NBCUniversal Cable Ent.’s 24-hour preschool network Sprout is expanding its original programming offerings with a greenlight for a new animated series, Remy and Boo (due in 2018), second season orders for Floogals and Nina’s World, and a rich development slate taking root.
“We know that moms and kids are coming to Sprout in large part for our original programming – and our 21% growth rate in women 18-49 tells us it’s resonating,” said Amy Friedman, SVP, Programming and Development, Sprout. “Our mission is simple: we help kids grow into good people. We focus on compassion, curiosity, courage, and challenge in every bit of content we create – and we feel very lucky that we get to do this every day.”
Set in the near future, Remy and Boo is centered on the friendship between five-year-old human Remy and her newfound companion Boo, a robot who is programmed to learn and feel real emotions. The CG animated series follows the duo on their journey of love, friendship and discovering what it truly means to be human.
Remy and Boo is created by co-Founder Matt Fernandes of Industrial Brothers, which is producing the series with Boat Rocker Studios. Boat Rocker Rights will handle international distribution and manage merchandising and licensing on all platforms.
“We are delighted with Sprout’s incredible commitment to this show and we look forward to beginning production immediately with our partners at Boat Rocker to bring this unique and timely story to life – Remy and Boo reminds us that love is the shining light at the foundation of our shared humanity, no matter our age, gender or background,” said Fernandes and co-Founder Arthur Spanos.
Season 2 of Floogals — Sprout’s highest-rated show with women 18-49 and kids 2-5 for the last quarter — will go into production with Nevision in time for a 2018 launch. Nigel Packard is again executive producing with the same creative team. Season 2 of Nina’s World will comprise 26 episodes produced by Pipeline Studios. Rita Moreno will return to voice the role of Nina’s Abuelita.
Sprout’s original series development slate priorities are currently:
Little Shaq – executive produced by Shaquille O’Neal and inspired by Shaq’s real life childhood, the series follows an outsized boy’s funny and often awkward adventures in his urban American neighborhood. From Universal Cable Productions, the series is also executive produced by Full Fathom Five’s James Frey and Todd Cohen.
Ivy and Bean – Based on the bestselling book series by Annie Barrows and produced by Kindle Entertainment, this animated show features two best friends who never meant to like each other.
Make + Do – Studio-based live action show starring Sunny Side Up’s Carly Ciarrocchi. The show features three teams with the same mission, the same materials… and unlimited possibilities in the world of kid crafting. Produced by Breakthrough Entertainment.
Norm of the Forest – Norman is the superintendent of the forest, fixing the problems of its highly eccentric characters with a touch of magic and can-do attitude in this animated comedy. Written by Alex Rockwell and Judy Rothman.
Powerbirds – Animated comedy created by Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Stephen P. Breen. The show features two pet parakeets who live top secret superhero lives, saving the world – and their neighborhood – one kind deed at a time.
Wombat and Rabbit – Twin brothers (not really) who put on the world’s greatest magic show (not really). Although their tricks constantly go haywire, nothing deters these screwball best friends from trying to become the best magicians they can possibly be. Created by Greg Dummett and Steve Westren.
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