Hasbro, PBS, Nick Jr., Wildbrain

Hasbro appoints Stephen J. Davis to the newly created position of President, Hasbro Studios. The new LA-based studio will produce TV series based on Hasbro's brands, new branded content and produce programs from third party content creators. Davis will take up his new position in September. Many of the shows will run on the new yet to be named TV network created under a joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications, which is slated to launch in fall 2010, as well as on channels in international markets. Most recently, Davis was CEO, Family Entertainment Group. He also managed a development and production venture between Southern Star and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and previously served as President/Mobile and Online Media, InfoSpace, and prior to that he was President, Granada America. Davis is also a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of NATPE and also serves on other boards. Additionally, Davis also serves as a producer on Young Buc's, a teen-centric scripted pirates series in development at ABC Family, among other projects.

Nick Jr. UK commissions the animated preschool interstitial series Alphabet Romp from Purple Frog Media, per C21 Media. Each of the 26 interstitials will feature a different letter in poems and raps and the like. Foolhardy Films will produce the animation for the series, which is slated to debut later this year. Purple Frog retains all ancillary rights to the property.

PBS launches season 9 of Between the Lions on PBS Kids on Monday, September 21 (check local listings). The 9th season of Between the Lions includes 10 new episodes that will focus on topics including jobs and construction vehicles, wind and weather as well as seasons and celebrations. In addition to an animated special, other new elements of the new season include several new characters such as The Beetles, who offer a rendition of the book Beetle Bop, and the rap duo Hip-Hoppopotamus and Rhymosaurus, and a new band, Phlounder, Also joining the regular cast are dinos Velociraptor and Brachiosaurus, who demonstrate several strategies to help kids read difficult words.

Wildbrain teams with Jack in the Box to launch a Yo Gabba Gabba! and Jack's Kid's Meal promotion. Beginning this week Jack in the Box restaurants will offer one of five Yo Gabba Gabba finger puppets with the purchase of one of its Jack's Kid's Meals. In addition, Jack in the Box customers can go to www.jackskidstoys.com to receive free Yo Gabba Gabba! downloads and discounts on series related merchandise at Ty's Toy Box.