TV Kids In-Demand

We’re spotlighting an eclectic mix of new children’s programs in our latest In-Demand Report: PBS International’s Elinor Wonders Why, Cyber Group Studios’ Orange Moo Cow, WildBrain’s The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (which is screening at the TV Kids Festival on Thursday) and Mondo TV Group’s MeteoHeroes.

Elinor Wonders Why

Commissioned By: PBS KIDS
Produced By: SHOE Ink
Rights Available: All rights available worldwide from PBS International.
Description: Elinor Wonders Why encourages children to follow their curiosity, ask questions, figure out the answers and learn about the natural world around them using their science inquiry skills.
Duration: 74×11 minutes (delivered as 37×25 minutes) & 1×55-minute special
Target Demo: 2-6
Pitch Perfect: The warm, funny main characters—Elinor, Ari and Olive—are curious about the things all preschoolers are curious about. Why do birds have feathers? Who or what is making those “whoo hoo” sounds at night? In finding the answers, they explore the remarkable ways that our everyday lives are connected to nature. Preschoolers relate to this desire to explore and feel empowered to make these same kinds of connections in their own lives. The series is educational—and fun!
Sales Contacts: Betsy LeBlanc, Anna Alvord, Nanci Church.

Orange Moo Cow

Commissioned By: Channel 1—Karusel
Produced By: Cyber Soyuz Junior (a French and Russian joint label created by Cyber Group Studios & Soyuzmultfilm)
Rights Available: Exclusive worldwide TV and video sales, excluding Russia & CIS, from Cyber Group Studios.
Description: A very sweet animated comedy series for preschoolers about family, friendship and love.
Duration: 52×7 minutes
Target Demo: Preschool
Pitch Perfect: Click here to watch Cyber Group’s Raphaelle Mathieu deliver a one-minute pitch for Orange Moo Cow.
Sales Contacts: Raphaelle Mathieu, SVP, Sales, Acquisitions & New Media; Michèle Massonnat, Senior Sales Manager; Jessica Laloum, International Sales Executive.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Commissioned By: Sky Kids
Produced By: Black Camel, Wild Child Animation, TG Entertainment
Rights Available: Global distribution rights (PTV, FTV, VOD) from WildBrain.
Description: Capturing the imagination of all children, this bright and funny original animated Tom Gates story is interwoven with live-action crafts and drawing, stop-motion games and music videos. This epic show will have everything that Tom Gates fans know and love about the best-selling book series. In addition, they get to meet their favorite author/illustrator Liz Pichon, who shows us how to draw and create just like Tom!
Duration: 20×11 minutes
Target Demo: 7-12
Pitch Perfect: Deirdre Brennan, executive VP of content partnerships at WildBrain, said: “The Tom Gates book series has been a runaway success all the over the world, capturing the imaginations of families through its authentic storytelling, humor and unique graphic style. As the books prepare to make the highly anticipated jump from the page to the screen, we’re confident the series will delight both new and existing Tom Gates fans internationally.”
Sales Contact: Caroline Tyre, VP, Global Sales & Rights Strategy.

MeteoHeroes

Produced By: Mondo TV Group, MOPI—Meteo Expert
Rights Available: All rights available from Mondo TV Group.
Description: Adventure-comedy series featuring the amazing adventures of six extraordinary kids who use their superpowers to protect the planet from pollution and extreme weather events while also promoting sustainability and encouraging everyone to take good care of the environment.
Duration: Season one, produced in 2D HD, consists of 52 7-minute episodes. Season two, just announced and now in production, will consist of 52 11-minute episodes.
Target Demo: Upper preschool (4-7)
Pitch Perfect: MeteoHeroes is the only adventure-comedy cartoon in the world dedicated entirely to the universally relevant theme of making our planet sustainable. It addresses issues like climate change and threats to our environment by promoting, and explaining, ecology, biodiversity and respect for nature. But it does this in an entertaining and exciting way, through the adventures of six superpowered kids who work alongside scientists and meteorologists at a futuristic HQ based in Gran Sasso Mountain National Park in Italy. They’re called the MeteoHeroes and they are trained to use their powers to fulfil an important mission: to save the Earth! There’s an international, inclusive and gender-equal lineup of characters. There’s an emphasis on the importance of teamwork to get the job done. There are rounded, believable characters developed with the help of a respected child psychiatrist. There are great storylines based on the amazing science behind real weather events. There’s comedy and adventure. Most of all, there’s a positive message for today’s kids. They can make a difference in the fight against the pollution of our air, our water and our fields. They can combat climate change. They can play a leading role in safeguarding our planet. These are the ingredients that make MeteoHeroes a show unlike any other. But the show is important for other reasons. At a time when many children are spending much more time at home, this entertaining and informative show has an additional appeal—because of its content and also because of extras like the educational clips at the end of each episode. These encourage kids and parents to discuss what they’ve seen, which is important socially and psychologically at a time when social interaction is under pressure. But this is also a show for digitally savvy kids, so the strategy includes a strong digital component supporting broadcasting and merchandising partners through Instagram, Facebook and a very successful podcast, all of which expand and enhance the experience of the brand.
Slot Winner: The worldwide premiere was on Cartoonito Italy as part of the channel’s Earth Day campaign, Save The Planet, Be A Hero, in 2020. MeteoHeroes was among the hit shows on Cartoonito in Italy last autumn. It’s already been sold or confirmed in over 120 countries; latest A-list partners announced include Canal+ (France and French-speaking countries, excluding French Canada), Minika Çoçuk (Turkey), RSI, TV3 (Baltics), Menart (ex-Yugoslavia) and Branding Streams (media agent North America). Additional partners across EMEA will be announced soon.
Sales Contact: Luana Perrero, Head, Content Sales.