Category: Entertainment

Mattel, Inc has partnered with Samsung to deliver its first three 24/7 Free Ad Supported Streaming (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free TV streaming service. The Barbie and Friends, Hot Wheels Action, and Mattel Jr. channels are set to go live later this year and will be free to access from Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy Devices and on the Web at www.samsungtvplus.com. The three new channels from Mattel will feature content inspired by globally beloved brands such as American Girl, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, classic Monster High, Thomas & Friends, and more.

Just when you thought you had The Wiggles pegged, they are reinventing their music for a whole new audience with the release of their first full-blown EDM album: The Wiggles Soundsystem: Rave of Innocence. The album features fourteen EDM remixes of Wiggles classics, including earworms such as ‘Hot Potato’, ‘Fruit Salad’, ‘Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga’, Big Red Car,’ alongside a reworking of the group’s new viral hit, Bouncing Balls. It’s a vibrant celebration of joy, silliness, and pure fun!

Elf Labs, a cutting-edge transmedia company, has launched to pioneer immersive storytelling and IP distribution. Combining dynamic storylines featuring iconic characters reimagined, state-of-the-art compression, and AI-powered production and distribution technology, Elf Labs is set to transform the media industry with high-growth franchises targeting all demographics—toddlers to teens and YA to adults. To support these efforts, Elf Labs has secured top-tier talent and strategic partners, including Dreamworks alumnus Mike De Seve, branding industry titan Bernt Ullmann, and leading global technology company Cosmic Wire.

Cloudco Entertainment, the owner of the Care Bears franchise, is thrilled to announce six brand-new animated specials titled Care Bears: Unlock the Magic. Scheduled to debut throughout 2024, these specials will premiere on Warner Bros. Discovery’s outlets across EMEA on both Cartoonito and HBO Max / Max, as well as on Max in Latin America. Adding to the 50 episodes previously launched to great acclaim globally, these six (6) all-new Care Bears: Unlock the Magic animated specials have already begun their American roll-out, with future US “drop dates” continuing into November. While individual EMEA country launch dates will vary, both Cartoonito and HBO Max / Max in the EMEA are planning to begin their roll outs this summer.

ADK Emotions NY Inc and T-Licensing Inc have revealed that after a successful premiere in Asian territories in 2023, Beyblade X will showcase new animation and exclusive experiences for Beyblade fans globally in 2024. Hasbro Inc, a long-standing partner, will release Generation 4 products worldwide later this year. “This year, we’re especially thrilled to celebrate with the generations of fans, as we kick off our 25th anniversary. With the highly-anticipated U.S. launch of the Beyblade X animation series this summer, Bladers will be ready to battle like never before!” said a representative from ADK Emotions NY.

Benesse Corporation, the Japanese education services company and the name behind the enormously successful preschool educational correspondence course Kodomo Challenge – and its animated star Shimajiro – has announced that an episode of its long-running series Shimajiro: A World of WOW! has been honored at the 28th Asian Television Awards. The episode, Shimajiro: A World of WOW! – Biodiversity won the Best Preschool Program category.

Mattel, Inc has announced that their fan-favorite animated series Barbie: A Touch of Magic is returning for a second season. Premiering April 18 on Netflix, the 13 new episodes will follow Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts and Barbie “Malibu” Roberts as they take on a new, mysterious adventure. When a magical crystal gem goes missing, Barbie and Barbie are on the case! Balancing their teenage lives in Malibu and their trips to the magical realm of Mesmer, they encounter new fantastical friends throughout. With themes of family, friendship and fantasy, A Touch of Magic Season 2 is sure to enchant audiences globally.

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, released new resources today in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. These free resources in English and Spanish aim to help autistic children and their families build confidence and self-determination skills, while also fostering understanding and acceptance of autism among all children and adults. The new resources are part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. They add to the wealth of content for children, families, community providers, and educators, which includes books, videos, articles, and professional development tools.

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, launched a new public service announcement (PSA) video with the Ad Council for their “Love, Your Mind” campaign developed with Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The video features Elmo and his friends highlighting the benefits of humming for people’s overall emotional well-being.