Playmates Toys has been granted the U.S. master toy license for BKN’s Monster Rancher. The popular program, which began as a Sony PlayStation title, has been licensed to more than 40 licensees in Japan. The show launched August 29 on BKN.

Saban Licensing has granted the Power Rangers video game license for all consoles to THQ through June 2004. The deal includes North and South America, Europe and other territories. The first game will launch worldwide in fall 2000.

Hallmark has garnered licensing rights to produce a line of greeting cards, paper partywear, Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, valentines, stickers, stationery, photo albums and magnets for Sirius Thinking/WGBH Boston co-pro Between the Lions. The licensed merch will be available in stores in the U.S. and Canada by spring 2001. The series debuts in April 2000 on PBS.

Uncle Milton Industries has entered into a licensing agreement with Discovery Channel to manufacture products for Discovery’s Exploration Toy Line. Milton products currently available in North American specialty stores include Ant Worlds ant farm, Planet Frog frog habitat, Star Planetarium, Mystery Orbiter toy gyroscope and Scope It Out microscope. Other licensed Uncle Milton products are expected by the end of 1999.

Bradford Licensing Associates has signed on to license syndie cartoon strip George. Created by Mark Szorady, the character is seen daily by readers of 1,500 papers in the U.S. Bradford is currently searching for licensees in categories like toys, games, mugs and cups.

Mattel’s Matchbox brand has signed an exclusive five-year licensing agreement with D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to create, manufacture and market D.A.R.E.-branded die-cast vehicles, chosen by children at the national D.A.R.E. Officers Conference. The first 12 children’s collectible vehicles will be available in fall 2000. A portion of the proceeds will be put aside for D.A.R.E. to support local community programs aiming to educate kids about the dangers of drugs and violence.