Category: Entertainment

The WNET Group announced the launch of The Plate Show, a new eight-part comedy podcast for children 6-9 years old and their families about cultures around the world and the foods that are important to them. The Plate Show is brought to listeners in partnership with public media organization PRX ––one of the world’s top podcast publishers and public radio distributors –– and premieres weekly on Tuesdays beginning October 31. The Plate Show will be available free on-demand at theplateshow.org and across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast and Pocket Casts.

Independent content creation, distribution and licensing company Epic Story Media Inc (ESM) and CBC Kids, the children’s programming division of Canada’s national public broadcaster, have confirmed a deal for “Hop”, the forthcoming new preschool comedy series from the creator of “Arthur”, Marc Brown. The series, produced by Epic Story Media and animated by Loomi Animation, was greenlit earlier this year by MAX with CBC Kids now joining as a commissioning broadcaster. Epic Story Media will be presenting the series and screening the first episode at MIPJUNIOR and MIPCOM.

Zoonicorn LLC and Toonz Entertainment have inked a new deal to greenlight season three of the popular preschool series, with 52×7 new episodes now in development. The global preschool property currently streams worldwide, with consumer products rolling out for Q4, 2023 and into 2024. Zoonicorn’s seven-minute episodes are produced by Toonz Entertainment and Zoonicorn LLC and distributed by Toonz Entertainment. Global licensing for the brand is shared by the two companies and headed by J’net Smith of All Art Licensing. With the new deal, Zoonicorn will have a total of 130 episodes available for global distribution.

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind decades of award-winning engaging educational media content, has announced Sesame Street’s 54th season will debut on Thursday, November 9 on Max. Episodes of the iconic children’s series, 35 in all, will release every Thursday. The season will stream on PBS KIDS in Fall 2024. “With so many unique stories to tell, Sesame Street will build upon last season’s joyful self and belonging content that resonated deeply with children and their families and will continue to do so by honoring, reflecting, and celebrating our diverse world,” said Sal Perez, Executive Producer, Sesame Street. “Season 54 will inspire children to be proud of who they are and connect with their community. At the core of the show, our furry and funny Sesame Street friends welcome children to play, laugh, and celebrate who they are with us.”

Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation is partnering with Films Grand Huit to co-produce “My Life in Versailles” (La Vie De Chateau), the upcoming 5 x 26’ animated series commissioned by France Télévisions for kids and families and sequel to the multi-awarded TV special of the same name. Xilam Animation will also handle international sales for both the original TV special and the series (total 6 x 26’) and will be presenting the project at MIPCOM 2023. Set to be delivered in summer 2024, “My Life in Versailles” was created by Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat (“Drops of God”, “In Therapy”, “Irresistible”) and Nathaniel H’Limi who will also both direct. The series will also be co-produced by Mélusine Productions (Luxembourg).

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, announces two new distribution partners for its new 3D animated original series Millie Magnificent (52×11) to Canal+ in France and Treehouse in Canada. With deliveries starting early 2024, the endearing preschool series will be prominently featured by Nelvana at MIPCOM this fall.  Kids Can Press, Corus Entertainment’s award-winning, internationally acclaimed children’s book publisher, has further expanded the Most Magnificent franchise with the new book The Most Magnificent Maker’s A to Z and the Make That Most Magnificent Thing board game, produced in collaboration with Fat Brain Toys, both launching this fall.

Animation powerhouse Guru Studio is pleased to announce that it has signed a new distribution agreement with Roku which will bring its comedy adventure series Big Blue to The Roku Channel Kids & Family in the U.S. in 2024. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Roku Channel to bring Big Blue to homes across the U.S.,” said Frank Falcone, President and Executive Creative Director at Guru Studio.  “This hilarious and heartwarming series is resonating with kids around the world, and we believe Roku is a fantastic home for the series launch in the US given its significant reach and influence in the market,” said Jennifer Oppenheimer, Guru Studio’s Manager of International Sales and Licensing. 

Hold onto your magnifying glasses and get ready to join the grooviest celebration of the year! Scoobtober is the annual month-long extravaganza and thrill ride through the world of Scooby-Doo, bringing fans a tidal wave of programming, products and events across all of Warner Bros. Discovery. Originally launched in the US, it is now a firm fixture in the seasonal calendar with an ever growing list of activations that include spooky social clips and crossovers, 48-hour Watch Party live stream of content with links to exclusive Scooby product from best-in-class partners such as Playmobil, Plastoys and Funko. In line with the growth of Halloween in Europe, Scoobtober is gaining momentum in the EMEA region, led in 2023 by the strongest ever slate of Scooby-Doo content programming for the initiative in this market.

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, released new resources to help young children learn the basic concepts that serve as a foundation for financial education. Created with generous support from PNC Foundation through PNC Grow Up Great, a nearly 20-year early childhood education initiative, the resources support early conversations around spending, sharing and saving money. Financial stability remains a top concern for families with young children and by supporting caregivers and educators in teaching foundational financial skills early, they can help prepare children to make sound financial decisions as they grow.