Nickelodeon Commits to KID-E-CATS Season 2
APC Kids, the children’s entertainment distribution company of boutique co-producer and distributor About Premium Content (APC), sold the second season of KID-E-CATS to Nickelodeon International. The new 52 five-minute animated episodes will air on Nick Jr.’s international channels that reach more than 170 countries including the UK, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, PALOP, France, Israel, Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, South Korea, Russia and CIS.
The series is based on an original Russian series produced by CTC Media and Studio Metrafilms and is the second-best performing preschool series in Russia. The third season is currently in production following a commission from CTC last year.
KID-E-CATS tells the story of three kittens: Cookie, Pudding and their kid sister Candy who are forever ready to jump into action with endless enthusiasm and energy. Their imagination also knows no bounds, and these kitties are capable of silly problem-solving suggestions.
Disney XD Picks Up Third Season of Beyblade Burst
Beyblade Burst Turbo returns to Disney XD with 51 all-new episodes debuting later this year. Further details will be released soon. Disney XD has licensed a third season of the animated Beyblade Burst series from New York City-based entertainment rights management company, Sunrights.
Beyblade Burst Turbo introduces the story of Aiger Akabane, a wild child who grew up surrounded by nature. Inspired by a chance Bey battle with World Champion Valt Aoi, Aiger sets his sights on becoming an invincible Blader with the help of his Turbo Bey, Z Achilles. Battling opponents and seeking strength, Aiger sets out to earn a chance to unseat Valt and claim the title of World Champion. Here begins Aiger’s tale of epic adventures and fierce battles on his way to the top.
Since the first Beyblade Burst season debuted on Disney XD in December 2016, Sunrights has actively expanded the show’s distribution around the world. Among the most recent deals include season one on Netflix, with a reach of 190 countries, as well as Mexico’s Televisa, and season two on France’s Gulli, Spain’s Boing, Germany’s Nickelodeon, Ukraine’s Plus Plus, the Netherlands’ RTL-BOZ, Belgium’s Kadet-Medialaan and Latin America’s Cartoon Network. Season two also airs on Disney XD in Canada, as well as Corus’ Télétoon, Australia’s 9Go!, and New Zealand’s TVNZ.
Sunrights also continues to work with Hasbro, Beyblade Burst’s master toy licensee, and licensing agents in key markets around the world to expand the brand’s product lines across most licensing categories.
Celebrity Stylist Rita Hazan Signs with The Brand Liaison
Rita Hazan, the top Hollywood stylist and “Hair Color Authority,” selected The Brand Liaison to lead the Rita Hazan licensing program. Building on hair care and hair coloring products currently found at retailers including Sephora and HSN, The Brand Liaison will expand the existing brand to include hair color, styling, and beauty products bringing her 5th Avenue salon into consumer’s homes.
Rita Hazan celebrity client list includes such stars as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Jessic Simpson, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Madonna.
TeamTO, Chinese Kids Co. Uyoung in 10-Year Content Deal
European kids entertainment studio TeamTO announced a five-series output deal, over 10 years, with Chinese kids co Uyoung. The partnership, which follows the recent acquisitions of TeamTO animated comedies Mighty Mike and My Knight & Me, will kick off with the co-production of the supergirl hero action show, Jade Armor.
Negotiated through its Beijing office, the agreement is a direct result of TeamTO’s strategy to expand into China by setting up a local office in 2016. Headed by international executive Shu Ye, TeamTO Beijing was established to develop partnerships with Chinese animation companies with the goal of co-producing premium content for global audiences.
The creation of the Beijing office followed the setup of an Los Angles office in 2011, and was most recently followed by the addition of Canadian kids exec Mary Bredin as creative development producer. As with the Los Angeles and Beijing offices, the collaboration with Bredin is part of TeamTO’s strategy to secure the broadest possible access for TeamTO and its pioneering content in all global markets.
The Ollie & Moon Show Gets UK Pick Up with Tiny Pop
Kids content distributor Federation Kids & Family and its sister production company Cottonwood Media sold its animated preschool series The Ollie & Moon Show (52 x 11) to Sony’s preschool platform Tiny Pop, in the UK.
Now in its second season, the show airs in almost all English speaking markets—Sprout (U.S.), Netflix (U.S., Canada), TVO and Knowledge (Canada)—and every major market in Europe (France TV, RTP, Panda, YLE), Asia (Uyoung), the Middle East (D-Kids) and Latin America (Discovery Latin America).
The series is based on the bestselling Ollie & Moon books created by Diane Kredensor. Kredensor, who serves as creative producer for The Ollie & Moon Show, is an Emmy Award-winning artist, director and producer whose credits include Pinky and the Brain and Clifford the Big Red Dog, among others. The show was developed in collaboration with Kredensor by Robert Vargas (Wonderpets, Henry Hugglemonster), and David Michel (Totally Spies!, Get Blake).
The Ollie & Moon Show is produced by Cottonwood Media and distributed by sister company Federation Kids & Family.