Chuggington Gets Sixth Season & New Toy Line

Production has commenced on season six of the Herschend Entertainment Studios animated series Chuggington, and Alpha Group has been appointed as the global master toy partner for the show.

The multiyear collaboration with Alpha Group will deliver a range of toys set to debut in 2020, Chuggington’s tenth year on air. The launch of the toy line leads the series’ licensing and retail program, which will feature new content from season six. A broad range of toys, including vehicles, track sets, radio control, plush, games, electronics, smart toys, novelty and seasonal products, are all in development.

The preschool series, which follows the adventures of three trainee trains, is available on broadcast networks and streaming platforms in 178 countries. Michael G. Stern (Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates) will serve as the head writer and co-executive producer for season six, together with key creative and production personnel from earlier seasons. Julie Phillips, Herschend Entertainment Studios’ VP, will also serve as executive producer.

The sixth season will consist of 52 10-minute episodes with new elements, storytelling styles and formats, including a 3D visual of the fictional world. A series of 26 1.5-minute animated/live-action hybrid shorts will be simultaneously produced.

“Following Herschend Entertainment Studios’ acquisition last year of the globally beloved property Chuggington, we are investing heavily to develop the brand as a true evergreen franchise,” commented Phillips. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with a best-in-class company like Alpha Group with their innovation, state-of-the-art design capabilities and manufacturing facilities, and a global footprint. Additionally, we have Michael Stern, an A-List preschool showrunner, and premier media partners around the world. As we celebrate Chuggington’s tenth anniversary in 2020 and prepare to move the property into its second decade, we are perfectly aligned with our partners to ensure that we continue to refresh and grow the brand to entertain children for years to come.”

“Chuggington’s heritage as a beloved animation and strong consumer products brand was reason enough, but Herschend’s passion and vision for the global franchise is what makes this opportunity so exciting,” said Mark Slater-Hyndman, head of U.K. & Ireland for Alpha Group. “At Alpha, we are honored to be able to bring fans into the world of Chuggington like never before, through innovations that will surprise and delight.”