Tag Archives: preschool

Entertainment One grows Peppa Pig and PJ Masks profiles in Japan with TV Tokyo partnership

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The popular preschool properties, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are picking up the pace across Japan, having landed a new broadcast partnership with TV Tokyo. The deal marks the latest international development for Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, Entertainment One.

Under the deal, TV Tokyo will broadcast 26 episodes of season one of PJ Masks, making this the first time that the property has been picked up by a Japanese terrestrial broadcaster.

Meanwhile, having first launched a short version of Peppa Pig on the Kinder TV timeslot back in October 2017, TV Tokyo is looking to build on the growing fanbase for the series by expanding the offering of the full version to its preschool audiences on a new weekend timeslot.

The broadcast line up has been further bolstered by additional platforms including Disney Japan and Netflix which have the rights to the series and have expanded the show’s availability throughout the market.

The Peppa Pig consumer products program first debuted in March 2018 via an exclusive pop-up shop in the Takashimaya department store in Tokyo, which was attended by the British Ambassador. In 2018, Peppa Pig played an exciting role in the launch of Japan’s first Hamley’s toy store.

Now, the Peppa Pig licensing program boasts 33 licensing partners as the brand’s popularity grows in the market, with more retail partnerships planned in 2021.

Entertainment One is looking to accelerate both brands’ licensing drive by collaborating with Dentsu as the master CP agent.

“We’re thrilled to reach new audiences in Japan with our beloved children’s animated series,” said Olivier Dumont, president of family brands at eOne. “TV Tokyo offers best-in-class children’s entertainment and we’re proud to add them to the global Peppa Pig and PJ Masks families.”

“Peppa Pig is already a global phenomenon and we are glad to have the show on our channel. We’re also very happy and excited to be able to bring PJ Masks for the first time to our Free TV audiences in Japan,” said Sayako Muramatsu and Ryota Kawamura of TV Tokyo.

“Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are two of the most iconic preschool brands in the world and we are so thrilled to be able to have this opportunity to collaborate with eOne and TV Tokyo on bringing these characters to life to a new generation of preschoolers in Japan,” said project leads Kiyofumi Kajiwara and Ayane Kawasaki at Dentsu.

Milo celebrates ratings success on Milkshake! as preschool series goes from ‘strength to strengthg

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Milo, the new preschool series from Fourth Wall and Planeta Junior, is celebrating high ratings across Channel 5’s Milkshake, the channel’s preschool segment upon which it made its UK debut in mid-May this year.

Within one month of launching on May 10th in its prime time 8am weekday slot, the series has, according to the firm, ‘achieved great ratings on Milkshake!’ with expectations abound that the series will ‘continue to go from strength to strength.

The series is also available for viewers on the broadcaster’s on-demand platform, My5.

Milo follows the adventures of its titular hero, a five year old cat who, together with his friends Lofty and Lark, uses role-play to explore the world of vocations, be that a doctor or mechanic, a hairdresser or chef, or a postal worker. The aim of the series is to introduce preschoolers to a variety of professions in a positive and entertaining way.

Milo is already a successful children’s book character with over 30 titles published and sold in more than 20 territories worldwide.

The production of the preschool series has been supported by the UK Government’s Young Audiences Content Fund. Managed by the BFI, the fund supports the creation of distinctive, quality content for young audiences. The fund is intended for providing content that informs our understanding of the world, stimulates knowledge and learning, as well as representing diversity and alternative viewpoints.

Planeta Junior holds and manages the series’ worldwide consumer products rights and is working with Lisle Licensing in the UK to build a strong brand presence and licensing programme.

Entertainment One’s PJ Masks to make season six return with global launch on Disney Junior

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Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, Entertainment One will see its popular preschool series, PJ Masks return for a sixth season as it launches globally on Disney Junior in 2023.

Season six will see the superhero trio Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko make their return for ‘their greatest adventures yet,’ as they encounter all new villains in the city, a new planet in outer space, and the discovery of a new frozen wilderness.

“Our audiences can’t get enough of Catboy, Owlette and Gekko, and we’re excited to introduce them to even more friends in season six,” said Olivier Dumont, president of family brands at eOne. “Disney Junior has long been a key global partner and supporter of the series and we’re so happy to continue our relationship with them and take the brand to new heights.”

 PJ Masks has become a global phenomenon since its launch on Disney Junior in 2015 as a leading storyteller for preschoolers across the globe, broadcast in over 180 territories worldwide across several FTA and VOD platforms. The heroes have a digital footprint including 17 billion lifetime views globally on YouTube and 216 million global music streams as well as 138 million lifetime app downloads.

