By Ryan Tuchow and Sadhana Bharanidharan
Trustbridge Entertainment
Bob Higgins’ new division has teamed up with Spanish-language broadcaster Cisneros Kids to co-develop a live-action series (26 x 22 minutes) based on Meg Medina’s tween-skewing book trilogy about a Cuban-American middle-grader growing up in Miami. Lead book Merci Suarez Changes Gears was a New York Times bestseller and won the Newberry Medal in 2019.
CBC Kids
The Canadian pubcaster has renewed Lopii Productions’ Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend! (pictured) for a second season (20 x seven minutes) that will premiere in winter 2025. This docu-style show for preschoolers lets real kids give their pet friends a very special day (think photo shoots and basketball games). Lopii is currently wrapping up casting for the new season, which starts production in April.
DreamWorks
Universal Products & Experiences has inked a deal to bring Kung Fu Panda into IGG’s popular mobile game Castle Clash, which has racked up more than 100 million downloads since launching in 2013. DreamWorks created a range of unlockable characters, collectible items and emoticons to promote Kung Fu Panda 4‘s theatrical run. They will be featured in the game—which is all about building and defending medieval fortresses—until the end of March.
Media I.M.
Sunny Bunnies’ lead licensing agency and distributor has signed a three-year deal giving kids and family music label Magic Star (owned by The Orchard) the rights to distribute a package of audio content that includes 32 nursery rhyme songs from spinoff animated series Sunny Bunnies Sing Along. Media I.M. has also appointed IMC to rep the brand in South America, as well as extending its toy deal with Posh Paws in the UK by two years and adding a range of plush toys with sound and movement.
Rovio Entertainment
The Angry Birds brand is about to get three new interactive attractions, courtesy of Canadian playground equipment manufacturer iPlayCO. Plans for Attack on Pig City Ballistic Adventure, Protect Bird Village and Angry Birds Inflatable Bounce Park will be unveiled at this month’s DEAL trade show in Dubai, and they can be customized and installed at theme parks and other family-friendly destinations around the world.