By Sadhana Bharanidharan and Andrea Hernandez
ACTF
The distributor has sold Disney+ the rights to air First Day (eight x 30 minutes, pictured) across Latin America and Brazil (dubbed in neutral Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, respectively). This live-action drama for ABC and Hulu, centered around the experiences of a transgender girl in high school, is a co-pro from South Australian studios Epic Films and Kojo Entertainment. Since its 2020 launch, the series has aired in 21 countries, including the US, Canada, Japan and South Africa.
Moonbug Entertainment
CoComelon and Blippi have hit the Mexican market, thanks to a distribution deal between the media company TelevisaUnivision and Moonbug Entertainment. Both shows premiered on TelevisaUnivision’s Canal 5 in Mexico on July 3. The deal includes 48 episodes of CoComelon and 12 eps of Blippi. (The partners had already signed a distribution deal in January to air Oddbods on the same channel.) Moonbug has been gaining popularity in Latin America with its IPs, and Moonbug is now focusing on Mexico after launching a Blippi spinoff called Juca in Brazil in January.
Konami
New York-based Konami Cross Media has secured four licensing agreements to bring a variety of collectibles to market based on the TCG franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! in 2023 and 2024. Konami has tapped Ohio-based Ripple Junction for branded apparel and accessories (US and Canada) and Polish lifestyle brand Displate for metallic wall art posters (worldwide, excluding Asia). LA’s Youtooz will launch meme-inspired Yu-Gi-Oh! figures (US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK), and KID’ABORD will roll out back-to-school products across French-speaking territories.
Tonies
On the heels of licensing DC superheroes from Warner Bros. Discovery, the British toyco is further expanding its catalogue with an iconic bunny. The company has launched a line of Tonieboxes based on Miffy in the US. Dutch artist Dick Bruna first introduced Miffy in a 1955 picture book, and today, the popular franchise includes more than 30 publishing titles (collectively selling 85 million copies worldwide), four TV series, a feature film and several consumer product programs.