CBeebies gives its preschool line-up a refresh for spring 2010. Beginning Tuesday, April 6, Driver Dan's Storytrain and 64 Zoo Lane are joining In The Night Garden as part of the Bedtime Hour programming line-up.
The Bedtime Story remains as the final programming of the day. Waybuloo will run weekday mornings and afternoons on CBeebies and BBC Two, and on weekends on CBeebies.
Additionally, on three consecutive Mondays this April CBeebies will launch the new live-action music series ZingZillas on April 5 at 8a, followed by the new series Bob The Builder: Ready! Steady! Build on April 12, and Big Barn Farm from April 19.
RDF Rights signs further program sales for the kid-aimed arts and crafts series Mister Maker. Acquiring all three seasons of Mister Maker are CITI Channel (Ukraine), Ecuavisa (Ecuador) and Al Jazeera Children's Channel (Middle East).
Additionally, picking up seasons 2 and 3 of the series are ABC Australia and Hop! (Israel), while NTV7 (Malaysia) and Medicorp TV12 (Singapore) take seas 1 and 2.
BBC Kids commissioned a fourth season, entitled Mister Maker Comes to Town (20x20), that will see Mister Maker make his way to towns across the UK in the Makermobile. RDFR holds worldwide rights in all media for the property.
9 Story Entertainment has wrapped production on a second season of its adventure series Survive This (13 episodes). Hosted by Les Stroud, 9 Story will debut the new season kid/tween-targeted series, which features eight new teen 14-17-year-old contestants, next month at MIPTV 2010. YTV (Canada) plans to debut the second season of Survive This on April 19, 2010.
Corus Entertainment, which already manages on-air sales for Teletoon's (Canada) English-languages TV services, adds representation of Teletoon's kid/youth-targeted English interactive sales for the online brands, teletoon.com ( www.teletoon.com ), teletoonretro.com ( www.teletoonretro.com ) and teletoonatnight.com ( www.teletoonatnight.com ).
Corus' VP/Digital Media, Tim Cormick, will manage Teletoon's English interactive sales. Corus' youth-focused portfolio of websites represented by Corus' interactive sales team include Corus' YTV.com, Treehousetv.com, nickcanada.com, as well as representing Nick.com and Nickjr.com in Canada.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
FTC To Consider New Restrictions On Collecting Data From Children
Wendy Davis, Mar 24, 2010 08:12 PM
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it's seeking input from the public about whether to broaden regulations aimed at preserving children's privacy online.
The last time the FTC issued regulations regarding the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act was in 2000. The commission said it's now considering revamping the regulations due to "changes to the online environment ... including children's increasing use of mobile technology to access the Internet."
The 12-year-old Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits companies from collecting personal information from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the FTC specifically asks how the regulations regarding that law should apply to new platforms, including mobile, interactive TV and interactive gaming.
The commission also says it's considering whether the definition of "personal information" should be expanded to include "persistent IP addresses, mobile geolocation information or information collected in connection with online behavioral advertising."
That language is yet another sign that the FTC is concerned that even supposedly non-personally identifiable information -- that is, data other than name, address, phone numbers, etc. -- could be used to identify specific users. Last year, the FTC said in suggested guidelines for behavioral targeting that clickstream data potentially could be tied back to particular users.
Privacy advocate Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, says he supports a ban on the use of behavioral targeting techniques on commercial sites geared toward children. "The agency must bring its regulations on COPPA up to date, including specifically prohibiting the use of cookies and other techniques that track, profile and target kids on children's commercial sites," he said.
Chester also said that advocates have asked the FTC to specifically address efforts to collect data from TV viewers.
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it's seeking input from the public about whether to broaden regulations aimed at preserving children's privacy online.
The last time the FTC issued regulations regarding the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act was in 2000. The commission said it's now considering revamping the regulations due to "changes to the online environment ... including children's increasing use of mobile technology to access the Internet."
The 12-year-old Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits companies from collecting personal information from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the FTC specifically asks how the regulations regarding that law should apply to new platforms, including mobile, interactive TV and interactive gaming.
The commission also says it's considering whether the definition of "personal information" should be expanded to include "persistent IP addresses, mobile geolocation information or information collected in connection with online behavioral advertising."
That language is yet another sign that the FTC is concerned that even supposedly non-personally identifiable information -- that is, data other than name, address, phone numbers, etc. -- could be used to identify specific users. Last year, the FTC said in suggested guidelines for behavioral targeting that clickstream data potentially could be tied back to particular users.
Privacy advocate Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, says he supports a ban on the use of behavioral targeting techniques on commercial sites geared toward children. "The agency must bring its regulations on COPPA up to date, including specifically prohibiting the use of cookies and other techniques that track, profile and target kids on children's commercial sites," he said.
Chester also said that advocates have asked the FTC to specifically address efforts to collect data from TV viewers.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PBS Business and Daisy Whitney's upfront report
PBS Kids names Happy Kid Toy Group as its master toy licensee to launch a new line of preschool-targeted educational toys. Under the multi-year licensing deal the new PBS Kids toy line will debut in 2011 at a range of retailers (e.g. including specialty stores, catalogue, internet, department stores and major mass retailers). The line will feature craft and activity sets, science sets and role-play games and will be packaged with information for about play ideas for parents/caregivers interaction. PBS will invest the revenue earned from the project into the creation of the next generation of educational content for kids. Additionally, PBS Kids and Happy Kid Toy Group worked with Big Boing to help create an educational experience that delivers on the PBS KIDS promise through toys.