The brand is also maximized through a multitude of consumer products programmes from apparel and role play, to publishing and location-based entertainment, firmly established in 85 markets worldwide – with the sixth season being brought to life at retail with a new full line of toys from Hasbro from 2023.

PJ MASKS Season Six will launch with 52 x 11-minute episodes, including three super feature-length 44-minute episodes and six half-hour specials that tap into the exciting new themes that preschoolers will love.

Mattel partners with Munchy Play to bring Thomas & Friends to the dining table

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Mattel has landed a new partnership with Munchy Play – the founders of the first children’s plate and track – to launch a new tableware collection based on the iconic Thomas & Friends franchise. The range will launch across the UK and Ireland.

Featuring a built-in track, the plates aim to bring fun to dining and children to the table. Available in three playful themes, the range features a blue Thomas plate, red James plate, and green Percy plate, each bearing illustrations of the engines and taking kids on a journey from Knapford Station, passing tunnels, trees, and traffic lights along the way.

Designed for preschoolers, there are high-sides and a non-slip base to support self-feeding. Plus, the track can accommodate children’s favourite TrackMaster and MINIS engines.

The Thomas and Friends Train Track Plate collection is now available from £15.99, at Munchyplay.com and Amazon.com, as well as Drayton Manor Park, home of Thomas Land.

Helen Genia, head of licensing for Mattel UK, said: “We are delighted to partner with Munchy Play to bring the magic of Thomas & Friends to mealtimes. Creative storytelling is a great way to keep teatimes on track in a way that families will appreciate, and little ones will love.

“Children take great comfort in their favourite train characters, and this brings it together in the most clever and irresistible way.”

Launched last year, Munchy Play manufacturers its products in the UK, and has been named one of the ‘most promising’ start-ups of 2021. 

Sophia Procter, founder and CEO of Munchy Play, said: “Four years’ ago, inspired by my son’s love of Thomas, I came up with the idea for a kids’ plate with a track around the outside. Successfully bringing my fussy eater toddler to the table, I saw its potential to help other families and set out to create a tableware range that would excite children about dining. It’s a dream come true to introduce our new Thomas & Friends collection for families to enjoy.”

Moonbug makes play for organic baby food in the US and lands BBC iPlayer UK deal

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Moonbug Entertainment is strengthening its licensing and broadcast portfolio on both sides of the Atlantic this week, having entered the organic baby and toddler foods market in the US, while strengthening the reach of its preschool portfolio through a new partnership with BBC here in the UK.

The content studio has struck up a new partnership with Neptune Wellness Solutions, a health and wellness company focused on plant-based and sustainable lifestyle brands, and its Sprouts Foods organic baby and toddler foods range for a new, officially licensed CoComelon range of products.

Brokered by Moonbug’s North American licensing agency, UTA, the product is expected to land at retailers across the US this summer. Sprout is currently the fifth largest name in the organic baby food category in the US, and number three organic baby food brand on Amazon.

“I am thrilled to announce this arrangement with CoComelon, the number one children’s show in North America,” said Michael Cammarata, chief executive officer and president of Neptune. “Since acquiring Sprout in February, we have already increased sales through expanding our distribution across Target stores in the United States, and we expect to add more national retailers.

“This agreement with CoComelon, through its unparalleled reach, should fuel additional dynamic growth for this leading organic baby food brand.”

With more than 110 million subscribers worldwide, CoComelon is the number one children’s entertainment and educational show in the world claiming a number one ranking on Youtube with its top three episodes generating nearly 9bn views around the world. Additionally, the show was number one on Netflix and maintains a Top 10 ranking across all genres with the recent launch of Season three.

Simon Philips, senior in-house advisor at Moonbug, said: “Healthy living is a core part of what makes CoComelon a global family favorite, so are thrilled to be launching a partnership with Sprout, a leading North American organic baby food and toddler snack brand.”

Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, Moonbug has struck its first deal with a public broadcaster, having signed with BBC to bring its portfolio of preschool properties, including CoComelon, Digley and Dazey, Little Baby Bum, Go Buster, and Playtime with Twinkle to the iPlayer platform.

Nicolas Eglau, managing director EMEA and APAC, Moonbug has called the deal “a real quality stamp” for the company’s creative teams.

“BBC is known worldwide for its engaging programming for preschoolers, and Moonbug is excited to enter a partnership with such a renowned organization,” said Eglau.

