Moonbug, a global entertainment company that develops and distributes values-based content for kids, today announced that Mia’s Magic Playground, its first original series based on the successful Little Baby Bum series, will launch on Sky Kids, part of Sky, Europe’s leading media and entertainment company, in June. This is the first partnership as part of Moonbug’s planned global distribution of the series.
Mia’s Magic Playground, which caters to audiences aged four to six years old, follows popular Little Baby Bum character Mia and her two best friends, Oskar and Tillie, through their world of play. The series will be available in English on Sky Kids across Sky’s platforms including Sky Q, Sky Go, the Sky Kids App and NOW TV. The show originally premiered across Scandinavia in February on Viaplay, the Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) streaming service.
“Sky is a tremendous partner that unites scale and quality, especially in the kids space. We are excited to offer this premium show to its viewers,” said Nicolas Eglau, head of EMEA, Moonbug. “This partnership is a strong indicator of the quality of our production as we continue distribution across the globe.”
Lucy Murphy, Director Kids’ Content, Sky, added, “With lovable new characters exploring the world through play, Mia’s Magic Playground is sure to become a favourite for the younger end of our audience who will love the colorful, imaginative world that Mia and her friends inhabit.”
Acamar Films’ hit preschool series Bing continues to grow, with a number of broadcasters showing commitment in the Netherlands, Nordics, Poland, Portugal and Canada, signing new broadcast deals in the last few weeks. The series has now been licensed by key broadcsters 130 territories.
- In the Netherlands, NPO Zappelin (the Dutch television block for children aged 2-6) have relicensed Series 1 to 3, following the successful premiere of Series 4 on the channel in January this year.
- In the Nordics, SVOD and DVD service SF Kids have built on their existing relationship with Bing, having recently acquired Series 4. This latest deal underlines evidence of Bing’s growth in the Nordics, which has included a 20% increase in average audience share YOY on free TV partner SVT.
- Additionally, Bing Series 1 to 3 has been relicensed by NRK in Norway, RTP in Portugal, TFO in Canada and MiniMini+ in Poland, while TVO Kids in Canada have opted to expand their Bing offering, having ordered the latest 26 x 7′ episodes.
Produced by Acamar Films in association with Dublin-based partner Brown Bag Films, Bing has seen extraordinary success since it launched in 2014. A ratings hit across many broadcasters including CBeebies in the U.K., the series won an International Emmy Award in the Kids Preschool category in 2016 and has recently been announced as a nominee for the Rockie Awards 2020.
“We take a highly considered approach to the global distribution of Bing and we’re delighted to be working with such a fantastic set of partners across these territories,” said Eroulla Constantine, Director of Sales and Distribution at Acamar Films. “Bing’s success around the world is a testament to how relatable and recognisable Bing’s everyday ‘micro-dramas’ are to young children and their grown-ups.”
Pinguim Content (formerly TV PinGuim), Latin America’s leading animation company, and Canadian co-producer partner Kondolole Films have announced a partnership with Safe Streaming AVOD channel Kidoodle.TV for the animated music-based preschool series Ping and Friends, in a deal negotiated by Sara Cooper at Meta Media, distribution partner for the show.
The 52 x 7’ series is now available in English and French on the Canada-based safe streaming AVOD service, which is aimed at children under 12 and their families and is available in more than 140 countries. Amazon Prime (U.S.) is also airing a number of episodes from the series.
Delightful and harmonious, Ping and Friends follows the colorful adventures of Ping and her pals as they find musical inspiration in all sorts of unlikely places. While having fun with words and sounds, they come up with the most fantastical tunes imaginable. If life’s a song, they’re going to sing it! Ping and Friends helps young viewers grow their vocabulary, discover rhythm and rhyme and experience an array of music genres.
Planeta Junior has just signed an agreement to distribute CGI preschool series Kiddets in Europe. This project is the first co-production by Pukeko Pictures and Hengxin Shambala Kids. The deal makes Planeta Junior responsible for TV distribution and licensing in over 50 countries, including all of Europe, Russia and various nations in the Middle East.
Created by Martin Baynton (The WotWots) and Richard Taylor (founder, Weta Workshop), Kiddets follows the adventures of five young WotWots (Patches, Dapper, Bounce, Stripes and Luna) as they learn to become space explorers.Designed to fulfil key aspects of learning through captivating entertainment, each character is interested in a different subject: science, art and culture, health and safety, mechanics and leadership. The stories focus on the quest for knowledge and game play as the characters make discoveries and learn. Children learn safely through play. Each story highlights the discovery of new information, learning and key values like friendship, trust, honesty, kindness, tolerance, patience, truthfulness, reliability, forgiveness, respect, hard work and tenacity.
The second season of Kiddets is in production, following its successful broadcast in China, Australia and New Zealand. The series has also made the leap off the small screen, thanks to a range of interactive games and a mobile app for the youngest members of the family.
Six Malaysian-made animation titles made their way to Amazon Prime via a deal signed between Primeworks Distribution, a subsidiary of Primeworks Studios and Janson Media. Ejen Ali, Soccer Bugs, Cingkus Blues, Saladin, Knowsy Nina Wants to Know and Super Tots are now available to Prime subscribers across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Developed and produced in Malaysia, five of these titles are represented by Primeworks Distribution while Ejen Ali is produced by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation.
