Rockpool Licensing nets Golden Bear as plush partner for CBeebies’ The Baby Club

Golden Bear has been named the plush partner for the popular CBeebies and iPlayer pre-school series, The Baby Club, presented by Giovanna Fletcher and Nigel Clarke.

In a deal brokered by Rockpool Licensing, Golden Bear will be developing plush based on the growing family of characters featured in the show, beginning with Baby Bear, who appears with Giovanna and Nigel and stars in all activities, play, songs, and stories.

The third season of the hit BBC commission launched last month and is broadcast twice a day on CBeebies. 60 episodes and a library of songs are now available on BBC iPlayer, while The Baby Club has been a major success since its launch in 2019.

Tracy Griffiths, head of brand and licensing at Golden Bear, commented: “We’re delighted to be on board and can’t wait to launch a range of fun, innovative plush which reflect the TV programme’s ethos of baby development, exploration and parental empowerment.

“Golden Bear is looking forward to Baby Bear joining our strong portfolio and encouraging real-world play and interaction, inspired by The Baby Club’s on-screen activities.”

Vickie O’Malley, MD Rockpool Licensing, added: “Fans of The Baby Club have been clamouring for Baby Bear plush since the show launched and it’s a privilege to be working with such an esteemed partner as Golden Bear to make this happen. We’re thrilled to be able to say, “They’re on their way!”

The Baby Club is a ground-breaking TV series made for CBeebies by Three Arrows Media, Tiny House Productions and CMP Productions. Aimed at babies up to 18 months and their grown-ups, it’s the channel’s first overtly dual-facing brand with interactivity at its heart.

Each episode explores ‘What’s in the Bag?’ which can be anything from a household item like a wooden spoon or a pan, to a bath time toy or an item of clothing, all discovered together through play, story and song.

The Baby Club is firmly rooted in the latest research with input from leading experts and has been designed to help baby development, empower parents, aid bonding and attachment.

Children’s series Monty & Co. ‘hits the ground running’ with trio of UK licensing deals

The popular CBeebies and iPlayer children’s series, Monty & Co has hit the ground running with three major licensing partnerships spanning kids’ magazines, online retail, and audio stories with Tonies.

Immediate Media has added the pre-school IP to its successful CBeebies magazine, while Event Merchandising is in the midst of creating and managing an online store with the aim to be fully functional, with a range of merchandise, for this summer.

Finally, Tonies will be adding a Monty Tonie figure to its line-up of pre-school audio characters with a launch planned for summer 2022. The licensing deals arrive following the successful debut of the Monty & Co. series late last year. Since then, it has been hitting consistent audience numbers both in the linear space and on iPlayer, where it has hit one million plays already.

New episodes are now planned for production towards the end of 2021.

“Everyone involved is incredibly positive with the performance of the show to date. The characters are easy to engage with, the scripts for each episode are well written and play like mini dramas. Parents and children are loving the live action, the humour, the songs and the silliness included in each episode,” said Ian Wickham, director at Licensing Link Europe which is handling the global licensing programme for Monty & Co.

“Monty & Co is a refreshing change to the plethora of animated content pitched at the preschooler. Warm, traditional and endearing are definitely aspects of Monty’s success and I’m sure one of the reasons why parents are talking about the show in the playground – which is a very good thing.”

Liz Peters, portfolio manager at Tonies, added: “We are very excited to add Monty Tonie to our portfolio for 2022. He’s going to make a very popular figurine that little ones will love to pop on their Toniebox. We are looking forward to working closely with the show’s producers to create bespoke audio content for the Tonie, incorporating all that humour, fun and silliness, as well the action and songs that fans enjoy and expect from Monty & Co.”

With the new online store due to be up and running by the summer, Jeremy Goldsmith of Event Merchandise explained why the company was keen to be involved.

“The producers have created a wonderful show, and we are delighted to be designing and operating the online store for Monty & Co, along with a fun selection of products,” he commented. “The characters of this hit series join our selected line-up of licensed properties.”

Hollie Fisher, editor, CBeebies, concluded: “It’s a funny, loveable mini comedy drama which we think will resonate well with both our grown-up and younger, preschool audiences.”

Popular pre-school series Bluey to land on CBeebies next month with UK toy ranges to follow

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.