Moonbug’s programming introduces universal themes that children can relate to via colorful animation and compelling storytelling. Whether it’s eating veggies or getting ready for bed, Moonbug’s playful animation and catchy songs supports children’s development and learning.

British stationery brand Manuscript Pen Company launches online preschool series Lionheart Tales

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The Great British stationery brand, Manuscript Pen Company, has entered the children’s animation sector with the launch of a new preschool series based on its successful Lionheart Collection early learners craft brand.

Manuscript launched its Lionheart Collection in 2019, with a range of arts and craft products for children aged three to 10 years old, specially designed to support development, learn new skills and offer additional benefits, such as pen control, concentration and mindfulness for young learners.

Following the success of the range, the company has now decided to bring The Lionheart Collection to life with a series of animations about the characters, aimed at children aged three to five years old, as well as extend the current product range.

The Lionheart Tales animations will feature on YouTube, and include Arthur, the Mayor of Lionheart Town and his friends, who will each have a heartfelt message to help children develop.

The first episode, called ‘Tummy Flutter-Byes’ is now available to view online.  Coinciding with the launch, Manuscript Pen Company will be supporting the children’s mental health charity Place2Be and non-for-profit global reforestation organisation, Creating Tomorrow’s Forests by donating a percentage of sales from its Lionheart Tales website towards their efforts.

Manuscript will be sharing a series of short, easily digestible mental health and wellbeing blogs with tips and advice from Place2Be, using The Lionheart Tales characters to encourage mental wellness with young audiences early. The move is particularly poignant following findings into the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the mental health of children in the UK.

Manuscript Pen Company has also donated £1,000 of products to Place2Be’s Art Room, where art is utilised to enhance children and young people’s wellbeing.

Charlie Stockbridge, managing director at Manuscript Pen Company, said: “Our Lionheart Collection has continued to prove popular with parents and children alike, so we are delighted to build upon this success and launch our new The Lionheart Tales animation by working in conjunction with creative storytellers, 3Megos.

“It was really vital for us that we created a fun and engaging animation series which positively promotes diversity and inclusivity, and introduces children to different family types and personal characteristics that they may be able to identify with. We hope children love The Lionheart Tales as much as we do and there will be plenty to keep them occupied as our website is going to have lots of activities and learning opportunities too.

“We’re thrilled to have established strong relationships with both larger retailers and smaller outlets since the launch of our Lionheart Collection in 2019, and with new products now available to coincide with the launch of The Lionheart Tales, we look forward to speaking with any additional stockists who may be interested in the range.”

For further information on The Lionheart Tales, visit www.thelionhearttales.com

BBC Studios adds VTech to growing global toy roster for preschool series Bluey

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BBC Studios has agreed a multi-territory licensing deal with VTech to produce electronic role play toys based on its multi-award winning children’s TV property, Bluey.

Marking the latest expansion of the series’ global licensing programme, VTech’s initial Bluey range will feature popular characters from the series and lines include electronic books, role play watches and a phone.

Product is expected to launch at retail in both Australia and USA for Q3 2022, followed by future roll outs in the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.

Andrew Barrett, director of product development and licensing at VTech, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios on this beautifully crafted show. Its focus on imaginative play combined with adventurous storytelling fits perfectly with our ethos of play, learn and develop.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studio, added: “Our new partnership with VTech symbolises a significant extension of our Bluey franchise, joining our other global partners such as Penguin Random House and complementing the highly successful Moose Toys, master toy range.”

First launched in Australia in October 2018, Bluey is fast becoming a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best in class partners.

In its home market, 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. It also won ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.

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 2020 for the total toy industry. Across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q1 2021, it was the third most watched TV series with kids aged two to five years old.

Bluey is also available on CBeebies in the UK, where it has become the top programme on the channel since it launched in April. Its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on BBC iPlayer. Toys from global master toy partner Moose are set to launch at retail in the UK in July.

Acamar Films rolls Bing: Watch, Play, Learn app across Spain and the Netherlands as global growth continues

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Acamar Films’ free premium app, Bing: Watch, Play, Learn is expanding its global reach with upcoming launches in Spain and the Netherlands, in a move that the firm states is ‘indicative of Bing’s accelerating global growth.’

Initially launched in September 2019, the app – which has been downloaded over 1 million times across three territories (UK, Italy and Poland) offers safe, ad-free viewing of all Bing episodes, in addition to Bing learning games and activities, designed to help children develop their imagination, creativity, and motor skills.

