Sara Alessi

TOKYO: Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) and Mitsui & Co. are establishing AK Holdings, a joint venture that will operate Japanese anime networks Kids Station and Animax.

SINGAPORE/NEW YORK: One Animation has appointed Brandgenuity as the licensing agent for the animated series Oddbods in the U.S. and Canada.

TEL AVIV: The live-action daily drama Spell Keepers has launched on Nickelodeon Israel exclusively for yes DBS, which commissioned the series.

LONDON: Production has begun in Northern Ireland on the upcoming season of the musical drama series The Lodge, which Disney Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA) commissioned for a sophomore run.

PAWTUCKET/LOS ANGELES: Hasbro has signed an agreement with Sutikki to become global master toy licensee for the new original preschool series Moon and Me from Andrew Davenport’s Foundling Bird.

BURBANK: Cartoon Network has lined up the new series Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs for a March premiere.

WINNIPEG: The 3D-animated series Super Geek Heroes will begin streaming on Ameba TV this month, thanks to a deal with The Think Tank Emporium.

TORONTO: 9 Story Media Group has licensed the animated kids’ show Nature Cat to Discovery Kids Latin America.

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES: YouTube Red has made its first-ever investment in original series available on the YouTube Kids app.

TORONTO: Portfolio Entertainment is gearing up to produce a third season of the Dr. Seuss-inspired PBS Kids preschool series The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!