WildBrain Unveils Upcoming Slate Ahead of BLE

WildBrain has revealed its upcoming slate of programming for brands it will present at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE), including the new animated series Teletubbies, Let’s Go!

From WildBrain Spark, Teletubbies, Let’s Go! is set to launch on the Teletubbies YouTube channel at the end of October. At BLE, a Teletubbies-themed adult fashion collection from ellesse and GoGuy will be showcased.

The new CG animated series launches the month prior to Netflix’s refreshed, live-action Teletubbies, which is set to debut on November 14. Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) narrates the new series, which features new sun babies and new “Tummy Tales” songs hosted by Julia Pulo (Operation Christmas List).

For WildBrain’s Strawberry Shortcake brand, a second season of Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City is slated to debut on Netflix on September 21. Netflix will also be the home of four new seasonal specials in 2023. WildBrain’s Family Jr. channel in Canada will debut season two on October 11, and WildBrain Television will be the Canadian broadcast home for the four specials.

WildBrain has added new linear and streaming partners for both seasons. New season one partners include Rik (Slovak Republic, Czech Republic), and Club Illico (Canada). WildBrain’s French channel Télémagino (Canada), Kids Central (U.S.), and Sandbox Kids (U.K., Ireland, U.S., Canada, France and Ukraine) picked up both seasons.

In consumer products news for Strawberry Shortcake, WildBrain CPLG inked a slew of new partnerships, with merchandise launching in 2023. For the classic Strawberry Shortcake brand, deals were scored with Loungefly for bags and accessories and Funko for Funko Pop! vinyl figures. For Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City, deals were inked with the Canadian Group for puzzles and games and Starbound Entertainment for parade balloons. Anthem Publishing will feature the new and classic brand in Colouring Heaven Collection and Junior magazines. Inkology will also represent both brands with stationery. Penguin Random House is set to roll out its first titles for the new series this fall.

In the U.S., Sunkist Growers renewed its in-store promotional campaign for spring 2023, and Challenge Butter recently launched its own Berry in the Big City retail promotion, with a limited edition Strawberry Shortcake Sno flavor available at Bahama Buck’s throughout September.

Season four of WildBrain’s preschool hit Chip and Potato is set to drop on Netflix on October 3. That same month, JAKKS Pacific will debut its master toy range in the U.S. for the brand, with new plush toys available online from Walmart, Amazon and JAKKS Pacific. Baby Boom, a division of The Betesh Group, has been signed to create themed bedding and homewares in the U.S. and Canada.

WildBrain’s classic In the Night Garden preschool series has new specials introducing the new character the Zonk. In the Night Garden: Zinkyzzzonk Specials are the first new content in 13 years for the series. WildBrain has secured an initial deal for the specials with Hop! Channel in Israel.

In consumer products news for the brand, long-term master toy partner Golden Bear launched a new Igglepiggle Blankie Bundle and continues to support the Musical Activity Ninky Nonk Bubble Train with a new TV commercial, VOD and YouTube advertising. Existing licensee Tomy launched an In the Night Garden-themed aquadoodle. The kids’ brand is also extending onto online gifting store My First Years, with personalized In the Night Garden items available from Golden Bear, 8th Wonder, and Penguin. Additionally, the In the Night Garden live tour, produced by Minor Entertainment, continues in the U.K. this September and October and has been renewed for 2023.

Jim Fielding, WildBrain’s newly appointed chief marketing and brands officer, said: “I’m delighted to join WildBrain during this time of remarkable growth for our treasured franchises, both on and off the screen. We’re continuing to find innovative ways under our 360-degree strategy to connect with our audiences across multi-platform content and consumer products. Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Chip and Potato and In the Night Garden have captured the hearts of audiences around the globe, and we look forward to sharing our new content and consumer products with fans new and old.”