Nickelodeon greenlit season two of Genius Brands’ animated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers (52 x 11’).
The series, which currently airs on Nick Jr., received a full order of 52 x 11-minute episodes.
“The kid’s preschool marketplace is extraordinarily competitive,” said Genius Brands Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward. “The greenlight of season two on Nick Jr. … is a definitive statement of the powerful viewer reaction to the property as a bona fide hit.”
“Rainbow Rangers showed strong appeal from the moment it went on air,” says Shelly Hirsch, CEO and founder of Beacon Media, the largest children’s media buying service in the U.S. “We believed it would be a hit, and believe it has a long future as a successful program and robust and successful line of consumer products.”
Supporting Consumer Products Program
Moreover, more than 350 SKUs from 20-plus manufacturers will head to retail this July in support. Toys, publishing, and apparel will anchor the program with Mattel, MacMillan Publishing, and Bentex, respectively. Additional key categories include games, party goods, costumes and roleplay, bedding and room décor, ride-ons, health and personal care, activity, consumer packaged goods. Gershwin Entertainment was also signed to produce a touring show.
Additional Growth Abroad
In addition to Nick Jr., Genius Brands is selling the Rainbow Rangers series internationally. Genius Brands recently opened an office in London to service this global demand.
In the key demographics of kids ages 2-5 and 6-11, Rainbow Rangers has retained its audience and grown across a variety of broadcast periods. Additionally, viewership shows Rainbow Rangers has appeal among girls and boys.
Heyward added, “This is only the beginning for Rainbow Rangers as we continue to build the brand globally both on-air and in-store with our retail program coming to market beginning in fall. We expect to see significant growth over the next two years with revenues beginning in Q4 of 2019. Revenues will come not only from the production of our animated series but also the rollout of products as well as merchandise licensing fees. Our library assets are growing substantially and will increase shareholder value.”
About the Show
Nickelodeon debuted season one of Rainbow Rangers on Nick Jr. on November 5, 2018. The series airs Monday through Friday in the afternoon, and on Sunday mornings.
Creators Rob Minkoff (Disney’s The Lion King director); Shane Morris (Disney’s Frozen co-writer); Tim Mansfield; and Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials), who is serving as head writer and co-creator, are already on board for season two. Disney alum Ruben Aquino (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and Frozen) will continue to create key designs. Michael Maliani will continue as director, and Genius Brands’ Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward will continue as executive producer.
Season two will pick up where season one leaves off: continuing to follow the rescue-based adventures of the seven female Earth’s first responders. The Rainbow Rangers, who live in the magical land of Kaleidoscopia at the other side of the rainbow, have their distinctive personalities and superpowers. Whenever there’s trouble for the people or animals of Earth, they ride their Spectra Scooters across the rainbow to save the day. Rainbow Rangers is about empowering girls to take action in their homes and neighborhoods to improve and safeguard the planet.