Kids’ audio platform Tonies bolsters pre-school portfolio with Bing and In the Night Garden

The children’s audio story-telling platform, Tonies, has detailed the addition of two high-calibre pre-school IPs to its expanding library of licensed figurines, welcoming Bing and In the Night Garden to its portfolio.

In a new partnership with Acamar Films, Tonies will be bringing the studio’s flagship pre-school property, Bing, to the platform in 2022. Meanwhile, an In the Night Garden Iggle Piggle figurine will join a trio of new launches this month, developed to help children sleep better ahead of World Sleep Day on March 19th.

Designed for children aged three and upwards, the In the Night Garden: A Musical Journey Tonie has a running time of 47 minutes and will follow the CBeebies favourites, Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy, and friends on their adventures through the Night Garden. Its charming and gentle songs and stories will help promote sleep and comfort to little ones.

The Bing Tonie will launch to retailers next year and promises to deliver new audio entertainment to children.

Liz Peters, portfolio manager, Tonies UK, said: “We are so excited to partner with Acamar Films and we love that Bing finds the big stories in the little moments, helping pre-schoolers navigate the everyday challenges they experience.

“Bing is a firm favourite for little ones across the UK and we are sure that Bingsters and Tonie-fans alike are going to love this addition to our stellar roster.”

Natalie Harvey, executive director of sales, Acamar Films, added: “Collaborating with Tonies is a fantastic opportunity for more pre-schoolers to engage with Bing stories in an innovative way.

“The importance the Toniebox places on storytelling, language development and imaginative play is in perfect alignment with Bing and we are delighted to be a part of their ongoing success story, delivering audio experiences children will love.”

Plug-in Media and Fryday Brands eye toy partners as pre-school hit Tee and Mo returns to CBeebies

Plug-in Media is eyeing potential toy partners for its popular pre-school property, Tee and Mo, an animated monkey duo that made its return to CBeebies last month with the premiere of Big Boots Birthday: A Tee and Mo Mini Musical.

The animated property’s tenth musical special to launch on the channel, Big Boots Birthday: A Tee and Mo Mini Musical featured three new songs and once again starred the voice talent of BBC Radio 6’s Lauren Laverne.

The Tee and Mo Mini Musical launched with the aim of re-imagining the musical genre for pre-schoolers, aged two to five. The 11-minute episode is designed to help young children feel understood, and focuses on the theme of what it feels like to grow up.

Released on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, November 21st this year, alongside an EP of the songs it featured on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon Music, Big Boots Birthday: A Tee and Mo Mini Musical has already been watched 160,000 times on BBC iPlayer, all within the first seven days of its launch.

The popularity of the special episode, along with previous episodes and series of Tee and Mo, has given encouragement to producers Plug-in Media, who is working with licensing stalwart Valerie Fry to build out a consumer products programme for the IP. The plans kick off with a current focus on appointing a toy partner for the brand.

Fry said: “Fryday Brands is proud to work with the fantastic and creative team at Plug-in Media to develop Tee and Mo products for its huge fan base. With over 185 million YouTube views and a 50 per cent increase in iPlayer views to over 15 million in 2020, we know from our social media engagement that fans are clamouring for products.”

Written and Directed by Plug-in Media’s creative director, Dominic Minns, Big Boots Birthday sees yet another successful collaboration with BAFTA-winning composers Ellie Wyatt and Joss Peach.

The Tee and Mo Mini Musical was produced entirely through remote-working, due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Plug-in’s team of exceptionally talented production staff and animators rose to the challenge of developing new workflows for efficient collaboration under unique circumstances.

Big Boots Birthday takes place on the morning of Tee’s birthday, who wakes up a whole year older and a whole inch taller. To mark the occasion, Mo has given him a brand new pair of Big Boy Boots to wear. However, a chance encounter with his old favourite Froggie Wellies gives him pause for thought. Does being big mean that he can’t be little anymore?

As ever, Mo is on hand to listen to his worry and reassure him that no matter how big he gets, she’ll always be his Mum. Cue the best birthday party ever.

Chuggington: Tales from the Rails lines up European broadcast partners including UK’s CBeebies

Herschend Entertainment Studios’ new pre-school series Chuggington: Tales from the Rails, will make its debut across the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Poland via a raft of new broadcasting partners from early 2021.

