Joanna Padovano Tong

Cartoon Network's Ben 10 reboot has secured new free-to-air partnerships that extend the reach of the hit animated series in Australia and New Zealand.

The YouTube Kids app, which can be downloaded on mobile phones and tablets, is now also available on select smart television sets.

TF1, Cyber Group Studios, Supamonks Studios and La Chouette Compagnie are currently developing Droners, a new animated comedy adventure series based on an original idea by Pierre de Cabissole and Sylvain dos Santos.

The Australian Greens political party has launched the #SaveKidsTV initiative to defend children's storytelling in the country, with Screen Producers Australia among those pledging support to the cause.

MarcoPolo Learning has secured $8.5 million in Series A funding, which will be used to expand its suite of early childhood education apps and to produce animated long-form video content with Boat Rocker Media companies.

Media I.M. has appointed Evolution to manage the licensing, merchandising and promotion rights for the non-dialogue animated comedy series Sunny Bunnies in North America.

ProSiebenSat.1 Licensing has inked a deal with Rainbow to represent the live-action show Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends in the German-speaking region.

Hasbro's first-quarter revenues rose 2 percent to $849.7 million as compared to $831.2 million in 2016, while net earnings increased 41 percent to $68.6 million versus $48.8 million the year before.

First-quarter financial results for the year have been released at Mattel, where the company's worldwide net and gross sales dropped by 15 percent.

Nurture Rights has revealed that fashion retailer M&Co is bolstering its Dinosaur Roar! offering with a new children's clothing line that is slated to hit retail in the fall/winter.