the dog.

WarnerMedia to broadcast Brave Bunnies in 20 new territories

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Glowberry, the Ukrainian creator of popular kids’ series Brave Bunnies, has announced a licensing agreement with WarnerMedia to broadcast the series in 20 territories across Southeast Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

The deal was secured for Glowberry by its exclusive content distribution partner, Aardman, who have been leading the charge for Brave Bunnies with tier-one broadcasters around the world.

The series will premiere on the Cartoonito pre-school programming block available daily on Cartoon Network, which launched on March 28 in Southeast Asia, and will debut in Australia and New Zealand in July.

The series will also be available to stream in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong on HBO GO. This latest deal strengthens the relationship with WarnerMedia as Brave Bunnies was also acquired by HBO Max for LATAM. The series will premiere mid-2022.

Olga Cherepanova, author and creative producer of Brave Bunnies, says: “We are delighted that a show we have been working on so passionately has been expanding so fast. I’m happy that alongside WarnerMedia we will reach a new audience in APAC. Our partner Aardman continues to do a great job signing up the best broadcast partners for our bunnies.”

Robin Gladman, Head of Acquisitions at Aardman, comments: “It’s a great pleasure to be working with our friends at Glowberry, to help bring Brave Bunnies to the world. The team from Ukraine are constantly in our thoughts in their current plight. Friendship and diversity sit at the core of this fabulous show, these messages are more important now than ever, and we are thrilled Warner have decided to come on board across so many territories.”

WarnerMedia’s preschool brand Cartoonito makes Asian debut

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Cartoonito, WarnerMedia’s preschool brand, has made its Asian debut. The brand launched as a dedicated morning programming block on Cartoon Network in Japan on March 1 and in Southeast Asia and Korea today (March 28). It offers a modern approach to preschool programming, built to support each child’s unique potential with its educational framework called “Humancentric Learning”.

Tentpole shows in Southeast Asia and Korea include Lucas the Spider, Dino Ranch, Monchhichi and Esme & Roy. These sit alongside a growing slate of new and library series in a line-up that celebrates individuality and originality, while championing creativity, compassion and inclusion. These shows will also sit in a dedicated Cartoonito programming rail on the regional streaming service HBO GO in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. A launch event is scheduled in Singapore in April.

In Japan, the line-up includes Thomas and Friends, Pingu, and Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Celebrity singer Kaela Kimura sings the theme song during the daily block. Cartoonito will launch in Australia and New Zealand in early July, and in South Asia later in the year.

Leslie Lee, Head of Kids for WarnerMedia in Asia Pacific, says: “When we introduced Cartoon Network’s new brand promise ‘Redraw Your World’ earlier this year, the channel shifted to become more inclusive to boys and girls. Now with Cartoonito, our demos are even wider – creating a safe environment for even younger children to enjoy every morning with their parents and caregivers. While the content and on-air packaging are extremely appealing to youngsters, it is how the block is carefully curated and programmed which makes it stand out.”

All Cartoonito shows follow a curriculum designed by early childhood education expert Dr Laura Brown to support the four pillars of Humancentric Learning: Creativity, Caring, Curiosity and Courage. The brand aims to inspire kids to use their imagination, to learn from their mistakes and to treat others with empathy and respect.

For example, in CGI-animated, Lucas the Spider (Fresh TV in association with WexWorks Media with CAKE) curious jumping spider, Lucas, frequently demonstrates characteristics of all four pillars in his many adventures.

This follows the launch of Cartoonito in the US in September 2021 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max, and in EMEA in February 2022.

 

WarnerMedia’s preschool brand Cartoonito makes Asian debut

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Cartoonito, WarnerMedia’s preschool brand, has made its Asian debut. The brand launched as a dedicated morning programming block on Cartoon Network in Japan on March 1 and in Southeast Asia and Korea today (March 28). It offers a modern approach to preschool programming, built to support each child’s unique potential with its educational framework called “Humancentric Learning”.

