Category Archives: News

No comments

Amazon Studios Greenlights Three New Kids Series

  By

  ShauntheSheepLand

Kidscreen is reporting that AmazonStudios have green lit three new kid’s shows…

Amazon has ordered three new original kids series, Dino Dana, The Kicks and Lost in Oz, as well as half-hour special Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas, to debut on its Prime Video platform.

All three series targeting kids six to 11 will be made available for Prime members in the US, UK, Germany and Austria in 2016, while Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas is slated to make its worldwide debut on Prime in the US on November 13.

Created and directed by J.J. Johnson (Dino Dan, Annedroids  ), Dino Dana is a follow-up to the 2015 Emmy award-winning series Dino Dan. Produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment partners J.J. Johnson, Blair Powers and Matthew Bishop, co-executive produced by Christin Simms (Dino Dan) and written by Johnson and Simms, the preschools series will feature 16 new prehistoric creatures, an adopted baby dino and two sisters.

Live actioner The Kicks, stars a young female soccer star who is uprooted to California midway through the school year and has to rise to the challenge after finding out her new team has been on a lengthy losing streak. Based on a book series by US Olympic gold medalist and current US Women’s National Team soccer player Alex Morgan, the project is executive produced by Full Fathom Five’s novelist James Frey (I Am Number Four) and Todd Cohen (Lumen), as well as Andrew Orenstein (Malcolm in the Middle).

Rounding out the trio of new series is animated action-adventure comedy, Lost in Oz. The series is set in the modern metropolitan Emerald City, where 12-year-old Dorothy Gale befriends the street-smart witch West and giant munchkin Ojo. Along with Dorothy’s dog Toto, the group sets out on an epic journey to help her get back to Kansas. Lost in Oz is developed and produced by Bureau of Magic’s Mark Warshaw, Darin Mark, Jared Mark, and Abram Makowka (East Los High, Smallville).

Finally, in Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas, Shaun accompanies the Farmer and Bitzer to a country fair, where he cleverly convinces the Farmer to buy three exotic llamas. However, Shaun soon find outs his new roomates are a bit too cozy in their new home, and he’s eventually forced to oust the intruders and save the farm.

The Aardman Animations special is written by Lee Pressman (Peter Rabbit), Richard Starzak (Shaun the Sheep) and Nick Vincent Murphy (Moone Boy), directed by Jay Grace (Shaun the Sheep,Creature Comforts) and produced by Paul Kewley and John Woolley (Shaun the Sheep).

No comments

Warcraft trailer

  By ,

Engadget is reporting a movie based on the successful World of Warcraft game series is coming to theatres next June which looks quite promising actually. It’s like Game of Thrones meet Lord of the Rings but with Hulk orcs!  Blizzard is busy!

Whether you’re a veteran World of Warcraft player, a Hearthstone newbie or someone who loves a great fantasy story, the trailer for Legendary Pictures’ Warcraft is captivating. Warcraftis due in theaters on June 10th. It’s Activision Blizzard’s first foray into movie-making — but it’s definitely not the last. The company today announced its own, in-house film and TV business,Activision Blizzard Studios. It’s already working on a Skylanders cartoon series and films based on the Call of Duty franchise. Warcraft doesn’t fall under this new studio’s umbrella.

No comments

“Skylanders Academy” to be Activision Blizzard Studios first TV series

  By

Skylanders-Academy

Mashable is reporting that “Skylanders Academy” is to be Activision Blizzard Studios first TV series.

Skylanders Academy is one of the first projects for Activision Blizzard Studios, the video game mega-publisher’s newly launched film/TV arms. There’s no premiere date to share just yet, nor are there details on the story or delivery mechanisms. We don’t know if this is going to be a standard network series, a Netflix/Hulu/Amazon play or something else entirely. But it’s being driven by an impressive set of talents.

The fictional location called “Skylanders Academy” debuted in the series’ 2014 game release, Skylanders: Trap Team. It served as a hub location where players could retire between levels, and in the series’ fiction it’s where Sidekicks go to train before they can become full-fledged Skylanders, protectors of the Skylands.

The showrunner seat is filled by Eric Rogers, who wrote for Futurama during both eras of its existence. Surrounding him is a cast that includes Justin Long (How to Train Your Dragon) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (Phineas and Ferb) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Eruptor and Norm Macdonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks, plus Harland Williams and Richard Horvitz in unspecified roles.

You can probably expect your first look at Skylanders Academy in early 2016, with Activision Blizzard targeting a mid-year premiere.

