BBC Studios
Commercial subsidiary BBC Studios is giving animated comedy Bluey a tech twist as part of its new licensing deal with VTech. Under the multi-territory agreement, VTech will launch electronic books, role-play watches and a phone in Q3 2022. Products will initially roll out in Australia and the US, followed by the UK, Canada and New Zealand.
Ludo Studio produces the preschool series for BBC Studios and Aussie pubcaster ABC. Disney has picked the show up, and will premiere its third season on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ worldwide (excluding Australia, New Zealand and China).
KIDZ BOP
The kid-friendly music brand is busting a move with The LEGO Group. Its talented young stars are featured in a promotional music video for the brickmaker’s new LEGO Vidiyo (pictured) app that launched on the KIDZ BOP YouTube channel today.
“U Can’t Touch This’ Dance Along with LEGO Vidiyo” will be available June 11 on LEGO’s app. The AR music video sees the KIDZ BOP crew singing and dancing along with visual effects created by the app, like flying llamas. The companies are also partnering on a sweepstakes offering one lucky fan the chance to appear in a KIDZ BOP music video; other winners will receive prize packs from LEGO and KIDZ BOP.
Genius Brands International
The LA-based prodco has appointed Hong Kong’s Never Wrong Toys as its global master toy partner for animated adventure series Rainbow Rangers. The companies will develop a range of preschool products together, including dolls, playsets, plush, vehicles, tech, role play and musical toys. The line will launch globally in Q1 2022, just in time for the show’s season-three premiere on Genius Brand’s Kartoon Channel! OTT platform.
The CG-animated series (58 x 11 minutes) is about seven girls who protect people and the earth from evil threats. Mattel’s Fisher-Price subsidiary was previously the brand’s master toy partner. Broadcasters including Nick Jr. (US), Netflix (international), HBO Max (LatAm) and CCTV (China) have aired the show in the past.
TVOKids
France’s Federation Kids and Family is getting into the groove, teaming up with Canadian pubcaster TVOKids and Toronto-based producer Sarah Haasz to distribute unscripted series Let’s Dance worldwide.
Each ep in this 39 x seven-minute live-action show filmed at the National Ballet School of Canada sees kids learn and perform a simple choreographed routine blending different dance styles (such as breakdancing and disco). Aimed at three- to eight-years-old, Let’s Dance was announced last year and will launch on TVO’s linear feed, website and YouTube channel in September.
TVOKids and Haasz’s new prodco Pillango Productions are co-producing the project.