Kids Upfront 2010: Networks, Agencies Cautiously Optimistic
By Daisy Whitney
Advertisers, agencies and networks are holding their breath for budgets to come in for the kids upfront. Why? Because the kids business usually unfolds first and could set the tone for the big ad selling season that's about to begin.
Everyone in the business wants to know the same thing will ad dollars be up over last year?
That's the looming unknown. But kids networks have reason to be cautiously optimistic as their upfront selling season begins. The big kids networks have seen double digit ad spending increases in the fourth quarter and into the first quarter as well, giving them hope that the upfront season may lift over last year's bleak one. Plus, one of the stalwart categories in the kids market family movies has enjoyed a terrific year and studios will likely spend more money this year, buoying the kids market.
Still, the market may be complicated this year by the coming addition of new players. Later this year, Discovery is expected to launch "The Hub" to 60 million homes in place of Discovery Kids. That network is a joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro. The ownership of the company presents unanswered questions for the industry such as how much Hasbro advertising will run on the channel and whether Hasbro will still spend as much on other networks. Discovery is keeping quiet on those specifics for now and doesn't plan on holding an upfront presentation, but will start individual meetings with advertisers and agencies in the near future, the network said.
However, ad buyers and kids networks say they aren't expecting the presence of new entrants to impact the upfront much. What's more, toys should remain a strong category for everyone, experts say.
While the market probably won't move in earnest for at least several more weeks, Disney and Nickelodeon have already presented their new programming slates to advertisers and Cartoon will take its turn next month. The early deals they're able to strike could set a tone for the rest of networks that follow.
Advertising Begins Rebound
"We started to see positive signs in the kids category back in October," said Jim Perry, executive VP of 360 brand sales at Nickelodeon. "That seemed to be a turning point when we started to see more movie studios and toy companies up their scatter spending." The network finished the fourth quarter of 2009 up 20% in scatter spending. Growth has continued into the first quarter, he said.
Though Disney Channel doesn't write scatter deals, revenue was up in double digits year to year for the fourth quarter, said Michelle Scarola, senior VP TV ad sales at Disney Media Sales and Marketing.
The fourth quarter is the true litmus test for the kids market since that's the time when advertisers want to tout their new goods and when parents spend the most money on kids. The strength in the toy and movie categories during the fourth quarter and on onto this year has been coupled with new spending from non-endemic kids advertisers. Dell, Hewlett Packard and Kodak have started to market printers and computers on kids networks, Perry said.
Still, the memory of the recession is far too fresh for networks or agencies to make bold predictions on spending. While kids networks enjoyed a strong holiday ad season, the circumspect nature of the recovery may keep spending tepid for some time. "The economy has stabilized but I wouldn't suggest it's back to where it was two years ago," said Jackie Kulesza, senior VP video activation director at Starcom. Plus there are ongoing regulatory issues surrounding kids advertising, she added. "There are a lot of factors that play into kids marketplace. There are discussions outside of our advertising world in Washington about this space and it continues to be a concern from a regulatory perspective. This administration might be bringing a different tone," she said.
Another ongoing challenge in the kids market is pricing. Demand is so strong for holiday buys, but advertisers and networks need to work out the right pricing for pre-holiday ad buys, she said. "It's a challenge for us and the vendors to figure out the demand in other times of the year," Kulesza said.
In terms of timing, she suspects the kids market will likely start to move closer to the adult market. "The kids upfront usually moves commensurate with the regular upfront," added John O'Hara, executive VP and general sales manager of Cartoon Network.
However, when the selling actually begins is anyone's guess and the kids market has the potential to move earlier.
O'Hara expects the market should rise in the toy, quick service restaurant and entertainment categories. "The toy business had a better fourth quarter than was anticipated so there's reason to believe that will sustain and movies are strong as well. The marketplace went through a lot last year and I am confident there will be growth in spending that will reflect the stronger demand," he said. "We will see a different demand scenario that will lead to stronger pricing in the marketplace versus last year."
Also, some deal-making will happen sooner and that's because multiplatform buys are critical to reaching kids who are so facile with digital viewing. Those deals take longer to put together so they occur year round, Scarola said.
New and Returning Shows
During its presentation, Disney focused on original movies and series as well as its hit animated show "Phineas and Ferb," which launched two years ago and has been a ratings juggernaut that attracts both boys and girls.
Meanwhile, Nickelodeon touted its sixteen returning shows and five new shows, including a live action series headlined by rising teen star Victoria Justice. Perry said the first quarter is on pace to be the most watched quarter in the network's 30-year history.
During its presentation next month, look for Cartoon to focus on its scripted live-action drama series, such as "Unnatural History" and "Tower Prep," and to continue to build on the success of its "Ben 10" franchise. The series has posted double digit ratings gains in kid demos in the fourth quarter, Cartoon Network said.
Other Players
In addition to the three networks, 4Kids Entertainment is another sizable player with its five-hour programming block on the CW. 4Kids will be presenting to agencies and clients over the coming weeks, focusing on its reach via broadcast, said Dan Barnathan, president 4Kids entertainment ad sales, marketing and promotion.
The other broadcasters will also play a role in the kids upfront via their Saturday morning kids lineups. That includes NBC's Saturday morning block programmed by Qubo, CBS's "Cookie Jar," and the kids block on ABC programmed via Disney. Fox no longer programs kids showing on Saturday mornings, due to competition from cable.