The series has been picked up by CBeebies, RTE, TF1, Super RTL, and TVP ABC. The European broadcasters will begin airing the series from early next year, following the US launch on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in June.

“Disney Junior US, CBeebies, RTÉ, TF1, SUPER RTL, and TVP ABC have each entertained children with the fun adventures of Chuggington from the very beginning,” said Natalie Setton, HES’ vice president commercial, content distribution, and licensing.

“The new episodes of Chuggington are as relevant to today’s preschoolers as ever before and we are thrilled to have our long-running broadcasters give the “gold-seal” of approval on our fresh content packed with new themes, humor, and stories, created for an all new audience.”

Chuggington: Tales from the Rails introduces an all-new audience to the three young trainee trains, Wilson, Koko, and Brewster as they ride the rails on new adventures of teamwork, friendship, and fun. The new series digs deep into unique locations and character personalities to explore the dynamic world of Chuggington that’s home to a diverse and playful community of trains known as Chuggers.

European broadcasters will also be supporting the countrywide premieres of Chuggington: Tales from the Rails with the launch of a series of animated/live-action hybrid shorts,Discover Chuggington: All Aboard, featuring real kids who are transported into the fictional 3D world and interact with the characters through activities, adventure, and music.

Licensing agents across the regions will be announced shortly, covering key category offerings and product mix, including publishing, secondary toys, puzzles and games, food and drink, sleepwear and apparel, and bedding.

The new toy line from Alpha Group, the franchise’s global master toy partner, is set to debut at retail in Autumn 2021.

Aardman teams with Yeo Valley Organic to bring Timmy Time to the Little Yeos kids’ range

The multi award-winning independent animation studio, Aardman, has teamed up with the British organic brand, Yeo Valley Organic to bring its recently re-launched pre-school favourite, Timmy Time to the company’s kids’ range Little Yeos.

The partnership marks the fourth time that Aardman has teamed with the Little Yeos brand. The new promotion will feature Timmy – the smallest lamb in the Shaun the Sheep flock and the star of his own spin off series, Timmy Time, which returned to CBeebies in the UK last year.

The partnership on Little Yeos Fruity Favourites four-pack will support children’s education in learning more about the environment, healthy lifestyle and taking care of the planet supporting Yeo Valley Organic’s latest campaign to encourage its consumers to Put Nature First.

The campaign, which is set to run for two-years, will allow Yeo Valley to feature Timmy Time on its channels sharing content about the environment and healthy lifestyles.

Tor Crockatt, Little Yeos brand manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Aardman again and continuing our partnership on the Little Yeos range. Little Yeos is perfect for pre-school children and just like Timmy, our core consumers are also heading off to nursery school.

“Timmy’s cozy little Nursery in an old farm building nestled in the rolling hills, is like the real Yeo Valley family dairy farm in Somerset. As organic dairy farmers we’re keen to help show children the importance of the environment and ways they can help to Put Nature First.

“Just as Timmy and his animal friends learn together, we’ll be bringing a little bit of that to our Little Yeos consumers too.”

Laura Burr, senior brand manager from Aardman, added: “We are so pleased to be partnering with Yeo Valley Organic again. Timmy loves learning about the world and we are delighted that this collaboration goes beyond a straightforward on-pack promotion, providing Timmy and his friends with a platform to help Yeo Valley Organic inspire young children to Put Nature First.”

Little Yeos Fruity Favourites are billed as 100 per cent organic, made with real fruit purees and no artificial flavours and available in most supermarkets. The Timmy Time partnership is now appearing on packs in store.

Coolabi’s Clangers eyes new global ventures with Jetpack Distribution worldwide deal

The independent kids and family content distributor, Jetpack Distribution, has acquired the worldwide rights to Coolabi Group’s popular pre-school stop motion animated show, Clangers in a deal that includes three seasons of the BAFTA-winning show that currently airs on CBeebies in the UK.

The new partnership covers all audio-visual rights for territories worldwide, excluding the UK, Australia and China and arrives as part of Coolabi’s ongoing mission to extend the pre-school brand across the international scene.

