Coolabi Group plans to “spook kids silly” this Halloween with comedy brand Scream Street

International rights owner Coolabi Group and its “spooktacular” stop-motion animation Scream Street are celebrating the launch of Series 2 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, with a hybrid campaign of fun brand activations, promotional partnerships and brand extensions for the popular comedy this autumn.

Following a preview of the first five episodes in Halloween 2020, all 26 x 11’ episodes of Scream Street Series 2 will launch on BBC iPlayer from 23 October, with 10 brand-new episodes playing out across Halloween week on CBBC from 25 October, bringing the total number of episodes created to 78.

After successfully launching ‘Escape Scream Street’ on Roblox last year, a new Roblox experience called ‘Scream Street Playground’ will launch on the platform on 22 October. The game will allow players to visit various locations in the town with friends starting with Resus Negative’s house. At launch players can play two different themed games – ‘Candy Smash’ and ‘Masks’ – with more mini games added over time as the town is expanded.

A promotional partnership with family restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has also been announced. The initiative, which launched earlier this month, will see Scream Street activity sheets distributed to families in all their restaurants in the UK. It features a competition prize for a free family theme-park visit, with prizes of Scream Street books for runners-up. The partnership will also form part of Frankie & Benny’s Halloween meal with Deliveroo, a Scream Street-themed food offering for the Halloween school holidays that will run until 16 November.

Coolabi Group, Comedy Club 4 Kids and MEGA Magazine have also co-produced a video series about stand-up comedy for kids on MEGA’s official YouTube channel. The four part series, called ‘Screaming with Laughter’, launched this week and features a crash course on how kids can kick-start their comedy careers.

Coolabi and Comedy Club 4 Kids will bring their partnership to life with an in-person family series launch and kids stand-up comedy event that will take place at Everyman Kings Cross on Saturday 23 October for media, influencers and families. The event also marks the release of the Scream Street’s brand new Spooktacular Joke Book, from Walker Books, which came out earlier this month.

Continuing a successful partnership with Girl Talk, established in 2020, Coolabi Group has teamed up with the media title once again to co-produce content for the magazine’s YouTube channel, Girl Talk World. This Halloween, talented 13-year-old chef Sienna Cecco, a specialist in Italian cuisine, will create a Scream Street themed cook-a-long dish.

“We are completely delighted to be launching the much-anticipated new series of Scream Street on CBBC and iPlayer this Halloween,” says Michael Dee, Director of Content for Coolabi Group. “It’s a fun and engaging brand, which is evidenced in the range of partnerships and promotions we have delivered to amplify the launch and bring Halloween fun to families across the UK.”

In addition, the Scream Street costume characters will be appearing at Alton Towers from now until 12 November for daily in-park meet and greets and an interactive dance challenge experience, where visitors can learn the moves to the Scream Street theme tune.

The celebrations continue with the return of the free downloadable ‘Scream Street Halloween at Home’ party pack, which launched last year. The newly updated pack will be available to download on the Scream Street and CBBC website and is filled with activities to get the party started, from Scream Street character masks and puzzles, to cupcake toppers, decorative tent cards and monster making crafts.

Scream Street returns to CBBC on 25 October with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 23 October. 

Pokémon is heading to the BBC for the first time as iPlayer catches series and movies

Pokémon is heading to the BBC for the first time.

The British broadcaster has acquired two complete story arcs from the Pokémon the Series collection to be housed on the BBC iPlayer, along with the story arcs’ accompanying feature-length Pokémon the Movie for both linear broadcast and the iPlayer.

This will mark the first time that Pokémon has been broadcast on the BBC platform. From this August, BBC iPlayer viewers will be able to watch the adventures of Ash and Pikachu, with all 189 episodes of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, and all 142 episodes of Pokémon the Series: Black & White.

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl will be exclusively available to UK audiences on BBC iPlayer from August 2, while Pokémon the Series: Black & White will follow this autumn on a non-exclusive basis. The deal lands in time to help fans continue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon brand this year, marking a quarter of a century since it was first launched in Japan in 1996 with two Game Boy titles.

Pokémon is one of the world’s most popular and successful entertainment properties. Its anime began in 1997 and now spans 24 series, with over 1000 episodes, and accompanying movies, which have aired in 176 different countries and regions in over 30 languages.

Emily Arons, SVP of licensing at The Pokémon Company International, said: “We are delighted to team up with such a world-renowned broadcaster as the BBC to bring the exciting adventures of Ash, Pikachu, and their friends to their huge UK audience.

“In our 25th anniversary year, it gives Pokémon fans old and new even more to celebrate with this wonderful opportunity to revisit or discover the wonderful world of Pokémon in these thrilling animated series. In addition, the Diamond and Pearl episodes will provide a great introduction to the fascinating Sinnoh region.”