SyFy is also developing a kids programming block, but has not announced details or a timeframe.
Starcom's Kulesza also pointed out that marketers are also spending money in digital venues entirely separate from the upfront. "Certainly money will get more spread out as kids use media differently and use digital properties," she said.
Kids Upfront 2010: Networks, Agencies Cautiously Optimistic
By Daisy Whitney
Advertisers, agencies and networks are holding their breath for budgets to come in for the kids upfront. Why? Because the kids business usually unfolds first and could set the tone for the big ad selling season that's about to begin.
Everyone in the business wants to know the same thing will ad dollars be up over last year?
That's the looming unknown. But kids networks have reason to be cautiously optimistic as their upfront selling season begins. The big kids networks have seen double digit ad spending increases in the fourth quarter and into the first quarter as well, giving them hope that the upfront season may lift over last year's bleak one. Plus, one of the stalwart categories in the kids market family movies has enjoyed a terrific year and studios will likely spend more money this year, buoying the kids market.
Still, the market may be complicated this year by the coming addition of new players. Later this year, Discovery is expected to launch "The Hub" to 60 million homes in place of Discovery Kids. That network is a joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro. The ownership of the company presents unanswered questions for the industry such as how much Hasbro advertising will run on the channel and whether Hasbro will still spend as much on other networks. Discovery is keeping quiet on those specifics for now and doesn't plan on holding an upfront presentation, but will start individual meetings with advertisers and agencies in the near future, the network said.
However, ad buyers and kids networks say they aren't expecting the presence of new entrants to impact the upfront much. What's more, toys should remain a strong category for everyone, experts say.
While the market probably won't move in earnest for at least several more weeks, Disney and Nickelodeon have already presented their new programming slates to advertisers and Cartoon will take its turn next month. The early deals they're able to strike could set a tone for the rest of networks that follow.
Advertising Begins Rebound
"We started to see positive signs in the kids category back in October," said Jim Perry, executive VP of 360 brand sales at Nickelodeon. "That seemed to be a turning point when we started to see more movie studios and toy companies up their scatter spending." The network finished the fourth quarter of 2009 up 20% in scatter spending. Growth has continued into the first quarter, he said.
Though Disney Channel doesn't write scatter deals, revenue was up in double digits year to year for the fourth quarter, said Michelle Scarola, senior VP TV ad sales at Disney Media Sales and Marketing.
The fourth quarter is the true litmus test for the kids market since that's the time when advertisers want to tout their new goods and when parents spend the most money on kids. The strength in the toy and movie categories during the fourth quarter and on onto this year has been coupled with new spending from non-endemic kids advertisers. Dell, Hewlett Packard and Kodak have started to market printers and computers on kids networks, Perry said.
Still, the memory of the recession is far too fresh for networks or agencies to make bold predictions on spending. While kids networks enjoyed a strong holiday ad season, the circumspect nature of the recovery may keep spending tepid for some time. "The economy has stabilized but I wouldn't suggest it's back to where it was two years ago," said Jackie Kulesza, senior VP video activation director at Starcom. Plus there are ongoing regulatory issues surrounding kids advertising, she added. "There are a lot of factors that play into kids marketplace. There are discussions outside of our advertising world in Washington about this space and it continues to be a concern from a regulatory perspective. This administration might be bringing a different tone," she said.
Another ongoing challenge in the kids market is pricing. Demand is so strong for holiday buys, but advertisers and networks need to work out the right pricing for pre-holiday ad buys, she said. "It's a challenge for us and the vendors to figure out the demand in other times of the year," Kulesza said.
In terms of timing, she suspects the kids market will likely start to move closer to the adult market. "The kids upfront usually moves commensurate with the regular upfront," added John O'Hara, executive VP and general sales manager of Cartoon Network.
However, when the selling actually begins is anyone's guess and the kids market has the potential to move earlier.
O'Hara expects the market should rise in the toy, quick service restaurant and entertainment categories. "The toy business had a better fourth quarter than was anticipated so there's reason to believe that will sustain and movies are strong as well. The marketplace went through a lot last year and I am confident there will be growth in spending that will reflect the stronger demand," he said. "We will see a different demand scenario that will lead to stronger pricing in the marketplace versus last year."
Also, some deal-making will happen sooner and that's because multiplatform buys are critical to reaching kids who are so facile with digital viewing. Those deals take longer to put together so they occur year round, Scarola said.
New and Returning Shows
During its presentation, Disney focused on original movies and series as well as its hit animated show "Phineas and Ferb," which launched two years ago and has been a ratings juggernaut that attracts both boys and girls.
Meanwhile, Nickelodeon touted its sixteen returning shows and five new shows, including a live action series headlined by rising teen star Victoria Justice. Perry said the first quarter is on pace to be the most watched quarter in the network's 30-year history.
During its presentation next month, look for Cartoon to focus on its scripted live-action drama series, such as "Unnatural History" and "Tower Prep," and to continue to build on the success of its "Ben 10" franchise. The series has posted double digit ratings gains in kid demos in the fourth quarter, Cartoon Network said.
Other Players
In addition to the three networks, 4Kids Entertainment is another sizable player with its five-hour programming block on the CW. 4Kids will be presenting to agencies and clients over the coming weeks, focusing on its reach via broadcast, said Dan Barnathan, president 4Kids entertainment ad sales, marketing and promotion.
