Kids round-up: Cyber Group, Future Today tie up for kids’ app; Happy Films takes ‘Bookaboo’ to Russia

Cyber Group Studios has entered a partnership with multi-platform distribution company Future Today to launch YayToons, a free app that features animated content for children aged 3-8.

Cyber Group titles to appear on the app will include The Bellflower Bunnies, Mini Ninjas, Mirette Investigates, The Pirates Next Door, Adam’s Bakery, Zou, Balloopo, Mia, Leo The Wildlife Ranger, Tales of Tatonka, Adam’s Bakery and Animalia, with more to come.

“We are thrilled to have an OTT platform to showcase our animated series that are enjoyed by kids worldwide under the new Cyber Group Studios brand YayToons, and also to have a great partner in Future Today,” says Richard Goldsmith, CEO and president, Cyber Group Studios USA.

Vikrant Mathur, co-founder of Future Today, added: “YayToons guarantees something for all kids with exciting magical adventures where you can battle alongside Mini Ninjas, hang out with a family of zebras on Zou, learn about animals with Leo the Wildlife Ranger, and much much more, and we are thrilled to be in partnership with Cyber Group Studios to utilise distribution capabilities to bring this valuable branded content to numerous OTT platforms.”

Happy Films sells ‘Bookaboo’ to Russia

UK production company Happy Films has struck its first international format sale for Emmy-nominated title Bookaboo to Russian children’s company StoryTime.

StoryTime have produced the show for Russia’s largest state children’s TV channel Carousel and SVOD service START.

The 12 x 12-minute series is the first international format commissioned by Carousel and START’s first original children’s production in partnership with the broadcaster.

Designed to encourage a love of book sharing, the show features world-famous rock puppy, Bookaboo, who tours the globe with his band playing to adoring fans with just one hitch: he just can’t play without a story a day. Luckily celebrity guests drop backstage to share their favourite picture books and coax him back to his drums.

The original UK-produced show has garnered five daytime Emmy nominations, two BAFTA awards and an international Prix Jeunesse award. It has featured international celebrities including Michael Sheen, Paula Abdul, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Meatloaf, Antonio Brown and Mel C.

The Russian adaptation of the show includes footage, animation and books from the original series read by leading Russian celebrities including actors Andrey Burkovskiy and Olga Shelest.

Lucy Goodman CEO of Happy Films said: “Format production is an exciting next step in Bookaboo’s international journey. It has been hugely rewarding to work with StoryTime’s talented production team. They have expertly adapted Bookaboo, making it totally bespoke and highly relevant for their audience.”

Julia Mindubaeva CEO of StoryTime added: “I am pleased that, with START and Carousel, we are able to bring to Russian audiences a format already admired by parents and children internationally. Bookaboo delivers something different and refreshing for Russian audiences and we hope to encourage families to share more books together.”

Superights adds new titles to catalogue

The distributor will now sell Zibilla (1 x 26’), from Swiss producer Nadasdy Films, and preschool series Ralph and The Dinosaurs (26 x 5’) – which will both be introduced at MIPTV.

It will also bring live-action series Doopie (26 x 7’) to market, by Dutch studio Submarine.

Zibilla is about a little zebra’s arrival in a new school and how she meets an unusual lion.

The edutainment series Ralph and the Dinosaurs follows the adventures of Ralph the dog, in the world of dinosaurs explaining to the kids the different dinosaurs’ species and their lifestyle.

While Doopie, is a plush toy who lives in a store, goes out into the world, full of enthusiasm. Every day, he meets other children, with whom he has all kinds of adventures.

“What a pleasure to welcome these new heroes in our catalogue! With their different styles, they perfectly fulfil Superights line-up,” said Nathalie Pinguet, Superights’ deputy general manager.