Mondo TV is returning to MIPCOM with new and expanding titles. “Despite the difficulties of the past 18 months, we have successfully developed, produced and brought to multiple platforms many new, innovative and relevant shows for the demanding kids’ market,” said CEO Matteo Corradi. “All these shows are funny, involving and highly original and, at a tough time for everyone, will bring joy and excitement to kids – and to the broadcast market. We can’t wait to tell friends and colleagues about our work in person as we return to MIPCOM, at last!” (www.mondotvgroup.com)
- MeteoHereos is a climate and environmentalism-focused series that follows the adventures of six superpowered kids who can control weather phenomena. After its successful launch on Cartoonito (Italy) last Fall, S1 is headed to Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Adriatic, Baltics, MENA, and the Americas, and French overseas territories. Two TV movies will premiere on Cartoonito this fall, and Season 2 is due in October. A videogame from Mondo TV Studios, SIE Espana and Gammera Nest is coming to PlayStation, PC and Mac in 2022.
- Robot Trains has rolled out two seasons in over 60 countries (including worldwide on Netflix), and Season 3 (52 x 13′) is on the way. way! In their newest adventure, full of thrills, humor and invention, Railwatch – trains that become robots to defend Rail World – face their toughest challenge when the villainous Train X takes control of a deadly source of energy.
- The Wee Littles is a new 52 x 5′ preschool animation from MagPie 6 Media, crafted in a simulated stop-motion technique using puppets created by Mackinnon & Saunders. Emma Hogan is attached as head writer and director. The stories center on a family of four very small creatures living in a great, big forest as they work together to overcome life’s little obstacles with imagination, support and humor. Toon2Tango and Mondo TV are jointly distributing the series, commissioned by Irish pubcaster RTE.
- Monster Loving Maniacs (52 x 11′, Kids 6-10, 2D), from Mondo TV, Toon2Tango, Ja Film, Belvision and Ginger Pictures, is about three siblings who go into training with their grandfather to become Monster Hunters. Unlike their mentor, the kids see monsters not as a threat, but as misunderstood creatures. The series has pre-sold to Super RTL (Germany) and leading broadcasters in Scandinavia.
- Grisù (52 x 11′, Prescshool) reimagines the classic property created by Nino and Toni Pagot in 3D CGI, and follows the adventures of the brave, optimistic and determined young dragon who wants to grow up to be a firefighter instead of a fire-breathing beasty. The new series from Mondo TV Group, Toon2Tango, ZDF and ZDF Enterprises (worldwide distribution exc. Italy, France, Spain & China) is due in the second half of 2022 and is pre-sold to Rai Ragazzi’s Yoyo.
- Nina & Olga (52 x 7′, Preschool, 2D HD), based on the global publishing property Olga the Cloud by Nicoletta Costa, centers on a little girl named Nina whose special friend Olga, a cute and funny cloud, helps her cope with everyday emotions and navigate her rich, colorful world. Co-produced by Enanimation and Mondo TV Imberamerica with Rai Ragazzi, the series premieres Sept. 13 on VOD RaiPlay and on Rai Yoyo Sept. 27.
- Annie & Carola (52 x 11′, 2D HD) stars Carola, a nerd with no social skills who builds a robot clone called Annie to be her best friend. However, a freak accident turns her robot friend into a wild, fun-loving and outgoing companion – Carola’s complete opposite – who drags Carola into all the kinds of situations she fears the most. The new series from producer-director Myriam Ballesteros is co-produced by RTVE, Mondo TV Studios and MB Producciones.