The other broadcasters will also play a role in the kids upfront via their Saturday morning kids lineups. That includes NBC's Saturday morning block programmed by Qubo, CBS's "Cookie Jar," and the kids block on ABC programmed via Disney. Fox no longer programs kids showing on Saturday mornings, due to competition from cable.
SyFy is also developing a kids programming block, but has not announced details or a timeframe.
Starcom's Kulesza also pointed out that marketers are also spending money in digital venues entirely separate from the upfront. "Certainly money will get more spread out as kids use media differently and use digital properties," she said.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Reading Rainbow, BBC Children, PBSKids, Sprout
Reading Rainbow plotting a return? In a tweet last week actor LaVar Burton, the host of the series for its full 23-year run, said, "You heard it here first ... Reading Rainbow 2.0 is in th[e] works! Stay tuned for more info.
But, you don't have to ...", per Huffington Post. Reading Rainbow, which both educated kids about reading, spotlighted books, provided kid reviews and encouraged kids to read for (dare I say) fun, ran on PBS 1983- 2006. For lots of folks, even those that don't recall the series clearly, the theme song remains in their heads ...
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow
Sprout, the 24/7 multi-platform preschool service, and Decode Enterprises, the distribution arm of DHX Media, announce the exclusive US debut of dirtgirlworld, a green living series for preschoolers that aims to get kids up, outside, active and to "go get grubby" with the dirtgirl and her equally eco-interested friends.
Sprout's Dig Into Earth Day with dirtgirlworld marathon will feature several episodes of the series and air on Sprout on TV from 12p-3p on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Following its debut, dirtgirlworld will air on Sprout daily at 4:50p.
Games, crafts and environment friendly tips for parents of preschoolers will be available on SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ). Created by writer/producer Cate McQuillen and composer/writer Hewey Eustace in northern New South Wales, Australia, the music-centric dirtgirlworld series features a mix of live-action and animation with photomontage and illustration. dirtgirlworld also airs on CBeebies (UK), CBC (Canada) and ABC (Australia).
PBS Kids will host its annual Share the Earth Day, featuring eco/science/outdoor-themed episodes of 15 series, on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (check local listings).
The goal of the programming event, which includes episodes of Curious George, Sesame Street and Super Why!, The Electric Company and Cyberchase, is to encourage kids to learn about the earth and explore earth sciences on a daily basis.
On the digital front, PBSKidsGo.org/video ( www.pbskidsgo.org/video ) will feature the online premiere of WordGirl's Earth Day Girl episode, as well as a themed channel of Earth Day episodes. From this week, PBSKidsGo.org will launch new content on EekoWorld, an interactive website that introduces kids to the basics of ecosystems, conservation and pollution, and on April 5th, PBSKidsSGo.org/designsquad/contest will feature the launch of the 2010 Trash to Treasure competition which challenges kids to recycle, reuse and reengineer everyday items into new inventions.
PBSKids.org ( www.pbskids.org ) will offer 20+ environment and nature games, as well as an Earth Day specific playlist at PBSKIDS.org/video. Additionally, PBSParents.org
( www.pbsparents.org ) will showcase eco friendly crafts and kid party ideas, and host an as the expert Q&A with Kimberly Brenneman, education advisor on Sid The Science Kid. PBSTeachers.org ( www.pbsteachers.org ) will host a webinar on April 5, titled Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
BBC Children's new Director, Joe Godwin, unveils the new CBeebies spring/fall 2010 programming line up. Included in the new lineup are:
Zingzilla - a music-based series developed and produced in-house by CBeebies Productions;
Mighty Mites a new series hosted by Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which encourages kids to get up and get moving in various activities, each episode two kids go on an adventure to try an activity for the first time;
Mister Maker Comes To Town Mister Maker returns with a new series as he takes his arts and crafts on the road to get kids involved in art projects at home; Let's Celebrate celebrates the different religious and cultural festivals around the UK and meeting kids and families as the prepare for the celebrations;
The Octonauts debuting later this year the series features a group of underwater adventure heroes as they set out to rescue sea animals and explore underwater worlds, the series is based on the books by Meomi;
Same Smile host Nisha Anil bicycles across the UK with her three cuddly pandas to visit kids and discover our similarities and differences, the series is a collaboration with BBC teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London;
Everything's Rosie the CG animated series about Rosie, "a 21st century ragdoll" that lives in a playhouse and sets out on adventures with her pals during which they learn about life and friendship;
Timmy Time Timmy and his pals head out on a new set of barnyard exploits;
Tinga Tinga Tales the series returns with new stories about animals based on African folk tales and the Tingatinga art of Tanzania.
But, you don't have to ...", per Huffington Post. Reading Rainbow, which both educated kids about reading, spotlighted books, provided kid reviews and encouraged kids to read for (dare I say) fun, ran on PBS 1983- 2006. For lots of folks, even those that don't recall the series clearly, the theme song remains in their heads ...
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow
Sprout, the 24/7 multi-platform preschool service, and Decode Enterprises, the distribution arm of DHX Media, announce the exclusive US debut of dirtgirlworld, a green living series for preschoolers that aims to get kids up, outside, active and to "go get grubby" with the dirtgirl and her equally eco-interested friends.
Sprout's Dig Into Earth Day with dirtgirlworld marathon will feature several episodes of the series and air on Sprout on TV from 12p-3p on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Following its debut, dirtgirlworld will air on Sprout daily at 4:50p.
