Nickelodeon International Acquires Best & Bester, Renews Hunter Street

Nickelodeon International has acquired pre-buy rights to the animated comedy series Best & Bester and given a fourth season to the mystery and adventure live-action series Hunter Street.

A new co-production between London-based studio Eye Present and Finnish studio Gigglebug Entertainment, Best & Bester focuses on two close pals obsessed with comparing the best things of all time, all while being able to transform themselves into anything they want, once a day. The deal for the series includes creative editorial input and broadcast commitment from Nickelodeon International, as well as YLE, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, and development funding from Creative Europe.

Layla Lewis, senior VP of global acquisitions and content partnerships for Nickelodeon, said: “Best & Bester offer both the laughs and the smarts that we think will resonate with our audience. We’re excited to welcome them to the Nick family and bring this comedic duo to our international screens.”

Teija Rantala, head of children’s programs at YLE, said: “We love the positive message of this show which is, at its heart, a celebration of diverse opinions and identities. Kids today live in a world that is full of possibilities, when you have a curious mind.”

Genevieve Dexter, CEO of Eye Present, said: “This is great news, the Nickelodeon greenlight for the series now leads us to explore gaming and experiential content which is built into the core of the IP.”

Anttu Harlin, executive producer and co-founder of Gigglebug Entertainment, commented: “We want to spread joy through animation. To make seriously silly stuff, with a purpose.”

Production on Hunter Street’s fourth season is set to commence in May before returning on Nickelodeon’s international channels in more than 170 countries and territories. The new season’s mystery will see the Hunter kids go undercover to find and unite both new and ancient technology, learn they’re not the only kid members of ‘The Relatives’ and take on powerful enemies.

Hunter Street, originally co-developed with the Nickelodeon Netherlands series De Ludwigs, is produced for an international audience by Blooming Media.

Nina Hahn, senior VP of international production and development at Nickelodeon, said: “Hunter Street’s success is a testament to Nick’s innovative, international production model and we know fans everywhere will enjoy seeing what adventures the Hunters get into this season.”