Nippon TV’s Old Enough! Gets Canadian Treatment

Blue Ant Studios has secured the Canadian rights to Nippon TV’s long-running Japanese unscripted series Old Enough!

Production on the first North American version of the show, which follows toddlers as they independently run errands for the first time, has begun. The adaptation is set to air in September 2024 on TVO.

Canadian comedian Colin Mochrie will narrate the project.

“Old Enough! typifies the vision of our studio moving forward—entertaining and enlightening franchises—and we’re thrilled to be bringing the first North American version to audiences,” said Matthew Hornburg, co-president of Blue Ant Studios. “This series is going to be an engaging co-viewing experience for families, and children will definitely enjoy watching their peers find their independence when given the freedom to do so. It also explores themes of what parenting means from different cultural perspectives and in the modern age.”

Natasha Negrea, head of programming at TVO, added: “Independence is a key part of healthy childhood development. It begins with taking our first steps and flourishes through our appetites to learn and explore. This exciting new version of Old Enough! showcases young kids discovering their delightful first moments of being independent.”

“It is such a joy to announce the Canadian adaptation of Old Enough!, our heartwarming factual entertainment format and global phenomenon,” said Akane Alex Inoue, from global format licensing at Nippon TV. “I am very proud that the passionate team at Blue Ant Studios has created a truly enjoyable version using the unique new camera style we developed together. We are delighted to show the world that children’s big adventures can be delivered in different cultures and hope for more international versions to follow.”