Games, crafts and environment friendly tips for parents of preschoolers will be available on SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ). Created by writer/producer Cate McQuillen and composer/writer Hewey Eustace in northern New South Wales, Australia, the music-centric dirtgirlworld series features a mix of live-action and animation with photomontage and illustration. dirtgirlworld also airs on CBeebies (UK), CBC (Canada) and ABC (Australia).
PBS Kids will host its annual Share the Earth Day, featuring eco/science/outdoor-themed episodes of 15 series, on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (check local listings).
The goal of the programming event, which includes episodes of Curious George, Sesame Street and Super Why!, The Electric Company and Cyberchase, is to encourage kids to learn about the earth and explore earth sciences on a daily basis.
On the digital front, PBSKidsGo.org/video ( www.pbskidsgo.org/video ) will feature the online premiere of WordGirl's Earth Day Girl episode, as well as a themed channel of Earth Day episodes. From this week, PBSKidsGo.org will launch new content on EekoWorld, an interactive website that introduces kids to the basics of ecosystems, conservation and pollution, and on April 5th, PBSKidsSGo.org/designsquad/contest will feature the launch of the 2010 Trash to Treasure competition which challenges kids to recycle, reuse and reengineer everyday items into new inventions.
PBSKids.org ( www.pbskids.org ) will offer 20+ environment and nature games, as well as an Earth Day specific playlist at PBSKIDS.org/video. Additionally, PBSParents.org
( www.pbsparents.org ) will showcase eco friendly crafts and kid party ideas, and host an as the expert Q&A with Kimberly Brenneman, education advisor on Sid The Science Kid. PBSTeachers.org ( www.pbsteachers.org ) will host a webinar on April 5, titled Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
BBC Children's new Director, Joe Godwin, unveils the new CBeebies spring/fall 2010 programming line up. Included in the new lineup are:
Zingzilla - a music-based series developed and produced in-house by CBeebies Productions;
Mighty Mites a new series hosted by Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which encourages kids to get up and get moving in various activities, each episode two kids go on an adventure to try an activity for the first time;
Mister Maker Comes To Town Mister Maker returns with a new series as he takes his arts and crafts on the road to get kids involved in art projects at home; Let's Celebrate celebrates the different religious and cultural festivals around the UK and meeting kids and families as the prepare for the celebrations;
The Octonauts debuting later this year the series features a group of underwater adventure heroes as they set out to rescue sea animals and explore underwater worlds, the series is based on the books by Meomi;
Same Smile host Nisha Anil bicycles across the UK with her three cuddly pandas to visit kids and discover our similarities and differences, the series is a collaboration with BBC teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London;
Everything's Rosie the CG animated series about Rosie, "a 21st century ragdoll" that lives in a playhouse and sets out on adventures with her pals during which they learn about life and friendship;
Timmy Time Timmy and his pals head out on a new set of barnyard exploits;
Tinga Tinga Tales the series returns with new stories about animals based on African folk tales and the Tingatinga art of Tanzania.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Star Wars for preschoolers, My Friend Boo, Tangerine & Cow
George Lucas is working on a new Star Wars animated series and this one is for preschoolers and kindergarteners, per IESB. No really it isn't April 1 just yet.
Lucas and the folks at Skywalker Ranch are in pre-production on a series based on the Star Wars: Galactic Heroes, a line of Star Wars toys aimed at younger kids.
The series is reportedly operating under the working title Squishies, and there is a director on board. While Cartoon Network has had great success with the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, there is no word about a network deal.
My Friend Boo is a new preschool-aimed animated series that focuses on environmental issues, in an age appropriate way, such as water conservation and climate control.
Supported by the European Commission's fund for the environment, the series is produced by illustrator/animator/author Curtis Jobling (production designer on Bob the Builder, author/illustrator Frankenstein's Cat) and debuted in five European countries last week.
The series will be available in 11 languages across Europe from June. My Friend Boo will also be available in schools, social clubs and via other European organizations, such as Europe Region of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Each episode is accompanied by free downloadable education packs for teachers/schools. The series follows a group of young kids and their magical dog Boo, who takes them on environmental-centric adventures.
Imira Entertainment completes sales of the Normaal Animation produced 2D animated comedy Tangerine & Cow (78x7), just ahead of MIPTV. Z@pp (The Netherlands) acquires the public free TV rights for the series, with Cartoon Network taking the pay TV rights for Spain and TV Catalunya (Catalunya) the free TV rights.
Additionally, RTP (Portugal) and Channel 5 (Lithuania) also picked up the series, while Al Sayyar (Middle East) takes the TV and home entertainment rights.
Further home entertainment and licensing deals have been signed with Kids Planet (Netherlands and Belgium), and Pourquoi Pas (France). Based on Jacques Azam's comic book Chico Mandarine, Tangerine and Cow is a co-production of Imira and Normaal.
Lucas and the folks at Skywalker Ranch are in pre-production on a series based on the Star Wars: Galactic Heroes, a line of Star Wars toys aimed at younger kids.
The series is reportedly operating under the working title Squishies, and there is a director on board. While Cartoon Network has had great success with the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, there is no word about a network deal.
My Friend Boo is a new preschool-aimed animated series that focuses on environmental issues, in an age appropriate way, such as water conservation and climate control.
Supported by the European Commission's fund for the environment, the series is produced by illustrator/animator/author Curtis Jobling (production designer on Bob the Builder, author/illustrator Frankenstein's Cat) and debuted in five European countries last week.
