TVKIDS
5 has launched Mixmups with Ultra Access, an online personalized viewing service with a slew of accessibility options for Milkshake!’s preschool show Mixmups.
Along with the traditional offers of subtitles, audio description and British Sign Language (BSL), Mixmups with Ultra Access provides options to watch with lower background sound, simpler visuals and preparation materials such as storyline synopses, audio-described introductions, emotional regulation clues, play-along sensory props and key Makaton and BSL signs.
The launch of Mixmups with Ultra Access marks a milestone in Object Based Media, as, for the first time on multiple episodes of a TV program, the technology separates media into “objects” of video, audio clips and layers, which can be combined in multiple ways to personalize and adapt to viewer preferences.
Mixmups is 5’s first animated preschool series featuring disabled lead characters. Set in the bright, colorful world of Mixington Valley, Mixmups sees friends Pockets, Giggle and Spin play with their magical wooden spoon and transport themselves on adventures.
The series, along with the Ultra Access episodes, is produced by Mackinnon & Saunders (Pinocchio, Moon & Me, Fanstastic Mr Fox) and created and written by Rebecca Atkinson. It was developed and produced with support from the U.K. government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF). Mixmups with Ultra Access is powered by Stornaway.
“These pioneering ultra-accessible episodes were part of the original Milkshake! commission and a huge draw of what made Mixmups feel such an important show to make,” explained Louise Bucknole, senior VP of kids and family at Paramount UK & Ireland. “Inclusivity is at the heart of Mixmups–a show for every preschooler, featuring loveable characters, exciting adventures and captivating storytelling. Set in a playful, compelling world without barriers, we wanted to ensure that every child could enjoy the series in their own unique way. We’re really excited about these episodes—it’s something that’s never been done before, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they resonate with neurodiverse and disabled viewers.”
“The Mixmups team love to play with convention and look for other ways to deliver world-class stop-motion animation, storytelling and entertainment with baked in inclusion for the whole preschool audience, whatever their preferences,” said creator and writer Atkinson. “We are so proud to be launching Mixmups with Ultra Access in partnership with 5 and bringing unprecedented viewing access to a generation of children, parents, carers and teachers and further building our magical brand. Oh, and we hope kids will fall in love with Spin signing as much as we have; he’s the first ever stop-motion character to sign Makaton and BSL with his little furry paws!”
Kate Dimbleby, co-founder of Stornaway, commented, “It has been incredible to see these Ultra Access episodes take shape. We designed Stornaway’s technology to unlock opportunities for producers and platforms making content for a generation used to playing and interacting with their media. These Ultra Access episodes are a powerful example of what can happen when creators are given the tools to innovate, and we are so delighted that 5 had the vision to pioneer and support this format.”
Mackinnon & Saunders added, “Bringing the Mixmups to life over 52 episodes has been a genuine delight for our entire team. Working with Rebecca, we combined animation artistry with heaps of research and lived experience of disability to make our characters as authentic but as entertaining as possible. The chance to dive deeper into this world, to work on the creative and technical processes of Ultra Access, and to bring that same level of fun into enhancing the viewing experience of those with access needs has been just incredible. A true first.”
