TV Kids In-Demand: Preschool

As part of our efforts to help buyers find the best content to fill their slates, TV Kids is launching a series of weekly genre reports this summer, spotlighting new shows in a variety of areas. This week, we’re highlighting hot properties in preschool: Guru Studio’s True and the Rainbow Kingdom, ZDF Enterprises’ Ziggy and the Zootram, Acamar Films’ Bing and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation’s Little J & Big Cuz.

See the full report here.

True and the Rainbow Kingdom

Commissioned By: Netflix
Produced By: Guru Studio
Rights Available: First-run linear rights and L&M opportunities in all major territories.
Description: Geared to the 3 to 6 set. Compassionate superhero True and her hilarious best friend Bartleby the cat come to the rescue of Rainbow Kingdom’s whimsical citizens. All four seasons available for license, including: 30×22-minute episodes, 5×22-minute seasonal specials, 1×44-minute holiday special in 19 languages and bonus short-form content for social and digital platforms.
Pitch Perfect: “True is everything you’d want in a hero: she doesn’t wield a sword or wave a wand, but her kindness and compassion makes her an aspirational role model for both girls and boys,” says Jonathan Abraham, VP of sales and business development at Guru Studio. “The show’s timely and important message empowers children to be mindful, courageous and respectful of all living things.”
Slot Winner: With strong international broadcast partners including Tiny Pop (U.K.), Discovery Kids (U.S.), Gloob (Brazil), Frisbee (Italy), Canal Panda (Spain & Portugal), RTS (Switzerland), HOP (Israel), DR (Denmark), CBC Kids (Canada) and Radio-Canada (French-Canada), True and the Rainbow Kingdom continues to be a highly in-demand and top-rated show around the world. The series has received multiple award nominations, including the Daytime Emmy Awards, Banff Rockie Awards, Kidscreen Awards and Canadian Screen Awards. A full line of consumer products that includes books, plush, costumes and toys has launched in North America and is poised to launch internationally later this year.
Sales Contact: Jonathan Abraham, VP of Sales & Business Development

Ziggy and the Zootram

Commissioned By: VRT/Ketnet, ZDF, ZDF Enterprises and co-produced with WunderWerk
Produced By: Grid Animation, Fabrique d’Images (S1) & Telegael (S2)
Rights Available: ZDF Enterprises is representing all rights worldwide outside of co-production territories.
Description: A 3D animated series about a group of animals who live in a small zoo and who have a very special secret: they go home at night! Aimed at upper preschool (3-6), the series consists of 52×11-minute episodes.
Pitch Perfect: “Ziggy and the Zootram is such a sweet series!” says Katharina Pietzsch, director of ZDFE.junior at ZDF Enterprises. “We are convinced that the fun adventures of Ziggy and his animal friends will entertain audiences all over the world—both children as well as their families, and will brighten up their days.”
Sales Contacts: Katharina Pietzsch, Marei Bruckmann, Jan-Frederik Maul.

Bing

Produced By: Acamar Films & Brown Bag Films
Rights Available: All rights available from Acamar Films.
Description: Adapted specially for television from the original books by Ted Dewan, Bing authentically mirrors a young child’s experience and celebrates the noisy, joyful, messy reality of preschool life. Bing values emotional development and soft-learning, and has a team of educational consultants informing the content. Episodes available: S1: 26×7 minutes, S2: 26×7 minutes, S3: 26×7 minutes, S4: 26×7 minutes.
Pitch Perfect: Bing has seen extraordinary success since it launched in the U.K. in 2014, winning an International Emmy for Best Children’s Program, the Writer’s Guild Award for best writing in a children’s program and a BAFTA nomination for best children’s program. Bing has been licensed to 130 territories worldwide and continues to ‘move and delight’ Bingsters and their grown-ups through an increasing range of award-winning films, books, magazines, apps, consumer products, digital, live shows and cinema experiences.
Slot Winner: Number one most requested preschool show in the U.K. on BBC iPlayer with over 423 million requests since launch. Number one on the RaiPlay Yoyo app and in the top 20 for kids on RaiPlay (Italy). Named Property of the Year at the Bologna Licensing Awards for 2019 activity in Italy. Nominations include 2020 Rockie Award in the Children & Youth: Preschool category and Best Animated Entertainment/Character Brand for Licensing International Excellence Awards 2020. Bing consistently outperforms all competitors on Facebook in terms of growth. Bing awareness, affinity and purchase intention has increased year-on-year.
Sales Contacts: Eroulla Constantine, Director of Sales & Distribution; Ben Taylor, Sales Executive.

Little J & Big Cuz

Commissioned By: NITV
Producers: Ned Lander, Co-Producers: Alicia Rackett & Colin South
Rights Available: Australian Children’s Television Foundation is offering all international rights to the title.
Description: Tells the story of five-year-old Little J and his 9-year-old cousin Big Cuz. They’re a couple of Indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna and Old Dog, exploring their world, whether that’s in the playground, the classroom, the backyard… or beyond. There’s always something surprising going on and with the help of Nanna and their school teacher Ms Chen, Little J and Big Cuz are finding out all about culture, community and country. S2: 13×12 minutes, S1: 13×12 minutes.
Pitch Perfect: In series two we see Little J and Big Cuz exploring more of their world and having lots of fun along the way. With episode titles such as “Road Trip,” “School Sleepover,” “Bush Medicine,” “Desert Camp” and “Finding Home,” it’s clear that Little J and Big Cuz are learning more about life around them and where and how they fit in.
Sales Contacts: Roberta Di Vito, International Sales Manager; Tim Hegarty, International Sales Manager.