The series will be available in 11 languages across Europe from June. My Friend Boo will also be available in schools, social clubs and via other European organizations, such as Europe Region of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Each episode is accompanied by free downloadable education packs for teachers/schools. The series follows a group of young kids and their magical dog Boo, who takes them on environmental-centric adventures.
Imira Entertainment completes sales of the Normaal Animation produced 2D animated comedy Tangerine & Cow (78x7), just ahead of MIPTV. Z@pp (The Netherlands) acquires the public free TV rights for the series, with Cartoon Network taking the pay TV rights for Spain and TV Catalunya (Catalunya) the free TV rights.
Additionally, RTP (Portugal) and Channel 5 (Lithuania) also picked up the series, while Al Sayyar (Middle East) takes the TV and home entertainment rights.
Further home entertainment and licensing deals have been signed with Kids Planet (Netherlands and Belgium), and Pourquoi Pas (France). Based on Jacques Azam's comic book Chico Mandarine, Tangerine and Cow is a co-production of Imira and Normaal.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Bedrock Studios, Summer in Transylvania, Cookie Jar Entertainment, Zinkia Entertainment, ZingZillas, PBS Kids
Cary Granat and Ed Jones open the doors of their new family-centric Bedrock Studios, which will develop/produce animated and live-action projects for movies, TV, publishing and digital media, with budgets of $35 million or less, per The Wrap.
Their first project is Turkeys, an animated feature film that will be directed by Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2, Surf's Up) and features a voiceover cast including Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. The Thanksgiving themed Turkeys is currently in pre-production.
Granat is a co-founder and former CEO, Walden Media and Jones is an animator who runs Reel FX Creative Studios, he is a former executive at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). Bedrock plans to draw on the various resources from the prolific Reel FX. Other projects on Bedrock's development slate also includes movies based on popular kids books The Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and Dinosaur Bob by William Joyce.
Nickelodeon UK picks up the new tween-targeted live-action comedy Summer in Transylvania (20x30) from The Foundation, a division of RDF Media Group. Currently in production, Summer in Transylvania revolves around Summer Farley (Sophie Stuckey My Life in Ruins, Midsomer Murders) as she struggles to make the best of her home, school and social life when her family relocates to Transylvania for her dad's job.
Life in their new home is complicated when the local community, which of course, is comprised of zombies, werewolves, vampires and mummies, looks upon Summer's "normal" family as weird. At least Summer has two new friends to help her along, Heidi (Amy Wren Life Bites), a zombie girl, and Bobby (Kane Ricca), a wereboy. Created by Andy Watts (My Parents Are Aliens), Nickelodeon UK plans to premiere this series in fall 2010.
In Toronto this week, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures abruptly shuttered its doors and Cookie Jar Entertainment reduces its production staff by 35, primarily in the animation group, both blaming the economic downturn that has made it more expensive for US companies to commission work in Canada, per THR.
C.O.R.E. Digital, a digital effects and noted animation studio, is known for its CGI animated productions including The Wild, Ant Bully and Valiant as well as work on The Tudors, X-Men and other projects.
According to the report, Cookie Jar says it is moving more towards live-action production and also plans to further grow its Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, which is based in London and has 16 offices worldwide.
Zinkia Entertainment completes a deal with RAI 2 (Italy) for the animated preschool series Pocoyo (104x7). Co-produced by Zinkia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Pocoyo will debut this month on RAI 2, with two episodes airing back-to-back at 9:15a Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one episode at 9a on Fridays.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment handles worldwide distribution rights for Pocoyo, excluding Spain, Italy, Portugal and Latin America, which are handled by Zinkia.
CBeebies new music-based preschool series ZingZillas (52x22) is set to premiere next month. Set on a tropical island, the series features a group of musical primates, Zak (a gorilla and lead singer), Tang (an orangutan lead guitar), Panzee (a chimpanzee bass guitar/keyboard), and Drum (a monkey percussionist), under the guidance of their mentor and music expert DJ Loose, who together perform once each show.
The group is visited on the island by music stars including opera's Sarah Connolly, scat singer Dame Cleo Laine, and didgeridoo player Dhinawan. Kids/families can also be able to hear the ZingZillas songs via CBeebies radio or by logging onto www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/zingzillas . Additionally, kids can join the band and play along using their own webcams.
More new apps for preschoolers:
PBS Kids launches two new apps for iPhone/iPod touch that are designed to encourage kids to explore the world around them and support literacy skills. They are available at the iTunes App Store or www.pbskids.org/mobile.
Developed as part of the PBS Kids Raising Readers initiative, The Super Why! ($2.99) app features four interactive literacy games (rhyming, spelling, writing and reading) and four series characters, as well as a virtual sticker book.
The PBS Kids Photo Factory (free) app features characters/art from 11 PBS Kids series, which can be added to your own family photo, as well as offering local tune-in information. The photos can be shared via iPhoto, e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter.
Kindle Entertainment will release a new app based on CBeebies preschool series Big and Small via the iTunes App Store on April 1, 2010.
Developed by Ace Games in partnership with kindle, the Big and Small app will feature video clips and songs from the series, as well as sound effects from two series characters.
Their first project is Turkeys, an animated feature film that will be directed by Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2, Surf's Up) and features a voiceover cast including Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. The Thanksgiving themed Turkeys is currently in pre-production.
Granat is a co-founder and former CEO, Walden Media and Jones is an animator who runs Reel FX Creative Studios, he is a former executive at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). Bedrock plans to draw on the various resources from the prolific Reel FX. Other projects on Bedrock's development slate also includes movies based on popular kids books The Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and Dinosaur Bob by William Joyce.