- Ejen Ali (Season 1: 13 x 22′) Produced by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation (U.K.) (U.S.A.) A fanciful boy activates a top secret super-intelligence device, plunging him to the life of a secret agent. Follow him as he discovers his abilities through his fun-filled and exciting adventures.
- Cingkus Blues (Season 1: 26 x 11′ | Season 2: 26 x 11′) Produced by 3rd Rock Creation (U.S.A.) Cingkus Blues follows two unlikely characters Cing, an irritating blue cat with a British accent, and Kus, a cool Rastafarian Rat who are best of friends — most of the time.
- Soccer Bugs (Season 1: 26 x 11′ | Season 2: 26 x 11′) Produced by 3rd Rock Creation (U.S. S1) (U.S. S2) Follow the misadventures of a football team of bugs banding together to form the Mulu Riverplate Football Club deep in the jungles of Borneo.
- Saladin (Season 1: 26 x 26′ | Season 2: 26 x 26′) Produced by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) (U.S. S1) (U.S. S2) An action series, inspired by the life of medieval statesman and warrior Salah al-Din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub. The show follows the adventures of the young Saladin as a young man.
- Knowsy Nina Want to Know (52 x 5′) Produced by Avant Garde Studios | Knowsy Nina is about an inquisitive young girl who is curious about the way the things work. Her digital tablet, Mr.Voice is always on-hand to answer all Nina’s questions.
- Supertots (26 x 10′) Produced by Netcarbon (U.S.) A team of super powered toddlers roam the galaxy when their parents leave them at the daycare. They explore new planets, meet new alien friends and help their alien friends when they are in need of assistance, leaving holograms of themselves at the daycare.
HappyKids.tv, a free and safe kids’ entertainment AVOD launched by Future Today, has lined up a wide range of animated options for all age groups this June. HappyKids.tv has more than 75 million monthly active users across Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, LG TV, Vizio and other CTV devices and is reaching more than 22 million homes via Comcast Xfinity, iOS and Android devices.
Ages 0-2:
- Blippi – known for his bright orange-and-blue beanie, orange glasses and matching bowtie, Blippi loves helping kids learn about colors, shapes, numbers, and more.
- Little Baby Bum – a fun and educational show for kids featuring classic and new nursery rhymes and loved by babies and their parents all around the world.
- Mother Goose Club – breathes new life into classic nursery rhyme characters to promote early literacy, mathematics, and more! Join in as they dance, sing, twirl, and rhyme through these catchy songs that are as educational as they are fun.
- The Hippy Hoppy Show – this collection of popular learning songs for kids will keep your little ones engaged for hours on loop.
Ages 2-4:
- Cat in the Hat – a knowledgeable, adventurous, anthropomorphic cat. He loves to explore the world and act as Nick and Sally’s guide, and he frequently speaks in rhyming patterns reminiscent of the Dr. Seuss character on which he is based.
- My Little Pony – the adventures of a studious anthropomorphic unicorn pony named Twilight Sparkle as her mentor, Princess Celestia, guides her to learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville.
- Thomas and Friends – follow the famed blue engine as he travels the world, making new friends, exploring new cultures and unearthing new discoveries.
- The Oddbods – follow the adventures of seven creatures in colorful furry suits — Fuse, Pogo, Newt, Bubbles, Slick, Zee and Jeff — as they celebrate individuality in a humorous, warm and unexpected way.
- Teletubbies – come join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po as they take us on an adventure. Teletubbies is designed to help young children develop their physical, emotional and cognitive skills in a warm, loving, playful environment. It’s all about exploring, experimenting, experiencing and enjoying life.
Ages 4-6:
- Morple – watch as the energetic little red creature morphs into anything: a sweet puppy, a giant truck, a cool dinosaur or anything that Mila’s playful mind can imagine.
Boys 6-10:
- Bakugan Battle Brawlers – an animated series which follows the story of a boy named Dan and his group of friends, as they forge relationships with mysterious alien creatures known as Bakugan.
- Pokemon – Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
- Talking Tom and Friends – Armed with tech gear, awesome ideas, and an unfailing sense of humor, Talking Tom and Friends are on a mission to make their dreams come true. Although things never entirely turn out the way they plan, this incredible group is destined to warm hearts – and break a funny bone or two – along the way.
- The Garfield Show – Lazy, lasagna-loving fat cat Garfield lives life on his own terms, which includes teasing his geeky owner, Jon, and tormenting his dimwitted pal Odie.
- Transformers – Two opposing factions of transforming alien robots engage in a battle that has the fate of Earth in the balance.
- Teen Titans Go – Superhero roommates Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy love saving the day, but what happens when they’re done fighting crime?
Girls 6-10:
- Sabrina The Animated Series – animated spin off of the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The series is a prequel which features Sabrina as a pre-teen girl with small witch powers.
- Trollz – The story about five trollz that learn about The Magic of the Five, and only they can use it to fight evil and protect their beloved city.
- Winx Club – At Alfea College, fairy warriors from all over the universe study to improve their supernatural powers. Bloom from planet Earth joins them upon discovery of her magical ability.
Ages 10+: Twinkle Toes, Barney Google Kids Show, Beetle Bailey, Classic Popeye Kids Show, Krazy Kat, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros., Adventures of Paddington Bear, The New Adventures of Madeline, Inspector Gadget, Dino Squad, Batman Unlimited, DC Super Friends, Ruffus The Dog, Cody The Dinosaur, Heathcliff
