BGM Secures TVOkids Commission, BBC Development Deal

TVOkids has commissioned the original format Backyard Beats from Bristow Global Media (BGM), which has also inked a development deal with the BBC for its first animated project.

The 26×11-minute series is slated for a 2020 broadcast on TVOkids and will be available for streaming on TVOkids.com. Aimed at 6- to 9-year-olds, Backyard Beats explores music from all genres using various instruments and musicians. Each episode also contains a DIY segment that challenges kids to build their own musical instrument.

The deal marks BGM’s second TVOkids commission in three months after the broadcaster greenlit a second season of It’s My Party! in February. BGM’s digital creative team is also working on a game to accompany Backyard Beats called Backyard Beats Builds, which allows kids to craft eight musical instruments from household items.

BGM’s kids’ division has also signed a co-development agreement with the BBC that will see the broadcasting giant’s in-house children’s animation team partner with the Toronto-based content-creation company to develop Ricky Rocket, BGM’s first animated project, for the international market.

Aimed at 5- to 7-year-olds, Ricky Rocket is a music-infused series that follows the titular character and his two friends who, in between performing with their band, morph into superheroes to save their hometown from disaster.

Julie Bristow, president and CEO of BGM, said: “BGM is committed to reflecting the brilliance, creativity and diversity of the world around us to delight and inspire young audiences. This latest series commission from TVOkids is a testament to the quality of the entertainment coming out of our newly launched kids’ division—and to have won the support of the BBC in developing our first animated show is also a major coup. Both Backyard Beats and Ricky Rocket tap into the joy of making music from anything at any time, wherever and whoever you are.”