Tag Archives: ViacomCBS

ViacomCBS details raft of UK partners for Blue’s Clues & You following ‘overwhelming demand’

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With a master toy line already in the works from the global toy company, Just Play, Nick Jr’s hit pre-school series Blue’s Clues & You has now confirmed a raft of UK partners that include Kids Designs, Imagine8, and Kimm & Miller.

The news of the latest signings was announced during the Festival of Licensing’s Americas week by ViacomCBS Consumer Products, vice president for the UK and Ireland, Venetia Davie. It supports a major licensing programme for the property that is now scheduled to hit shelves in July 2021.

Earlier this year, VCP partnered with Just Play to develop a master toy line for the pre-school series. The toy line, targeting pre-schoolers aged two to five years old, includes plush and interactive toys, developed to ‘enhance the key brand attributes to translate success from screen to shelves across the UK.’

Additional partners for Blue’s Clues & You now include Kid Designs for consumer electronics, Imagine8 on accessories and Kimm & Miller who will work on novelty food gifting.

Meanwhile, Fashion UK, who also partners with VCP for PAW Patrol: The Movie, will cover daywear, while Character World will focus on bedding and Amscan on costume and dress up.

In the publishing space, Egmont have acquired the UK rights for Blue’s Clues & You! themed magazines and Signature Gifts on personalised books.

Since launching in April this year in the UK, Blue’s Clues & You! has quickly become a key driver for Nick Jr. The show now ranks as the number fourth show on the channel, only behind ratings juggernauts PAW Patrol and Peppa Pig as well as recently launched The Adventures of Paddington.

A remake of the curriculum-driven interactive series Blue’s Clues, Blue’s Clues & You! follows Blue as she invites viewers to join her and the host Josh on a clue-led adventure and solve a puzzle in each episode. With each signature paw print, Blue identifies clues in her animated world that propel the story and inspire the audience to interact with the characters.

“It’s indicative of the huge popularity of Blue’s Clues & You! that toys and products have been in such overwhelming demand since the series relaunched earlier this year,” said Davie.

“It’s fantastic that Just Play is on board as master toy licensee, and I cannot wait to see how they, together with our other partners, turn Blue and her universe into toys and playthings for this next generation to enjoy.”

Blue’s Clues & You! will be launching this month on Channel 5’s Milkshake! with a second season heading to Nick Jr. in November and a third season already greenlit for 2021.

The property is also available in different formats, including a dedicated YouTube channel which received over 98M global views between March and July this year alone and the Storytime with Josh & Blue podcast which launched this summer on Spotify, reaching over 100k people in just three weeks.

ViacomCBS details raft of UK partners for Blue’s Clues & You following ‘overwhelming demand’

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With a master toy line already in the works from the global toy company, Just Play, Nick Jr’s hit pre-school series Blue’s Clues & You has now confirmed a raft of UK partners that include Kids Designs, Imagine8, and Kimm & Miller.

The news of the latest signings was announced during the Festival of Licensing’s Americas week by ViacomCBS Consumer Products, vice president for the UK and Ireland, Venetia Davie. It supports a major licensing programme for the property that is now scheduled to hit shelves in July 2021.

Earlier this year, VCP partnered with Just Play to develop a master toy line for the pre-school series. The toy line, targeting pre-schoolers aged two to five years old, includes plush and interactive toys, developed to ‘enhance the key brand attributes to translate success from screen to shelves across the UK.’

Additional partners for Blue’s Clues & You now include Kid Designs for consumer electronics, Imagine8 on accessories and Kimm & Miller who will work on novelty food gifting.

Meanwhile, Fashion UK, who also partners with VCP for PAW Patrol: The Movie, will cover daywear, while Character World will focus on bedding and Amscan on costume and dress up.

In the publishing space, Egmont have acquired the UK rights for Blue’s Clues & You! themed magazines and Signature Gifts on personalised books.

Since launching in April this year in the UK, Blue’s Clues & You! has quickly become a key driver for Nick Jr. The show now ranks as the number fourth show on the channel, only behind ratings juggernauts PAW Patrol and Peppa Pig as well as recently launched The Adventures of Paddington.