Nickelodeon UK picks up the new tween-targeted live-action comedy Summer in Transylvania (20x30) from The Foundation, a division of RDF Media Group. Currently in production, Summer in Transylvania revolves around Summer Farley (Sophie Stuckey My Life in Ruins, Midsomer Murders) as she struggles to make the best of her home, school and social life when her family relocates to Transylvania for her dad's job.
Life in their new home is complicated when the local community, which of course, is comprised of zombies, werewolves, vampires and mummies, looks upon Summer's "normal" family as weird. At least Summer has two new friends to help her along, Heidi (Amy Wren Life Bites), a zombie girl, and Bobby (Kane Ricca), a wereboy. Created by Andy Watts (My Parents Are Aliens), Nickelodeon UK plans to premiere this series in fall 2010.
In Toronto this week, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures abruptly shuttered its doors and Cookie Jar Entertainment reduces its production staff by 35, primarily in the animation group, both blaming the economic downturn that has made it more expensive for US companies to commission work in Canada, per THR.
C.O.R.E. Digital, a digital effects and noted animation studio, is known for its CGI animated productions including The Wild, Ant Bully and Valiant as well as work on The Tudors, X-Men and other projects.
According to the report, Cookie Jar says it is moving more towards live-action production and also plans to further grow its Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, which is based in London and has 16 offices worldwide.
Zinkia Entertainment completes a deal with RAI 2 (Italy) for the animated preschool series Pocoyo (104x7). Co-produced by Zinkia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Pocoyo will debut this month on RAI 2, with two episodes airing back-to-back at 9:15a Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one episode at 9a on Fridays.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment handles worldwide distribution rights for Pocoyo, excluding Spain, Italy, Portugal and Latin America, which are handled by Zinkia.
CBeebies new music-based preschool series ZingZillas (52x22) is set to premiere next month. Set on a tropical island, the series features a group of musical primates, Zak (a gorilla and lead singer), Tang (an orangutan lead guitar), Panzee (a chimpanzee bass guitar/keyboard), and Drum (a monkey percussionist), under the guidance of their mentor and music expert DJ Loose, who together perform once each show.
The group is visited on the island by music stars including opera's Sarah Connolly, scat singer Dame Cleo Laine, and didgeridoo player Dhinawan. Kids/families can also be able to hear the ZingZillas songs via CBeebies radio or by logging onto www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/zingzillas . Additionally, kids can join the band and play along using their own webcams.
More new apps for preschoolers:
PBS Kids launches two new apps for iPhone/iPod touch that are designed to encourage kids to explore the world around them and support literacy skills. They are available at the iTunes App Store or www.pbskids.org/mobile.
Developed as part of the PBS Kids Raising Readers initiative, The Super Why! ($2.99) app features four interactive literacy games (rhyming, spelling, writing and reading) and four series characters, as well as a virtual sticker book.
The PBS Kids Photo Factory (free) app features characters/art from 11 PBS Kids series, which can be added to your own family photo, as well as offering local tune-in information. The photos can be shared via iPhoto, e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter.
Kindle Entertainment will release a new app based on CBeebies preschool series Big and Small via the iTunes App Store on April 1, 2010.
Developed by Ace Games in partnership with kindle, the Big and Small app will feature video clips and songs from the series, as well as sound effects from two series characters.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Schneider's Bakery, Material Girl
Nickelodeon inks a new long-term production deal and has also picks up two pilots. The network enters into a three-year, eight-figure production with deal with prolific creator/writer/producer Dan Schneider, per Variety.
Nick and Schneider have worked together for many years, with Schneider creating and producing some of the network's hit live-action series including iCarly, Drake and Josh, Zoey 101 and the upcoming Victorious.
Prior to creating shows for Nickelodeon, Schneider worked on the network's series including All That and Kenan and Kel.
On the pilot side, THR reports that Nickelodeon has given the go ahead to Brian Robbins and his Varsity Pictures for the single camera pilot, Supah Ninja, about a group of ninja kids in high school, and to writer/producer Steve Tompkins (The Simpsons) for Everyday Kid, which revolves around a boy who wakes each day with a different super power. There will likely be more to add to this following Nickelodeon's upfront presentation this morning.
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes are helping to design Material Girl, a new junior collection for Macy's. The line is the result of the formation of MG ICON, a new joint venture between Madonna and Iconix Brand Group.
The Material Girl collection will bow with products ($12-$40) in a range of categories, including back-to-school, footwear, handbags and jewelry, in about 200 Macy's stores and online at www.macys.com beginning this August 2010.
The Material Girl plan will include the addition of products across lifestyle and beauty categories, including fragrance, from 2011. Additionally, under the deal Macy's will have the option to launch further brands with MG ICON.
Nick and Schneider have worked together for many years, with Schneider creating and producing some of the network's hit live-action series including iCarly, Drake and Josh, Zoey 101 and the upcoming Victorious.
Prior to creating shows for Nickelodeon, Schneider worked on the network's series including All That and Kenan and Kel.
On the pilot side, THR reports that Nickelodeon has given the go ahead to Brian Robbins and his Varsity Pictures for the single camera pilot, Supah Ninja, about a group of ninja kids in high school, and to writer/producer Steve Tompkins (The Simpsons) for Everyday Kid, which revolves around a boy who wakes each day with a different super power. There will likely be more to add to this following Nickelodeon's upfront presentation this morning.