No comments

FINAL KIDSCREEN HOT50 RANKINGS ANNOUNCED

  By ,

Kidscreen-Hot-50

FINAL KIDSCREEN HOT50 RANKINGS ANNOUNCED!

Netflix, DHX Media, LEGO and Cartoon Network

all secure number-one spots

Toronto, October 28, 2015: Kidscreen is thrilled to announce the results of its Hot50 ranking of 2015’s leading companies in broadcasting, production, distribution, licensing and digital media.

These rankings were determined by vote, with all of Kidscreen’s 15,000+ magazine and newsletter subscribers invited to participate over a three-week period earlier this month. Here are the final results by category:

BROADCASTING

  1.  Netflix
  2. Cartoon Network US
  3. CBeebies
  4. PBS KIDS
  5. Disney Channel
  6. DHX Media
  7. Sprout
  8. KiKa
  9. Super RTL
  10. YTV

 

PRODUCTION

  1. Cartoon Network Studios
  2. 9 Story Media Group
  3. DreamWorks Animation Television
  4. DHX Media
  5. Sinking Ship Entertainment
  6. Animaccord Animation Studio
  7. Amazon Studios
  8. Breakthrough Entertainment
  9. Brown Bag Films
  10. Spin Master Entertainment

 

DISTRIBUTION

  1. DHX Media
  2. CAKE
  3. 9 Story Media Group
  4. Entertainment One (eOne)
  5. Sesame Workshop
  6. Nelvana Enterprises
  7. The Jim Henson Company
  8. PGS Entertainment
  9. Breakthrough Entertainment
  10. Saban Brands

 

LICENSING

  1. The LEGO Group
  2. Entertainment One Family (eOne Family)
  3. DHX Brands
  4. Nelvana Enterprises
  5. Sesame Workshop
  6. Saban Brands
  7. Wicked Cool Toys
  8. Zodiak Kids
  9. Budge Studios
  10. ITV Studios Global Entertainment

 

DIGITAL MEDIA

  1. Cartoon Network Digital
  2. Toca Boca
  3. DHX Media
  4. Sesame Workshop
  5. Hopster
  6. Rovio Entertainment
  7. DreamWorksTV
  8. Maker Studios
  9. Nelvana Digital
  10. National Geographic Kids

 

The top-ranked companies in each category will be formally inducted into the Kidscreen Hot50 Hall of Fame in a celebration to be held during Kidscreen Summit 2016 (February 8-11 • Miami, Florida).

And all of the Hot50 companies will be profiled in a special print issue due out on December 10 that will be mailed to Kidscreen’s full circulation list, plus distributed at NATPE and Kidscreen Summit in the new year.

Kidscreen will also showcase the Hot50 companies on a dedicated microsite for a full year, and then archive this content so it’s still searchable and accessible online.

For further details, please contact:

Janet Balmforth at DDA Blueprint PR

Tel: +44 (0) 208 868 0511 Email: janet@ddablueprint.com

No comments

9 Story Secures Multiple Sales for Emmy® Award-Winning Preschool Hit PEG + CAT

  By ,

PEG + CAT1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9 Story Secures Multiple Sales for Emmy® Award-Winning

Preschool Hit PEG + CAT

Toronto, Canada – September 24, 2015 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has secured multiple sales of the award-winning animated preschool series, Peg + Cat (80 x 12’). Leading Canadian preschool channel Treehouse acquired the second season to the series, while Super RTL (Germany) along with Canal+ Family and Piwi+ (France and French-speaking territories) picked up an additional 40 episodes of season one. A deal was also secured with Canadian-based GRICS, which licensed the first season for French speaking Canada. The series originally debuted onPBS Kids in the fall of 2013 and has won 4 Emmy® awards, including Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animation Program.

 

The series has also been licensed to Télé-Québec, TFO (Canada), Tiny Pop (UK), ABC TV Australia, TVNZ (New Zealand), TG4 (Ireland), Super RTL (Germany and German-speaking Europe),SVT (Sweden), YLE (Finland), RTP (Portugal), MiniMini (Poland), Telewizja Polska (Poland), Discovery Kids (Latin America), Beijing Sunshine Culture and Communication (China), MediaCorp(Singapore), PTS (Taiwan), Disney (Korea), Television Media Korea (South Korea), True Visions (Thailand), TV3 (Thailand), HOP! (Israel), E-Junior (UAE), MBC Kids (Middle East), and Zee Learn (Indian Subcontinent). Netflix holds SVOD rights for multiple territories while ABC Commercial (Australia), Nelvana (Canada), Sony Music (Germany) and PBS Home Entertainment (U.S.) hold home entertainment rights to the series.