The Spanish app, Bing: Mira, Juega, Aprende, launches at a time when awareness of Bing in the territory is at an all-time high thanks to multiple content platforms and the launch of the CP programme.

The Dutch app, Bing: Kijk, Speel, Leer, is launching in the Netherlands, where Bing is enjoying ‘phenomenal master toy success.’

Across all territories, localised versions of the app offer selected episodes and learning games for free – with users given the option to subscribe, for a small monthly or annual fee, to unlock the full content offering; featuring all episodes available in the market, plus all available games.

The Spanish app will be available from Google Play, Apple and Amazon App stores with the Dutch app available from Google Play and Apple App stores.

Claire Brossard, Acamar Films’ director of digital product, said: “Bing: Watch, Play, Learn has enjoyed exceptional success since its launch just over 18 months ago and we are thrilled to continue our international roll-out in Spain and the Netherlands. Spanish and Dutch languages are natural next steps for the app, as we look to move and delight more families, enabling them to interact with Bing like never before, whenever and wherever they want.”

The English-language version of the app has also recently launched in Canada and Ireland as part of the global roll-out. A key part of Acamar Films’ extensive commitment to world-class, audience-centred digital content, Bing: Watch, Play, Learn sits at the centre of Acamar Films’ multi-platform approach to building audiences.

Acamar Films rolls Bing: Watch, Play, Learn app across Spain and the Netherlands as global growth continues

Posted on by

Acamar Films’ free premium app, Bing: Watch, Play, Learn is expanding its global reach with upcoming launches in Spain and the Netherlands, in a move that the firm states is ‘indicative of Bing’s accelerating global growth.’

Initially launched in September 2019, the app – which has been downloaded over 1 million times across three territories (UK, Italy and Poland) offers safe, ad-free viewing of all Bing episodes, in addition to Bing learning games and activities, designed to help children develop their imagination, creativity, and motor skills.

The Spanish app, Bing: Mira, Juega, Aprende, launches at a time when awareness of Bing in the territory is at an all-time high thanks to multiple content platforms and the launch of the CP programme.

The Dutch app, Bing: Kijk, Speel, Leer, is launching in the Netherlands, where Bing is enjoying ‘phenomenal master toy success.’

Across all territories, localised versions of the app offer selected episodes and learning games for free – with users given the option to subscribe, for a small monthly or annual fee, to unlock the full content offering; featuring all episodes available in the market, plus all available games.

The Spanish app will be available from Google Play, Apple and Amazon App stores with the Dutch app available from Google Play and Apple App stores.

Claire Brossard, Acamar Films’ director of digital product, said: “Bing: Watch, Play, Learn has enjoyed exceptional success since its launch just over 18 months ago and we are thrilled to continue our international roll-out in Spain and the Netherlands. Spanish and Dutch languages are natural next steps for the app, as we look to move and delight more families, enabling them to interact with Bing like never before, whenever and wherever they want.”

The English-language version of the app has also recently launched in Canada and Ireland as part of the global roll-out. A key part of Acamar Films’ extensive commitment to world-class, audience-centred digital content, Bing: Watch, Play, Learn sits at the centre of Acamar Films’ multi-platform approach to building audiences.

Bulldog Licensing signs up with Marcus & Marcus as baby brand makes European licensing push

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The mother and baby brand, Marcus & Marcus has shifted its licensing focus on to the European market, with the appointment of Bulldog Licensing to head up its plans across the children’s space and into toys, gifts, nursery products and more.

Initially created as a range of infant feeding products, Marcus & Marcus recently revealed its plans to expand the brand name into the wider consumer products arena, taking on categories such as apparel and publishing by utilising its character IP that includes Marcus the lion cub, Lola the giraffe, Ollie the elephant, and Lucas the hippo.

Under its remit as European licensing agency for the multi award winning brand, Bulldog Licensing will be looking to partner with a raft of licensees across toys and gifts, nursery products, homewares, and more.

‘The founders of Marcus & Marcus are parents themselves with a love of unique, modern designs. Marcus & Marcus’ delivers simple, effective designs with quality, safe and sustainable products to keep children entertained and engaged,’ read a statement from the firm.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, added: “We’re really excited to be working with Marcus & Marcus. Their fun, bold designs offer a great opportunity for licensees to develop quality, smart and functional products in a wide range of categories to build on the existing, award-winning range using the instantly recognizable artwork.”