Warner Bros Discovery announced that it has picked up the new CG-animated series Barney’s World for Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and streaming on Max. The series, announced earlier this year as part of Mattel’s Barney franchise relaunch, will aptly be titled “Barney’s World” and will revamp the iconic character for modern audiences. Co-produced by Mattel Television and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, “Barney’s World” will debut globally in 2024.
Mattel, Inc announced an all-new animated adventure, Thomas & Friends: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain. Thomas & Friends: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain will stream globally on Netflix on Saturday, April 1. The special will first broadcast on Canada’s Treehouse TV on Sunday, April 2 (6:30 pm ET) and in the US, Cartoonito on Cartoon Network on Monday, April 3 (7:30 am ET). Tied to Autism Acceptance Month in April, the movie is the first Thomas & Friends special to feature Bruno the Brake Car, the iconic franchise’s newest friend, an autistic character who was introduced to fans in September 2022 as part of the popular Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go series.
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.
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…
Toshiverse Labs has announced the addition of two industry-leading firms to its roster of key consultants – ChizSix Marketing & Media, founded by industry veterans Harold and Jennifer Chizick, and AKCO, founded by ex Nelvana and Sutikki head Andrew Kerr. The pair will work to introduce Wooshi World to trade and consumer audiences throughout 2023.
Kidscreen, host of the global kids entertainment industry’s leading awards for excellence, is delighted to announce the shortlisted entries that are continuing in the competition through a final round of judging.
BBC Studios, distributor and licensor for the international preschool hit Bluey, is again adding to its growing list of licensing partners with inventive new products to meet strong consumer demand for more ways for kids to fully immerse themselves in the world of Bluey. The announcement comes in the lead up to the new Bluey giant character balloon debuting at the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Mattel, Incorporated announced that it has renewed Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, the highly successful animated series based on Thomas the Tank Engine, for two additional seasons. Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studios has begun co-production with Mattel Television on the two new seasons which are set to deliver in 2023. Building upon the emphatic reception to Season 26 and the introduction of the series’ first autistic character, Bruno the Brake Car, seasons 27 and 28 will continue to broaden the global viewership of the celebrated series and are comprised of 26 11-minute episodes; each series also includes its own 60-minute special.
Yeti Farm Creative, an artist-driven studio and one of Canada’s most robust animation pipelines, is making strategic moves to facilitate the company’s continued expansion and development of its own intellectual properties (IP) as well as its work as a sought-after service studio. The company has restructured its management team, with partner Jay Surridge as Chief Creative Officer, responsible for shepherding in a new production and development slate, and tapping Stephanie Marcott (formerly of Method Studios, Framestore, DNEG) as international recruiter to manage talent acquisition. Known for its proprietary 2D Sweet Tweets series along with its production of 2D animation hits Hotel Transylvania and Pete the Cat, Yeti Farm Creative has also recently moved its operations to a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology to better support its growing production needs.
