Category: Entertainment

Following the recent launch of TELETOON+ as Canada’s leading, multi-platform streaming service for kids, Corus Entertainment has announced the rebranding of two of its linear kids’ television channels as it continues to evolve its offering of best-in-class kids content. Beginning March 27, TELETOON is set to become Cartoon Network, an iconic kids brand known worldwide for delivering the biggest and best in animation. Corus also introduces a new kids television channel in Canada by relaunching the current Cartoon Network channel as Boomerang. Debuting in the Canadian market for the first time, but bringing with it scores of fans worldwide, the Boomerang brand stands for the best in retro content, classic animation series and foundational kids programming.

After almost a quarter of a century in global kids and family entertainment space, Toonz Media Group has announced its entry into feature films with the launch of a new division which will be involved in a full spectrum of activities within the group, on its in-house created content, as well as titles from other partners and third party productions. The global kids and family entertainment major also named Mr. Ariel Veneziano, a veteran entertainment executive, as President Toonz’ feature film division. One of the leading professionals in international distribution, Ariel served as President of Icon Entertainment International where he oversaw sales of the most successful independent film of all time, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

Gold Valley Films will attend EFM 2023 in Berlin to showcase their latest original animation film, Little Emma, which was recently awarded the MPA Asia-Pacific Cooperation Special Award for best work-in-progress at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF). There are two screenings of the film’s first 50 minutes on the 16 and 18 of February. In addition to Little Emma, GVF will also be presenting at EFM Nils: The New Adventure, based on the novel by Selma Lagerlöf, the first women Nobel Prize winner in literature, and Wojtek The Bear, based on a true story, in Berlin.

Genius Brands International, Inc (NASDAQ: GNUS), through its Frederator Network subsidiary (a division of WOW! Unlimited Media), announced an exclusive content deal with BuzzFeed, a division of BuzzFeed, Inc (NASDAQ: BZFD), a premier digital media company for the most diverse, most online, and most socially engaged generation the world has ever seen. The deal provides Genius Brands’ Frederator Network the exclusive opportunity and first right to develop and produce longform series based on original digital properties created by the BuzzFeed Animation Lab. The first short-form content for series development by Frederator will be The Land of Boggs, a zany buddy comedy that currently boasts over10M followers. Other content under consideration for long-form development includes The Good Advice Cupcake, an aggressively optimistic pastry touting over 6M followers; the lowbrow sister comedy Weird Helga, with over 9M followers; and the adorable gender inclusive series, Chikn Nuggit, with over 7M followers.

Mattel, Inc has announced its relaunch of the iconic Barney franchise. Mattel’s comprehensive revitalization of the Barney brand will span television, film, and YouTube content as well as music and a full range of kids’ products including toys, books, clothing, and more. Apparel and accessories for adult fans, featuring classic Barney, are also in development.   Mattel will relaunch Barney to a new generation with a brand-new animated series, set…

Unicorn Entertainment Limited, Tencent Video, along with independent IP creators and distribution company Epic Story Media Inc (ESM) are bubbling-up to launch the newest 3D animated preschool series, Bubble’s Hotel. Created by Korean native, Narae Ha (Rainbow Ruby), and written by Vancouver-based showrunner, Nancy Lees (Slugterra), the show marks the first collaboration between the companies that was supported by Creative Wealth Media, a film and television financing company and partners with BRON Studios, who owns a minority share of ESM. 

Mainframe Studios is celebrating 30-years of making life more animated. The industry pioneer has grown into a global powerhouse of animation, producing both premium original content and world-class shows for many of the industry’s biggest names, including Mattel, Sony Pictures, Spin Master, Hasbro, DreamWorks, Netflix and YouTube. “With our 30-year track record of Mainframe Studios producing some of the most iconic animated properties, we approach every day like a startup – challenging ourselves to deliver new and exciting creative innovation to every project we undertake,” says Michael Hefferon, President/Chief Creative Officer at Mainframe Studios.