A remake of the curriculum-driven interactive series Blue’s Clues, Blue’s Clues & You! follows Blue as she invites viewers to join her and the host Josh on a clue-led adventure and solve a puzzle in each episode. With each signature paw print, Blue identifies clues in her animated world that propel the story and inspire the audience to interact with the characters.

“It’s indicative of the huge popularity of Blue’s Clues & You! that toys and products have been in such overwhelming demand since the series relaunched earlier this year,” said Davie.

“It’s fantastic that Just Play is on board as master toy licensee, and I cannot wait to see how they, together with our other partners, turn Blue and her universe into toys and playthings for this next generation to enjoy.”

Blue’s Clues & You! will be launching this month on Channel 5’s Milkshake! with a second season heading to Nick Jr. in November and a third season already greenlit for 2021.

The property is also available in different formats, including a dedicated YouTube channel which received over 98M global views between March and July this year alone and the Storytime with Josh & Blue podcast which launched this summer on Spotify, reaching over 100k people in just three weeks.

PAW Patrol: The Movie lands raft of 21 UK licensing partners ahead of film’s August 2021 release

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ViacomCBS Consumer Products has secured a raft of 21 UK partners for the popular pre-school brand, PAW Patrol ahead of the slated launch of PAW Patrol: The Movie in August next year. The licensing programme will kick into action from July 2021 and will include new toy lines, apparel, accessories, consumer packaged goods, home, publishing, and home entertainment.

The series producer and master toy partner, Spin Master, will lead the charge with the launch of a specially developed toy line comprising figures, plush, role-play, vehicles, and play-sets, as well as a range of True Metal vehicles.

The roll out will be followed by ranges from the likes of Crayola, VTech, Play by Play, RMS International, Sambro, and Kiddieland, all of which will create toys and games inspired by the new PAW Patrol movie look and feel.

On the home and apparel front, ViacomCBS Consumer Products has partnered with Blues and Fashion UK for daywear, Aykroyd TDP for nightwear and Amscan for costumes. Bedding and textiles will be created by Character World.

ViacomCBS Consumer Products will also continue its partnership with Worlds Apart, Kinnerton, Seabrook, Yoplait and Beiersdorf, as well as joining forces with new partners.

In the publishing space, Signature Gifts will release personalized books, and Egmont is set to release a PAW Patrol magazine special and movie tie-in books. Other partnerships include Danilo for social expressions and DNC and Sambro for back-to-school accessories.

PAW Patrol: The Movie is a Spin Master Entertainment production in association with Nickelodeon Movies and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Venetia Davie, VP of ViacomCBS consumer products for the UK and Ireland, said: “PAW Patrol continues to shine in the pre-school space, dominating across traditional TV, streaming services, digital and retail, with next year’s movie set to be a summer cinema hit.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with such strong partners including Paramount Pictures and Spin Master, ensuring that the magic of the big-screen is translated into products which children up and down country will continue to love long after they have seen the movie.”

ViacomCBS turns up its podcast activity with SpongeBob Squarepants, PAW Patrol and Catfish

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ViacomCBS has dialed up its podcasting activity with a raft of new series based on its hit children’s and adult entertainment roster, including SpongeBob Squarepants, PAW Patrol, and Catfish. The firm has said that it is ‘accelerating its momentum on the audio space’ with a robust new line up.

The news has arrived the same week that ViacomCBS revealed it was developing a new version of Yo! MTV Raps and more audio spin-offs of The Daily Show. These follow a new deal it has struck with iHeartMedia, Deadline reports.

New shows include in its audio line-up include those from its Nickelodeon arm, SpongeBob BingePants: The Rewatch, an Avatar / Korra Airbender Universe podcast, and a PAW Patrol podcast. The Catfish podcast will come from MTV in partnership with podcast producer Wondery, the company behind Dirty John and Dr Death.

“Powered by an expansive portfolio of leading brands and iconic IP, ViacomCBS is accelerating its fortified momentum in the podcasting space,” said Domenic DiMeglio, EVP, head of operations and chief marketing officer for ViacomCBS Digital. “With a robust slate of new and returning series, we are building from an incredible foundation to super serve our global audiences wherever they choose to listen.”

