Top Stories

LOS ANGELES: The animated feature film Norm of the North is slated for a theatrical release in China in April following Splash Entertainment’s pacts with Yang Yang Pictures Corporation and Chinawood Media Corp.

LONDON: The stop-motion animated preschool series Toby’s Travelling Circus has been picked up by Rai Yoyo in Italy.

TORONTO: 9 Story Media Group has placed the third season of its preschool series Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood in Latin America, where it will air on Disney Junior.

TORONTO: shomi has secured a deal with Corus Entertainment, the exclusive brand partner for Nickelodeon in Canada, that will see more than 700 episodes of 21 series stream on the family-friendly service.

LONDON: FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment (FMKFE) has revealed that Giochi Preziosi (GP) will serve as the toy distributor for the hit preschool property Kate & Mim-Mim in key European territories.

LONDON: Zodiak Kids has renewed its Mister Maker licensing agreement with Creativity International for another three years, while also appointing two new licensees for the popular arts and crafts property.

According to data from The NPD Group, U.S. toy sales rose by 6.7 percent last year compared to 2014, generating $19.4 billion and driven by the success of Star Wars merchandise, among other factors. Out of the 11 major categories, nine saw gains in 2015.

HALIFAX: DHX Brands has secured five additional U.K. consumer products licensees for the Teletubbies reboot, which premiered on CBeebies last year.

MONTREAL: Canada’s Apartment 11 Productions is due to release a pair of educational kids’ series this year for TVOKids.

LONDON: Nurture Rights has inked an exclusive deal with global parenting retailer Mothercare for an apparel line inspired by the popular preschool brand Dinosaur Roar!