BBC Studios has appointed France TV Distribution as its French licensing agent for the multi-award winning children’s series, Bluey across the region. It arrives as France Televisions also secured the title for France 5.
Bluey is the latest to join the family of must-have properties within the France TV Distribution line-up that already includes the BBC Studios hit He, Oua-Oua (Hey Duggee).
From Saturday April 10th, Bluey will be broadcast on France 5 on weekends at 8:45am and from Monday to Friday at 8:20am, the episodes will also be available on catch up on France Televisions’ kids platform OKOO. Previously Bluey has been available to French children’s audiences via Disney Junior since December 2019, where in February 21, it was the number one program for four to ten year olds on the channel.
Bluey is a multi-award-winning Australian children’s series that follows Bluey, a six year old Australian blue heeler Dog with an endless imagination. Her favorite hobby is to transform everyday moments into extraordinary adventures. She often involves Bingo, her four year old sister in her games, but also her friends, her parents and even the neighbours who appreciate her « joie de vivre ».
BBC Studios’ partnership with global master toy provider Moose Toys for Bluey includes France and preparations to launch in the territory in 2022 are underway. Moose Toys already markets a wide range of toys in Australia and the United States, as well as the UK from this Autumn.
In the U.S, Bluey is the number one new license in the super plush category and was the number two top new growth property in 2020 for the total toy industry. In Australia, Bluey recently won ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.
Global master publishing partner Penguin Random House will launch books in France next year following the successful launches in both US and Australia and UK this Autumn.
For other product categories, France TV Distribution is in the process of setting up an ambitious licensing program with the upcoming recruitment of partners for textiles and accessories, bedding, outdoor games, party and home.
Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager, BBC Studios, said: “Building on the success of Bluey in Australia, New Zealand, the US and of course the widely anticipated launch in the UK, I am delighted that we have expanded our pre-school portfolio with France TV Distribution, as our licensing agent for Bluey alongside Hey Duggee and in turn strengthening our partnership with them.”
Aude de la Villarmois, Director of the Licensing Department of France TV Distribution, said: “We are very happy to become the agent of the Bluey brand and thus strengthen our collaboration with the BBC (after the recent acquisition of Hé Oua-Oua).
“France TV Distribution demonstrates once again its ambition to accompany the most powerful preschool brands. Bluey joins the large family of Okoo’s must-have brands and France tv distribution’s license line-up (Peppa Pig, Pyjamasques, Masha and Michka and T’Choupi). Our strong expertise in the preschool field makes France TV Distribution a solid partner.”
Vincent Brun, commercial and marketing director, Moose France, said: “Moose Toys looks forward to working with France TV distribution to build on the outstanding break-out success of Bluey in both the US and Australia and to roll out Bluey toys across France in 2022.”