Channel 5’s NFL broadcasting partnership will ‘bring excitement of NFL season in the US to British homes’

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National Football League will be touching down on UK television thanks to a new partnership struck between the NFL and ViacomCBS Networks International’s Channel 5. The three-year partnership will bring Monday Night Football to the channel, as well as a Sunday morning NFL magazine show.

The partnership aims to ‘take all the excitement of the NFL season in the US into British homes.’ It also covers ‘new and unique NFL content across MTV International’s digital platforms in the UK.’

“We are very proud to have agreed a new partnership with ViacomCBS and Channel 5,” said Sameer Pabari, NFL managing director, international media. “The range of content available across different time slots and platforms means there is something for everyone – from established fans to those new to the sport.”

James Tatam, VP portfolio operations, ViacomCBS Networks UK, added: “We’re looking forward to bringing high-quality entertainment from the NFL to a free-to-air audience in the U.K. The content has a broad, cross-generational appeal that will not only serve an existing NFL fanbase in the UK, but will also attract new viewers to the sport.”

Monday Night Football, one of America’s most iconic TV sports series, will be broadcast from a studio in Los Angeles, with host Kirsten Watson joined by former All-Pro Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew and other special guests.

The Sunday morning show, called NFL End Zone, will be presented by actress and singer Cory Yarckin and “will delve deeper into the culture behind America’s greatest sport,” ViacomCBS said. It will air at 11:30 a.m. U.K. time on Channel 5, which was previously an NFL broadcaster from 1998 to 2009.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, season coverage kicks off on Sunday, with Monday Night Football launching in the UK on Monday from MetLife Stadium as the New York Giants host the Pittsburgh Steelers on the opening weekend of the season.

Sambro teams with ViacomCBS and Pinkfong for Baby Shark arts & crafts, novelty, and outdoor toys

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Sambro International has detailed its new partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and Pinkfong to produce and launch a range of children’s arts and crafts, novelty, and outdoor products inspired by the Baby Shark brand.

The new range will include painting sets, doughs, and inflatable play products, and is scheduled to hit shelves in spring 2021.

Tony Hicks, Sambro CEO, commented: “We are delighted to be continuing our long running partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and are excited to be diving into the exciting world of Baby Shark.”

Next year will see Baby Shark swim from YouTube and onto Nick Jr. with a new series titled Baby Shark’s Big Show, featuring a whole cast of characters, a humorous script, and a collection of songs billed ‘just as catchy as the original.’

Venetia Davie, vice president of consumer products, ViacomCBS UK, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Sambro and Pinkfong to expand the world of Baby Shark and create innovative new products that will be hitting homes, gardens, swimming pools and the great outdoors early next year.”

WildBrain CPLG and Star Trek warp into digital wall art with BeArty

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The entertainment, sport, and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the tech company BeArty to launch a new digital wall art range inspired by the iconic sci-fi franchise, Star Trek. The deal was brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

The new partnership will witness the launch of a collection of digital wall art that fans can display on their Smart TVs. Through BeArty’s Vizzio Art software, consumers can navigate thousands of artwork options through its mobile app. The new Star Trek offering will feature hundreds of images from the franchise. It will be available to subscribers from this month.

John Taylor, VP Northern Europe and MD UK, Eire and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Star Trek has a hugely loyal and wide fan-base and this innovative new partnership with BeArty gives those fans an exciting opportunity to access their favourite artwork in an affordable and accessible way.

“We look forward to seeing fans around the world replacing their blank TV screens with eye-catching Star Trek ships in their homes and offices.”

Patrick Ashworth, founder and CEO of BeArty Ltd, added: “BeArty is excited to launch this new platform, which will allow fans to experience Star Trek all day long. With the large and growing wall decoration market, and the widespread use of smart phones and Smart TVs, it is finally time to make a real impact in the market and make art available to everyone and empower them to change their wall décor in just a couple of clicks.”

WildBrain CPLG and cycle brand Milltag launch Twin Peaks capsule collection

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WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the London-based cyclewear brand Milltag for a new capsule collection celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original TV series, Twin Peaks.

Brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of ViacomCBS Consumer Products, the Twin Peaks x Milltag collection features a full range of cycle clothing, including a jersey, shorts, mitts, snood and cap, and will be available for a limited time in the UK this summer.

