Guru Launches True and The Rainbow Kingdom FAST Channel: Toronto-based kids entertainment producer Guru Studio and ad-supported streaming specialist Future Today have launched a partnership to launch a dedicated free advertising-supported linear TV (FAST) channel for the hit series True and the Rainbow Kingdom in the US. The new channel will deliver content from Gurus’ flagship preschool series to a new dedicated, streaming channel across Future Today’s partnerships with major connected TV (CTV) and OTT platforms.
True and the Rainbow Kingdom has built a massive global fan base with four seasons currently streaming on Netflix worldwide. On YouTube the series has amassed over 1 Billion views! A range of toys by master toy partner United Smile have already launched in several territories including the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, the Nordics and Australia. The show is also a top performer on major linear networks such as CBC Kids in Canada, Tiny Pop in the UK, Gloob in Brazil, and Clan TV in Spain.
Big Bad Boo Opens Vienna Studio: Big Bad Boo has now officially expanded to Austria. Co-founders Aly Jetha and Shabnam Rezaei are heading up the expansion in Vienna to scale their efforts in development, production, and distribution of children’s programming. Having established stakes in New York, with a Tribeca location and Vancouver, with the Yaletown studio, the Vienna studio is ready for business in Europe.
Company co-founder Shabnam Rezaei grew up in Vienna, “It’s a pleasure to set up shop in Vienna and begin the process of creating local shows. We have a healthy development slate across three countries now and hope to make great shows with new partners and help bolster the animation industry for the region.” Aly Jetha added, “Vienna is at the heart of Central Europe and a key location for expansion into Europe, the Middle East and Asia.” In January, Austria announced a 35% tax credit incentive for Film and Television, making production competitive and coinciding nicely with the company’s undertaking.
The Vienna studio is developing four new local show ideas, and continuing to work in writing, storyboarding, and voice records across existing shows. Big Bad Boo has six shows in development and producing Galapagos X (TVOKids), Season 3 of 1001 Nights, and Judge Jodhi.
FableVision TV & Film Group Is Now Moonladder: Boston-based FableVision Studios is rebranding its TV & Film Group as Moonladder. Tone Thyne, currently Vice President, Creative, will continue to head up the group and assume the newly created title of Vice President, Moonladder. FableVision’s Moonladder group will focus exclusively on creating, show-running and co-producing animated and live-action broadcast properties in the film and TV space.
In a related move, FableVision has named Rachel Reade Marcus Vice President, Development for the studio. Marcus joins the company after serving as Vice President, Creative Development for Guru Studio, where she led the company’s development of original IP. Both Thyne and Marcus report to FableVision President and Co-Founder Gary Goldberger.
Marcus joined Guru Studio in 2015 as Development Executive and was named Vice President, Creative Development in 2019. While at Guru, Marcus co-created the preschool series Pikwik Pack for Disney Junior US, Hulu and Treehouse Canada. She also served as Executive Producer on the comedy adventure series Big Blue with CBC in Canada. Marcus will continue to consult for Guru on selected projects in development. Prior to Guru, Marcus served as Producer, Digital Content Development + Production for Nickelodeon. For more info, visit fablevisionstudios.com
Atlantyca’s Berry Bees and Bat Pat Find New Homes! Children’s transmedia producer Atlantyca Entertainment has extended its relationship with streaming platform Future Today. Through this expansion, Future Today will now distribute the first season of the Italian studio’s spy-action animated series Berry Bees and the second season of the spooky comedy show Bat Pat, on its flagship kids and family-channel, HappyKids. Both series are currently available on the platform broadcast throughout the US and Canada for Berry Bees, while Bat Pat is streamed in US, Canada and UK.
“Berry Bees and Bat Pat have proven to resonate with kids and families everywhere,” noted Alessandra Dematteis, Distribution Manager, Atlantyca Entertainment. “Both of these animated shows are comprised of wonderful animation supported by strong storytelling, easily captivating young audiences everywhere. We are so excited to be working with the Future Today team again and look forward to sharing these two delightful series with their expansive young audience reach.”