Tentpole shows in Southeast Asia and Korea include Lucas the Spider, Dino Ranch, Monchhichi and Esme & Roy. These sit alongside a growing slate of new and library series in a line-up that celebrates individuality and originality, while championing creativity, compassion and inclusion. These shows will also sit in a dedicated Cartoonito programming rail on the regional streaming service HBO GO in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. A launch event is scheduled in Singapore in April.

In Japan, the line-up includes Thomas and Friends, Pingu, and Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Celebrity singer Kaela Kimura sings the theme song during the daily block. Cartoonito will launch in Australia and New Zealand in early July, and in South Asia later in the year.

Leslie Lee, Head of Kids for WarnerMedia in Asia Pacific, says: “When we introduced Cartoon Network’s new brand promise ‘Redraw Your World’ earlier this year, the channel shifted to become more inclusive to boys and girls. Now with Cartoonito, our demos are even wider – creating a safe environment for even younger children to enjoy every morning with their parents and caregivers. While the content and on-air packaging are extremely appealing to youngsters, it is how the block is carefully curated and programmed which makes it stand out.”

All Cartoonito shows follow a curriculum designed by early childhood education expert Dr Laura Brown to support the four pillars of Humancentric Learning: Creativity, Caring, Curiosity and Courage. The brand aims to inspire kids to use their imagination, to learn from their mistakes and to treat others with empathy and respect.

For example, in CGI-animated, Lucas the Spider (Fresh TV in association with WexWorks Media with CAKE) curious jumping spider, Lucas, frequently demonstrates characteristics of all four pillars in his many adventures.

This follows the launch of Cartoonito in the US in September 2021 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max, and in EMEA in February 2022.

 

Mondo TV’s smash hit MeteoHeroes heads to North America

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Global family mega-hit maker Kenn Viselman (Teletubbies, Thomas the Tank Engine) has announced a partnership with Mondo TV Studios, part of Mondo TV Group, for an exclusive partnership in the United States and Canada for its award-winning world-wide phenomenon MeteoHeroes, which has already sold into 144 countries and 22 languages.

On April 22, 2022, the MeteoHeroes will make their broadcast debut on PBS with an Earth Day Special. Combined with a companion series, Real Superheroes Don’t Wear Capes, executive-produced by Kenn Viselman, MeteoHeroes is planned to premiere in late summer 2022 on PBS.

Based on a series of books, MeteoHeroes is among the most successful Cartoonito children’s series of all time in Italy, and is popular around the globe. The world premiere of the second season of MeteoHeroes (52 episodes x 13′) will air on Cartoonito in Italy in April 2022.

MeteoHeroes, which recently came in first place at the 30th annual Kids First! Film Festival, is about a group of six pint-sized superheroes, each of whom represents a different continent and a different natural element. Working in tandem to fight climate change disasters, our fearless heroes go to battle to save our planet, using their own unique superhuman abilities that can control weather phenomena.

With humour and respect for its audience, the series sends the important message to children that you don’t need superpowers to save the world. MeteoHeroes is the only children’s series dedicated entirely to climate and environmental issues. Each episode focuses on issues related to ecology and respect for nature.

North American distribution and marketing for both the series and its first collaboration, videogame MeteoHeroes – Saving Planet Earth for Sony PlayStation, will be managed by Kenn Viselman’s itsy bitsy Entertainment Company (TibECo) in partnership with the show’s co-producers Mondo TV S.p.A and leading weather forecasting centre Meteo Operations Italia (MOPI). Viselman will also personally serve as showrunner and executive producer of the Americanised version of the series for a North American audience. This deal was brokered in 2021 by media executive Emilia Nuccio.

Maria Bonaria Fois, CEO of Mondo TV Studios, says: “Kenn Viselman has an unmatched reputation for finding, building and developing hit brands and shows in the North American market. His insights into production, distribution, marketing, and brand development will, we are sure, bring MeteoHeroes success in one of the biggest and most competitive kids’ markets in the world. And, of course, he loves the show! We’re delighted to be working with Kenn.”