The series follows the adorable spirited, Peg, and her sidekick, Cat, as they encounter unexpected problems that require fun and creative solutions. In order to solve the problems, Peg and Cat must add, subtract and apply basic arithmetic. Their adventures take them to historical far-away lands, art centers in bustling metropolises and the colorful cosmos, all the while demonstrating that it’s never too early to start learning the magic of numbers.

Peg + Cat is co-created and executive produced by Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) and co-produced by The Fred Rogers Company and 9 Story Media Group for PBS KIDS. Kevin Morrison of The Fred Rogers Company and Vince Commisso of 9 Story also serve as executive producers. 9 Story, which also handles international distribution, has secured distribution in 180 countries. HiHat Media is the licensing agent within the U.S. while 9 Story manages licensing for the brand internationally.

9 Story Media Group is a leading content creator, marketer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks, Arthur and Peg + Cat, 9 Story represents over 1,800 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms.  With one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 250 creative and production staff in its Toronto facility and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content. 9 Story recently acquired the award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films, which employs over 170 staff members across Dublin, Manchester and Los Angeles.  Brown Bag is recognized for producing leading animated children’s series such as Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing Bunny and Henry Hugglemonster.  9 Story is owned by senior management, ZMC, (Zelnick Media Capital) and media entrepreneur Neil Court.  www.9story.com

About The Fred Rogers Company

The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat and Odd Squad. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org.

No comments

Portfolio Entertainment Launches Animation Studio in Toronto, Canada

  By

Portfolio Entertainmment Animation Studio_Sept 2015_Email

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portfolio Entertainment Launches Animation Studio in Toronto, Canada

(September 21, 2015 – Toronto, Canada) – Producer and distributor Portfolio Entertainment is pleased to announce the launch of Portfolio Animation, a creative-driven animation studio equipped with top-tier talent, cutting-edge technology and commitment to excellence. The studio is part of Portfolio’s multi-faceted expansion plan that commenced in 2014 with the installation of a new senior management team to drive the company’s growth and diversification strategy.   

Situated in the creative hub of Toronto’s King West district, the new ultra-modern studio encompasses 9,000 square feet. Portfolio’s corporate office has also relocated to this facility.

The launch of Portfolio Animation builds on the company’s distinguished track record in production, distribution and brand-building of award-winning animation content, including international success stories, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and DOKI. Senior Vice President of Production Julie Stall is at the helm of the new studio, along with Head of Studio Operations Sonya Carey, while Dave Beatty is the Senior Producer and showrunner for the studio’s first series Freaktown.

Portfolio Animation has hit the ground running with three projects in its pipeline. The company is now meeting with co-producers and networks globally to bring more projects under its collaborative roof.

“We are very excited to be growing our core business with the launch of Portfolio Animation. What sets Portfolio Animation apart is our hand-picked team of extraordinary talent, booming energy and the company’s two decades of production and distribution experience. Our goal is to incubate creativity, foster collaboration and deliver incomparable content,” said Lisa Olfman, CEO and Co-Founder, Portfolio Entertainment. “Through innovation and playful experimentation, Julie, Dave and the in-house team of artists create, shape and realize a shared vision with each partner, while ensuring outstanding quality, value and efficiency.”

The studio’s concept development, design, storyboarding, animatic editing and full animation services are complemented by Portfolio’s distribution arm, which brings international sales and marketing expertise to each project and ensures global success beyond the first screen.

For Portfolio Animation inquiries, please email studioinfo@portfolio-ent.com.

 

About Portfolio Entertainment

Portfolio Entertainment produces and distributes kids, factual and unscripted entertainment to television and digital media content providers worldwide. With two decades of industry experience, the company has a vibrant, creative culture and an entrepreneurial edge. Portfolio’s most notable projects include the celebrated The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!; Freaktown, an entirely new property set to launch on Teletoon in 2016; the dogumentary For the Love of Dog; and the MOW Stolen Miracle. Pivotal since start-up, Portfolio’s international distribution division represents a diverse catalogue of original and third party programs and has earned a reputation for superior content, diligence and drive. Portfolio was founded by Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen and is based in Toronto, Canada. www.portfolioentertainment.com

Media Contact:

Roopa Shah

Communications

Portfolio Entertainment

rshah@portfolio-ent.com

(416) 856-2666