TV

Canadian broadcaster TVOkids has commissioned Toronto-based prodco Bristow Global Media’s musical series Backyard Beats (pictured). Aimed at six- to nine-year-olds, the 26 x 11-minute show explores different musical genres and challenges kids to build their own instruments using household items. Slated to launch in 2020, it will also be available for streaming on TVOkids.com.

On top of the new commission, BGM is also partnering with BBC’s in-house children’s animation team to develop its first animated project Ricky Rocket. For sale on the international market, the show is for five- to seven-year-olds and follows the musical adventures of Ricky and his friends as they turn into superheroes. No details have been released on how many episodes will be in the series, or when it will be completed.

Italian kidsnet Cartoonito has picked up Beverly Hills-based producer/distributor Genius Brands International’s preschool series Rainbow Rangers. Dubbed in Italian for the network, the 52 x 11-minute animated series sees seven girls protect the earth’s natural beauty. Already airing on Nickelodeon, the kidsnet recently greenlit a second season, which is set to premiere on Nick Jr. in Q4.

NBCUniversal International Networks has signed a carriage deal with Taiwanese cable TV operator Kbro for its family channel DreamWorks. Available in English and Mandarin, content will include DreamWorks signatures like Dragons: Race to the Edge and Trolls: The Beat Goes On!.

Licensing

Universal Brand Development is expanding its licensing partnership with the LEGO Group to include DreamWorks’ animated Trolls franchise. Inspired by the upcoming feature film Trolls World Tour, slated to hit screens in April 2020, construction sets will be available worldwide next year.

London-based Rocket Licensing has signed new licensing deals for producer Beano Studio. The products, set to roll out in the UK, include limited edition artwork and comic books (Covell Publishing, Sleek Studios); a range of toys featuring pea shooters, whoopee cushions and mini water pistols (RMS International); bedding and textiles (Texco); craft kits launching in summer 2019 (Practical Publishing); and Beano character-branded meal boxes (KeCo).

Moscow-based prodco Animaccord has closed new CP deals for its animated series Masha and the Bear (75 x seven-minutes). New products will start rolling out this month in the US and Canada, including a series of English books (Phidal); a licensed book line in Spanish (Penguin Random House); costumes and accessories (Palamon); and party supplies such as branded plates, yard signs and candy (Shindigz).

France’s APC Kids, the distribution arm for APC Studios, has appointed Giochi Preziosi to distribute Kid-E-Cats toys in Italy. A new range is being developed by APC’s master toy partner Toy Plus for the Russia-based CTC and Studio Metrafilms preschool animated series (104 x five- minutes), set to launch in Q4.