Broadcasters around the world have made some significant deals this week, securing the rights to adapt popular book series for television and expanding licensing partnerships. Here’s a closer look at the top deals of the week:
Boat Rocker, a well-known production company, has successfully secured broadcast sales for three kids series from its catalogue. NRK in Norway, RTE in Ireland, and TVO in Canada have all picked up Maramedia’s mixed-media preschool series, Olga da Polga. Additionally, RTE, Corus in Canada, ABC, and Stan in Australia have acquired season nine of Boat Rocker’s live-action series, The Next Step. Furthermore, RTE, TVB in Hong Kong, Turner in Italy, and MBC in the MENA region have all agreed to air season three of Ludo Studio/Media World Pictures’ 2D-animated series, The Strange Chores.
In an exciting international collaboration, India’s Toonz Media Group and Giffi in the UK have joined forces to co-produce and co-distribute a new CG-animated series called Adventures of Rusty. This series is based on the beloved stories of Indian author Ruskin Bond and will consist of 52 seven-minute episodes. The show follows the adventures of an orphaned Anglo-Indian boy who decides to run away from home to live with his friends. With Bond’s books having sold over 20 million copies in more than 50 languages, this new series is sure to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide. The Adventures of Rusty will initially launch on YouTube and other digital platforms, with both companies working together to manage media distribution and licensing and merchandising rights.
In the world of music, indie music distributor DistroKid has formed a partnership with the popular gaming platform Roblox to expand the reach of its artists’ music. This collaboration allows some of DistroKid’s artists to share their catalogues with Roblox developers for use in games, free of charge. While there is currently no monetization for the artists involved, Roblox boasts an impressive 79.5 million daily active users worldwide as of Q2 2024, providing a substantial platform for exposure.
On the licensing front, Bulldog Licensing has secured a deal for Totally Spies! in the UK with Skinnydip London. This partnership will cover a range of products, including phone cases, clothing, accessories, travel items, and homeware. The first products to be released as part of this agreement are a collection of phone cases featuring the three teenage superspies, which are now available on Skinnydip’s website.
These deals highlight the ongoing efforts of broadcasters, production companies, and licensing agencies to bring captivating content to audiences around the world. From beloved book adaptations to innovative partnerships in music and licensing, the entertainment industry continues to evolve and expand, offering new and exciting experiences for viewers of all ages.