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes are helping to design Material Girl, a new junior collection for Macy's. The line is the result of the formation of MG ICON, a new joint venture between Madonna and Iconix Brand Group.
The Material Girl collection will bow with products ($12-$40) in a range of categories, including back-to-school, footwear, handbags and jewelry, in about 200 Macy's stores and online at www.macys.com beginning this August 2010.
The Material Girl plan will include the addition of products across lifestyle and beauty categories, including fragrance, from 2011. Additionally, under the deal Macy's will have the option to launch further brands with MG ICON.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Peep and Mandie and the Secret Tunnel
Peep and the Big Wide World, the animated preschool science series, will be available to Spanish-speaking and bilingual preschooler for the first time when it debuts weekday mornings on V-me ( www.vmetv.com ) beginning this month (Monday-Friday, 9:15-9:30a).
Peep is produced by WGBH and 9 Story Entertainment in association with TVOntario and Discovery Kids.
A Spanish section of the Peep and the Big Wide World ( www.peepandthebigwideworld.org) is launching simultaneously. The site will offer animated Peep stores and related live-action videos featuring real kids playing the real world, as well as providing additional online educational activities and the like in Spanish for parents and caregivers.
Major funding for Peep is provided by the National Science Foundation, with additional funding is provided by the Northrop Grumman Foundation.
MarVista Entertainment acquires the worldwide distribution rights to the feature film Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, which is based on Lois Leppard's kid-targeted novel of the same name, from Lost World Pictures.
Under the deal, MarVista will license the rights to movie worldwide, and also maintains the option to acquire the remaining four movies for which Lost World's Producer/Director team Owen Smith and Joy Chapman own the rights.
The second movie in the series, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, is currently in development and will be completed this year. Mandie and the Secret Tunnel will debut to the international market at MIPTV. By the way ... there are 40+ titles in the Mandie book series, which are set in the early 1900s and follow Mandie on her mystery solving adventures with the her friends and cat Snowball.
Peep is produced by WGBH and 9 Story Entertainment in association with TVOntario and Discovery Kids.
A Spanish section of the Peep and the Big Wide World ( www.peepandthebigwideworld.org) is launching simultaneously. The site will offer animated Peep stores and related live-action videos featuring real kids playing the real world, as well as providing additional online educational activities and the like in Spanish for parents and caregivers.
Major funding for Peep is provided by the National Science Foundation, with additional funding is provided by the Northrop Grumman Foundation.
MarVista Entertainment acquires the worldwide distribution rights to the feature film Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, which is based on Lois Leppard's kid-targeted novel of the same name, from Lost World Pictures.
Under the deal, MarVista will license the rights to movie worldwide, and also maintains the option to acquire the remaining four movies for which Lost World's Producer/Director team Owen Smith and Joy Chapman own the rights.
The second movie in the series, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, is currently in development and will be completed this year. Mandie and the Secret Tunnel will debut to the international market at MIPTV. By the way ... there are 40+ titles in the Mandie book series, which are set in the early 1900s and follow Mandie on her mystery solving adventures with the her friends and cat Snowball.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dora's 10
Nickelodeon celebrates the 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer by launching Beyond the Backpack, a new multi-year/multi-platform campaign that aims to help parents and educators prepare preschoolers socially, emotionally, with early literacy and math skills and healthy living basics, for school, with the support of new partners actress Salma Hayek Pinault and Children's Defense Fund's president/founder Marian Wright Edelman, and the National Parents Teachers (PTA).
Nickelodeon will also mark Dora's anniversary with four primetime TV specials, an original documentary, and new online content for kids and parents.
The Beyond the Backpack initiative will include: a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Hayek Pinault and Dora; a fundraising auction of limited edition celebrity designed Dora backpacks around the world (US proceeds to Children's Defense Fund, international funds to education in each country); dorabeyondthebackpack .com, a dedicated website launching in April, offering downloadables for parents and teachers; and local community activities.
The Children's Defense Fund and PTA, along with a range of experts, will inform an advisory committee. The PTA will also help with distribution of educational materials through their infrastructure and will c0-author a parent's toolkit for distribution.
Nickelodeon will premiere the first of the new primetime Dora the Explorer specials, Swiper the Explorer, on Sunday, March 21, at 8p.
In mid-August, in conjunction with Dora's official anniversary, the network will air the one-hour primetime special, Dora's Big Birthday Adventure. The Nickelodeon commissioned documentary is produced by Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in the Picture) and also slated to debut on the network in August.
Nickelodeon will also mark Dora's anniversary with four primetime TV specials, an original documentary, and new online content for kids and parents.
The Beyond the Backpack initiative will include: a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Hayek Pinault and Dora; a fundraising auction of limited edition celebrity designed Dora backpacks around the world (US proceeds to Children's Defense Fund, international funds to education in each country); dorabeyondthebackpack .com, a dedicated website launching in April, offering downloadables for parents and teachers; and local community activities.
The Children's Defense Fund and PTA, along with a range of experts, will inform an advisory committee. The PTA will also help with distribution of educational materials through their infrastructure and will c0-author a parent's toolkit for distribution.
Nickelodeon will premiere the first of the new primetime Dora the Explorer specials, Swiper the Explorer, on Sunday, March 21, at 8p.
In mid-August, in conjunction with Dora's official anniversary, the network will air the one-hour primetime special, Dora's Big Birthday Adventure. The Nickelodeon commissioned documentary is produced by Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in the Picture) and also slated to debut on the network in August.
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