The Clangers are a family of lovable, pink, mouse-like creatures who live out in space on their Little Blue Planet. The planet’s surface is peppered with holes topped with metal dustbin lids, which flip open with a ‘Clang!’ to reveal steps down to their home beneath the surface of the planet which contains a series of interconnecting tunnels and caves.

Co-produced by CBeebies, Coolabi Group and Smallfilms, the all new episodes have been animated by Factory (Scream Street, Newzoids)  in the UK.

Jetpack CEO, Dominic Gardiner, said: “Clangers has a timeless magic. It’s truly delightful for young children and their parents. As well as being highly entertaining and making them laugh, it’s helping children appreciate important developmental aspects such as team work.

“Quality content for children is imperative right now. As parents and professionals, we hugely value shows made with heart and soul which nourish young viewers.”

Allison Watkins, director of licensing and TV distribution at Coolabi, commented: “Dominic and his amazing team at Jetpack are recognised as being one of the best children’s content distributors in the world and we are delighted to have the Clangers join their family.”

Ragdoll Productions taps Brands with Influence to manage licensing roll out for B.O.T. and the Beasties

The award winning production company, Ragdoll Productions, has tapped Brands with Influence to manage the licensing and merchandising rights for its new animated children’s TV series, B.O.T. and the Beasties, a new series scheduled to land on CBeebies in early 2021.

Developed by Anne Wood and the team at Ragdoll Productions’ studios in Stratford upon Avon, B.O.T. and the Beasties draws upon the team’s unrivaled experience in the pre-school market to deliver a series that follows that trials and tribulations of the lovable robot B.O.T. (Beastie Observation Transmitter) as he discovers new worlds and the Beasties that inhabit them.

The BBC has acquired 50 episodes of the new series and B.O.T. Crucial to the development of the series and its appeal has been Ragdoll’s research and development process. All the characters have been tested with the target market for appeal and comedic value for a show that attracts the pre-school audience and keeps them engaged through visual comedy and imaginative play.

Martin Lowde of Brands with Influence, said: “We have been working with Ragdoll for the last 18 months through the development phase of this exciting new series and it’s fabulous that we are now able to share this great show with the licensing industry.

“With a strong commitment from CBeebies across their platforms and a great production team at Ragdoll the series has all the ingredients needed in a new show.”

Brands with Influence is now organising a series of live online screenings and presentations.

Chris Wood of Ragdoll Productions, added: “We are delighted to be working with the team at BWI. Our new pre-school B.O.T. and the Beasties series is full of fun through silliness, play and imagination and has masses of potential for licensing as we have seen first-hand how children love to interact with the stories and characters.”

Ragdoll Productions taps Brands with Influence to manage licensing roll out for B.O.T. and the Beasties

The award winning production company, Ragdoll Productions, has tapped Brands with Influence to manage the licensing and merchandising rights for its new animated children’s TV series, B.O.T. and the Beasties, a new series scheduled to land on CBeebies in early 2021.

Developed by Anne Wood and the team at Ragdoll Productions’ studios in Stratford upon Avon, B.O.T. and the Beasties draws upon the team’s unrivaled experience in the pre-school market to deliver a series that follows that trials and tribulations of the lovable robot B.O.T. (Beastie Observation Transmitter) as he discovers new worlds and the Beasties that inhabit them.

The BBC has acquired 50 episodes of the new series and B.O.T. Crucial to the development of the series and its appeal has been Ragdoll’s research and development process. All the characters have been tested with the target market for appeal and comedic value for a show that attracts the pre-school audience and keeps them engaged through visual comedy and imaginative play.

Martin Lowde of Brands with Influence, said: “We have been working with Ragdoll for the last 18 months through the development phase of this exciting new series and it’s fabulous that we are now able to share this great show with the licensing industry.

“With a strong commitment from CBeebies across their platforms and a great production team at Ragdoll the series has all the ingredients needed in a new show.”

Brands with Influence is now organising a series of live online screenings and presentations.

Chris Wood of Ragdoll Productions, added: “We are delighted to be working with the team at BWI. Our new pre-school B.O.T. and the Beasties series is full of fun through silliness, play and imagination and has masses of potential for licensing as we have seen first-hand how children love to interact with the stories and characters.”