“In over three decades of working in the world of children’s and family entertainment I have never seen a reaction to a kids’ series like I have with MeteoHeroes –  and I’ve seen some pretty huge reactions,” says Kenn Viselman. “The success of the series is its ability to help families deal with children’s increasing climate anxiety and give the audience hope while speaking to them in a fun and honest way. There is no issue more urgent or germane to children’s lives than climate change, and the message that a superhero lives in each of us with the capacity to change the world is one I am thrilled and honoured to shout from the rooftops.”

Warner Bros unveils centennial logo in advance of 100th anniversary

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Warner Bros today unveiled its centennial logo to officially begin an extended rollout of activities leading up to and beyond the iconic Studio’s 100th anniversary on April 4, 2023.

Incorporating one of Southern California’s most recognisable landmarks, the WB Water Tower, the logo celebrates Warner Bros’ unmatched legacy of a century of storytelling.

“We’re so excited to kick off the activities around this historic anniversary and share this commemorative logo with our fans and content partners around the centennial celebration of one of the world’s greatest entertainment studios,” says Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group. “Throughout Warner Bros’ history, its films and TV shows have been recognised as the gold standard of storytelling, and it was important to us to highlight the fact that telling stories that move the world is at the heart of everything we do.”

Starting at the end of this year, and throughout 2023, Warner Bros’ centennial celebration will include a fully realised, fan-focused campaign involving every division of the Studio – film, series, consumer products, videogames, themed entertainment, studio tours, live events and more – as well as its Studios and Networks sister companies, including HBO Max, the TNets (TNT, TBS and truTV), WarnerMedia Kids, Young Adults & Classics (including WB Animation, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and TCM) and others. Additional details regarding the centennial activities will be available in the coming months.

Warner Bros, a WarnerMedia company, was founded by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner and incorporated on April 4, 1923. Today, the Studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature film, television and direct-to-consumer production to animation, comic books, videogames, consumer products, themed entertainment, studio tours and brand licensing.

The Studio’s vast library, one of the most prestigious and valuable in the world, consists of more than 145,000 hours of programming, including 12,500 feature films and 2,400 television programs comprised of more than 150,000 individual episodes. Warner Bros is also home to one of the most diverse portfolios of franchises in the world, including Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, DC, Friends, Hanna-Barbera and many more.

 

Silvergate Media announces broadcast launch of The Creature Cases

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Silvergate Media, producer of global hit IP Octonauts, has announced plans for the broadcast launch of its new animated series, The Creature Cases, which follows the adventures of a unique detective duo who specialise in solving animal mysteries. The first season will debut on Netflix’s global streaming platform from 12 April, 2022. 

Aimed at children aged 4-7 years, The Creature Cases is an original series created by head writer/producer Gabe Pulliam, with executive producers Adam Idelson and Kurt Mueller, EVP Creative Content, Silvergate Media. The action/comedy/detective series is animated by TeamTO, the award-winning French studio, which has a strong track record of animating hit children’s shows, including PJ Masks.

Sam Snow and Kit Casey are the lead agents of CLADE: the Covert League of Animal Detective Experts, who solve animal mysteries by exploring the habitats and behaviours of fascinating, sometimes bizarre creatures. Armed with top-secret intel from their miniature contacts, the Mice Squad, these brilliant animal sleuths travel a world populated exclusively by animals, solving mind-boggling animal mysteries that mix real zoological facts with wild detective action.

“The Creature Cases invites young viewers to train a watchful eye on the many mysteries of the natural world,” says Kurt Mueller. “This show is X-Files for preschoolers, but instead of solving paranormal mysteries, Sam and Kit are solving strange but true animal mysteries. Each episode offers a super serving of odd zoological facts, imaginative gadgetry, and, well, the Mice Squad.  We look forward to introducing the show to audiences around the world this spring.”

“For our first collaboration with Silvergate Media, The Creature Cases was a very ambitious project,” adds Guillaume Hellouin, TeamTO President. “We had to push boundaries, once again, far beyond what we have done before. The diversity generated by the concept of discovering a new animal species in its native environment in each of the 40 episodes was a real challenge. But thanks to our fantastic team, combined with Silvergate’s talent, we managed to deliver an amazing show with a very cool design!”

Moose Toys partners with Silvergate Media for new Octonauts toy line