FuturumKids is sending a crack team to MIPCOM with the aim of building broadcast alliances for Paddles, the new 52 x 11′ CGI series for kids 4-7. Monster Entertainment was appointed earlier this year to handle global TV sales, excluding Korea, where the show is managed by Neon. The series, about a polar bear cub who is accidentally dropped into the frozen River Shannon and by the Stork and raised by a pack of Irish wolfhounds, premiered this week on Cartoonito (U.K.) and will soon debut on RTE (Ireland). FuturumKids will also be highlighting recent distribution and broadcasting agreements, the ongoing Paddles licensing and merchandising campaign, and plans for new projects. (futurumkids.com)
Jetpack Distribution acquired worldwide rights to cartoon spoof animal documentary Critters TV, from Dublin-based Turnip & Duck. The 26 x 11′, 2D Flash/live-action hybrid series for kids 4-8 was funded by Screen Ireland, RTÉjr, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the support of incentives for the Irish Film Industry provided by the Government of Ireland. The sketch-style series gives audiences an animal’s-eye view on nature docs as different animal families gather round the TV, offering humorous observations and amazing facts about the natural world. (www.jetpackdistribution.tv)
Rainbow celebrated the debut of new series Pinocchio and Friends at the 78th Venice Biennale with a red carpet appearance for the popular puppet, alongside series creator Iginio Straffi. The show brings Carlo Collodi’s classic story into the modern world as an animated action comedy as Pinocchio and his friends Freeda and Talking Cricket embark on original, surprising adventures starring lots of new characters. Pinocchio and Friends premieres November 29 on Rai Yoyo (Italy). (www.rbw.it)
Sales & Deals:
- AzamTV has added WarnerMedia channels including Cartoon Network and Boomerang to its Pay TV channel line-up in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi.
- Beyond Rights is sending its newest kids’ show Turbozaurs (26 x 7′) is heading to China a two-season deal with Alibaba’s streaming platform Youku, to launch in November.
- Carousel (Russia) premiered Winsing‘s (China) hit series GOGO BUS 27, with VOD/OTT launches planned for other CIS territories late this year.
- Digital Television Russia Group has completed a number of sales for several series produced by Paravoz Studio. Telewizja Polska media group’s TVP ABC (Poland) and Televisio de Catalunya’s Super 3 (Spain) have picked up Be-be-bears; Talit Communications’s Junior (Israel) snagged Heroes of Envell and A.S.T.; the YouKid app (Israel) is adding Leo and Tig and Be-be-bears; and JEI TV recently debuted Leo and Tig across South Korea and Asia-Pacific.
- Guru Studio (Canada) inked several new broadcast deals for preschool series Pikwik Pack, including Tiny Pop (U.K.), Rai (Italy), YLE (Finland), Gloob (Brazil), Televisa (Mexico) TG4 (Ireland), Canal Panda (Spain) Mediacorp Okto (Singapore), EBC YOYO (Taiwan), OSN (Middle East & Baltics). Guru has also tapped Fauna Entertainment as exclusive licensing and media distribution partner for True and the Rainbow Kingdom in Turkey.
- KidsBeeTV is expanding its catalog for family audiences worldwide, striking a deal with Media IM for all five seasons of preschool series Sunny Bunnies.
- Moonbug Entertainment continues to scale in Asia, partnering with leading Pay TV platform Cignal TV (Philippines) covering hit kids’ content like CoComelon, Blippi and Little Baby Bum.
- Platoshka (Russia) and UYoung (China) have inked a deal to localize animated learning series Beadies (55 x 5′, ages 0-4) into Mandarin. The show amassed over 10 million views on Russian YouTube in the first two months.
- Rakuten TV has added Teletubbies, Caillou and Baby Shark TV to its Kids & Family free channel lineup. The platform is strengthening its position across Europe through partnerships with major creators, distributors and broadcasters including recent partners WildBrain and NEW ID.
- Sunny Days Entertainment launched its new Honey Bee Acres toy line with an animated series (8 x 2′) for kids 3+, which showcases the everyday adventures of the little flocked animal families. Episodes are rolling out on the Honey Bee Acres YouTube channel.
- Xilam Animation ramps up the global expansion of Where’s Chicky (S1&2, 104 x 1′) with a third season (52 x 1′) in production for delivery by December. New broadcast partners include France Televisions, YLE (Finland, NRK (Norway), VRT (Flemish Belgium) and VOD platform MBC (MENA) for S1-3; SRC (Canada), Etisalat (U.A.E.), Choirock (South Korea) and Astro (Malaysia) for S2-3.
