Screen
The BBC has picked up UK broadcast rights to Belgium pubcaster VRT’s live-action preschool series Tik Tak. London-based distributor Serious Lunch brokered the deal, for the 104 x five-minute non-verbal show. Revolving around stimulating children’s perceptions by showing different colors, shapes and movements, Serious Lunch has previously sold the show to pubcasters YLE (Finland), NRK (Norway) and DR (Denmark).
Fremantle and Melbourne-based prodco 720 Content have snagged the screen rights to the children’s book series Billie B Brown. The two plan to adapt the IP into a kids TV show, and a documentary. Government org Film Victoria is providing funding for the companies to co-produce the adaptation of Australian writer Sally Rippin’s books. Rippin will be writing the new show, alongside comedy writers Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish. The book brand has sold more than five million copies in 14 languages internationally.
France TV Distribution is growing its distribution catalogue, picking up French studio’s Folimage and Les Armateurs new series Ana Pumpkin (52 x five minutes). The animated preschool fare follows the adventures of a five-year-old girl and her dog who explore the world together.
Jetpack Distribution has signed international broadcast deals for five live-action shows. DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), NPO (The Netherlands), ABC (Australia) and TVNZ (New Zealand) have acquired CBBC’s drama Katy about a young daredevil in a big family. The London-based broadcaster also signed deals with SVOD Globoplay (Brazil) and HOT (Israel) for dystopian sci-fi feature film The Cul de Sac, and Globoplay also picked up coming-of-age movie The Hose of Seahorse Bay. Salt Media Entertainment (Singapore) has added seasons one and two of preschool puppet series The Moe Show to its lineup, while TVNZ (New Zealand) will broadcast season three of the show. Etisalat (EMEA) acquired preschool toddler-focused series The Baby Club.
Barcelona prodco Planeta Junior has picked up Pukeko Picture’s and Hengxin Shambala Kids’ CGI-animated series Kiddets to distribute it in Europe. Under the deal, Planeta Junior will be responsible for TV distribution and licensing in Europe, Russia and various parts of the Middle East. The 52 x 11-minute series tracks kids who are on a quest to learn and play.
Licensing
Guru Studio, the Toronto-based producer behind True and the Rainbow Kingdom, has appointed New York-based Licensing Street as an agent for its new preschool series Pikwik Pack (pictured). Licensing Street will represent the brand in the US across all CP categories, including apparel, accessories, games and live events. The upcoming 2D-animated series is set to air on Disney Junior in the US beginning Q1 2021. The 52 x 11-minute series is an adventure comedy series about a group of animals who delivery magical packages to the citizens of Pikwik.
Haven Global has tapped London’s WildBrain CPLG as its licensing agent to represent popular YouTube kidfluencers Vlad and Niki in EMEA and Russia. The licensing agent will work with Haven to build an extensive consumer products program, covering all merchandise categories and promotion. Vlad and Niki (42.3 million subscribers) are two young brothers who test toys, sing songs and engage in a variety of play patterns.
The UK’s Rocket Licensing has signed a deal with CBeebies to build a CP program for the kidcaster’s new stop-motion animated series Kiri and Lou. Rocket will manage licensing rights in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on partnering with licensees to make toys, stationary, apparel, educational tools, and digital products. CBeebies premiered the preschool show about two creatures who learn about empathy and kindness in the UK in April. London distributor CAKE handles all international TV distribution for the series.
Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Brands have secured new deals with apparel licensees for Fred Rogers’ PBS KIDS preschool series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. New partners to hop on the brand include Children’s Apparel Network (tees, outerwear), Hybrid (hoodies), Peejamas (absorbent training pajamas and underwear), Steel City Apparel, and Zappos (apparel). The preschool series (105 x 22 minutes) revolves around Daniel Tiger who learns and grows alongside his friends and family in every episode.