The Australian smash hit kids’ series, Bluey is landing on CBeebies next month. The channel will be the first free-to-air platform in the UK to broadcast the series which is backed by BBC Studios.
Under the new deal, series one of the hit animated series will air on the channel every day.
Bluey has won multiple awards since its launch on the international market, including an International Emmy Award in the Preschool category in March last year.
Sarah Muller, head of commissioning and acquisitions for BBC Children’s, said: “Bluey is such a warm show, with a charming and recognisable family at its core, that we know our audience will take to their hearts. Kids love how Bluey is all about play, but it’s also genuinely funny so the whole family can watch it together.
“The animation from Ludo Studio is world-class, so we’re completely delighted to be the UK’s free-to-air home for Bluey.”
Henrietta Hurford-Jones, executive producer for Bluey and director of children’s content partnerships at BBC Studios, added: “Developed with heart, humour, and an honest take on modern family life, it is so wonderful to see Bluey fast becoming a favourite show of children and parents globally.
“I’m delighted that we’re now able to reach a new audience here in the UK by bringing the show to CBeebies.”
BBC Studios exclusively distributes the show worldwide where it is attracting high ratings in several markets and on various platforms. In Australia, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two.
In the US, Bluey hit 16 million total views on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in Q4 2019. In Q1 of last year, the series was a top six Disney Junior series with children and girls aged two to five, and a top five series with boys aged two to five.
Bluey is also available in the UK on the streaming platform Disney+ and its YouTube channel has over 7.5 million hours of watch time and over 232 million views.
A global licensing programme for the series is already in place, with best-in-class partners lined up for the UK market with products set to hit retail in months following the show’s launch on CBeebies.
Global master toy partner Moose Toys and puzzles licensee Ravensburger will debut their respective Bluey lines in Autumn 2021.
Additionally, Blues / Dennicci recently joined the brand’s growing softlines portfolio as daywear partner, alongside Aykroyds, TDP, William Lamb, Dreamtex, and Roy Lowe. Immediate Media has worldwide rights for Bluey magazines, its first UK issue will hit newsstands in summer 2021.
Global master publishing partner (excluding China) Penguin Random House will launch books in the UK later this year.
In its home market Australia, Bluey recently won three gongs at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards, including ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row, Bluey: Big Backyard was the highest selling book of 2020 and Bluey magazine was the number one children’s magazine.
In the US, Bluey is the number one new license in the super plush category and was the number two top new growth property in 202o.