The range combines cutting-edge garment technology, high-performance fabrics and a slim fit. The collection’s earthy green and brown tone colourway is inspired by the natural surroundings depicted in Twin Peaks, and is adorned with the logos of iconic local businesses from the series including Double R diner, and the Packard Sawmill.

Laura Quinn, category manager UK at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Twin Peaks has an avid and highly engaged following thanks to its bold, original and genre-bending approach which remains influential to this day. With the show now celebrating its 30th anniversary, we’re very excited to be collaborating with Milltag and translating the brand into a dynamic and high-quality cyclewear range, which we’re sure will be a huge hit with fans across the UK.”

Ed Cowburn, owner at Milltag, added: “Milltag’s favourite projects are ones that hold emotions for people. Whether it be producing products based around someone’s favourite film, album, band or in this case, television show. We like to think that these products mean more to people than a regular off the rack design. Hopefully that means they’ll treasure and look after them, leading to a more sustainable model of consumption as clothing is worn to the very end of its usage cycle.

“We’re incredibly proud of this project as fans of the show. The chance to add to the rich world created by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990 is a dream come true and we like to think we’ve designed something true to the essence of Twin Peaks.”

 Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, Twin Peaks debuted on ABC in April 1990 with an original two seasons and has become one of the most iconic television shows of all time.

In 2017, a third season of Twin Peaks launched on Sky Atlantic. Set in a sleepy Washington town which is rocked by the murder of a young girl, Twin Peaks explores crime, loss, grief and life in small-town America.

Magic Light, ViacomCBS, and Sky in production on new pre-school series Pip and Posy

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The multiple Oscar-nominated Magic Light Pictures is to produce a new CG animated series called Pip and Posy, based on the Nosy Crow story book series from author Camilla Reid and illustrator, Axel Scheffler.

The series will have the added weight of a first time co-production partnership between ViacomCBS and Sky behind it and will premiere exclusively on Channel 5’s Milkshake and Sky’s on-demand service Sky Kids. Animation services on the series will be provided by Blue Zoo.

Pip and Posy follows a mouse and a rabbit whose lives revolve around a world of play. Packed with warmth and humour, the series is a celebration of friendship, laughter and games, as well as life’s ups and downs. The series deals with emotions, resilience and feelings in a relatable way for pre-schoolers to learn about themselves.

Currently in production, the series is based on characters from Nosy Crow’s popular collection of story books by Axel Scheffler and author Camilla Reid. Pip and Posy is Magic Light’s first pre-school series and sees the continuation of the production company’s 13 year association with Scheffler, which has produced seven high-profile animated specials based on his successful book collaborations with author Julia Donaldson.

“Pip and Posy is a delightful series that captures the essence of how young children play, think and feel and fits perfectly with our portfolio of educational and fun programming, teaching pre-schoolers the importance of friendship and understanding their emotional and social wellbeing through imaginative storytelling and creative play,” said Louise Bucknole, VP programming kids, ViacomCBS Networks UK.

“We have a long-running and close relationship with Sky, so it’s very exciting to have commissioned our first co-production together, enabling us to bring the very best of British animation to Milkshake! from world class producers Magic Light Pictures.”

 Lucy Murphy, director of kids at Sky UK & Ireland, added:”Pip and Posy is a playful series that will be loved by young children and their families.  This addition to Sky Kids, plus our recent raft of original commissions, demonstrates our ambition to feature a range of premium British programming for under 12s.

“We bring our customers the very best kids TV alongside our partner channels and this co-production with Milkshake! evolves our close relationship with ViacomCBS.”

 Michael Rose, co-founder of Magic Light, said: “We’re really excited to be producing our first-ever pre-school series and proud to be working with Milkshake! and Sky. Axel Scheffler creates truly enchanting worlds and we can’t wait for viewers to join  Pip and Posy for their fun and adventures.”

Magic Light Pictures holds the global distribution and merchandising rights to Pip and Posy (excluding publishing) and is developing a full licensing programme to complement the new series.

Last year Milkshake! pledged to double its content investment, which will lead to 50 new UK originated hours per year from 2021.