Endeavor Content

Mr. Men Little Miss is headed to TV, with multiple concepts currently in the works between the LA-based studio and the brand’s IP owner Sanrio.

The book brand—which has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide since its launch in 1971—was acquired by Sanrio in 2011. This isn’t the first content deal for the Mr. Men Little Miss characters, which have starred in a few shows over the years, including Renegade Animation’s The Mr. Men Show, which premiered on Cartoon Network in North America and Channel 5’s Milkshake block in 2008.  

The new deal is a part of Endeavor’s strategic plan to produce more content for kids, families and young adults, according to a release.

Nickelodeon UK

The kidsnet has inked a multi-year deal with The Luna Cinema to launch a large outdoor event featuring its brands. The Nickelodeon Experience will offer fun activities for preschoolers, including arts and crafts, a tunnel maze and games. And older kids ages seven and up can solve puzzles, walk the red carpet and get slimed. The first events will be held in spring 2022 in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going on sale this November.

Nickelodeon has also picked up Guru Studio’s 52 x 11-minute toon Big Blue to premiere in the UK this January. The 2D-animated adventure series stars two siblings steering a submarine through a magical ocean while trying to unravel the mysteries of the sea. Gyimah Gariba created Big Blue, which Canadian pubcaster CBC Kids originally ordered for a 2021 premiere—the broadcast date has not been announced yet. ABC Me (Australia), CTC Kids (Russia) and NRK (Norway) have also already picked it up.  

HBO Max LatAm

The streamer has acquired Cottonwood Media’s new live-action series Theodosia (pictured) for everywhere in LatAm except Brazil. The 26 x 30-minuter is about a 14-year-old who discovers an ancient artifact that gives her the magical powers she needs to battle evil and save the world. France Télévisions and French streamer Salto also picked up the series, which will premiere in 2022 on HBO Max in the US, Germany’s ZDF and Globo in Brazil. The new deals were inked by distributor Federation Kids and Family.

HBO Max LatAm has also bought 2D-animated preschool series Milo from Planeta Junior and Fourth Wall for its Cartoonito slot, along with Cartoon Network (LatAm), ABC Kids (Australia), SVT (Sweden) and YLE (Finland). Channel 5’s Milkshake! premiered the 52 x 11-minute educational show in May. Milo‘s titular character and friends use role-play to explore many different jobs, from doctor to postal worker. Spain’s Planeta Junior holds worldwide CP rights to the IP.

Coolabi

The prodco has inked a trio of deals with audio companies for its flagship brand Clangers. Audio company tonies will launch a new Clangers figurine that kids can put on the branded smart speaker to unlock content such as short stories and music. This partnership builds on similar deals tonies has in place with Sesame Workshop and Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Coolabi is also working with music therapy company Nordoff Robbins to launch a three x five-minute live-action/animated musical series called On Stage at Home Live. The preschool-skewing shorts feature live-action hosts paired with animated Clangers characters to sing, dance and teach kids how to be kind. The partners will host the first episode on Zoom on October 11, followed by two more releases on October 18 and 25. Coolabi first launched its On Stage at Home Live concept last year with a series six x five-minute videos that aired on Nordoff and its own YouTube channels.

Finally, the prodco has partnered with composer John du Prez (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) to release The Clangers Album, featuring 22 original tracks. Distributed by Ocean Music, the album is available to buy as a record, CD and digital download.

WildBrain CPLG

Bidaya Media has appointed the London-based licensing agent to represent Mansour in the Middle East and North Africa. Aimed at kids ages six to 12, the Arabic animated series stars a 12-year-old who learns about his culture while exploring the world. Cartoon Network Studios Arabia produced the 105 x 11-minute show with Yowza Digital and ICE Animations, and it ran from 2013 to 2019. Mansour is currently airing on UAE broadcaster OSN and the Mansour YouTube channel, which has more than two million subscribers.