Kids round-up: Super RTL inks Moonbug deal; Zigazoo gains $4m capital funding; TVOkids makes BGM double order  

CoComelon

Super RTL inks Moonbug deal

German FTA linear children’s network Super RTL has acquired global pre-school hit CoComelon, and a number of other series, in a wide-reaching deal struck with London-and-LA-based kids content company Moonbug Entertainment.

Moonbug shows, also including Little Baby Bum, Go Buster and Playtime with Twinkle, will be brought to German-speaking markets, in countries including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, through the Super RTL linear channel and digital platforms.

Super RTL will also act as the licensing agent for CoComelon, including the representation of merchandising rights in those GSA territories.

“This partnership is a milestone for Moonbug,” said Nicolas Eglau, MD EMEA & APAC at Moonbug.  “Super RTL is the leading linear kids channel in Germany, they understand like no one else how to grow brands across their incredibly successful platforms. Together we will make CoComelon a leading local blockbuster.”

Jimmy Kimmel

Zigazoo gains $4m capital funding

US-based kids free social streaming app Zigazoo has successfully completed a $4m seed funding round, led by MaC Venture Capital.

The capital will support Zigazoo’s goals as the company “looks to flip the children’s media script and turn streaming into social experiences where kids are in the director’s chair.”

High-profile investors attracted in this round included Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures, Brent Montgomery and Jimmy Kimmel’s Wheelhouse and Talis Capital.

Gabby’s Farm

TVOkids makes BGM double order

Canada’s TVOkids has ordered Gabby’s Farm, a new preschool series from local Sphere Media-owned BGM, with the channel also commissioning a second season of BGM’s Backyard Beats.

The 30 x 7-minute Gabby’s Farm guides young viewers through the world of farming and agriculture, encouraging their curiosity about nature, food, animal care and more. The series is hosted by Gabby, an adventurous six-year-old girl who’s passionate about farming, her family, and learning about all about the exciting things that happen on the farm.

Gabby’s Farm will be accompanied by the short-form series Count with Gabby! (20 x 2-minutes), which explores Gabby’s love of math and counting while exploring the farm. 

“We are excited for Gabby’s Farm to premiere on TVOkids, and can’t wait to introduce everyone to Gabby, her family and her farm friends,” said TVO’s director of kids TV, Marney Malabar. 

Gabby’s Farm is set to debut on TVOkids and the TVOkids YouTube channel starting 17 May 17, while season two of Backyard Beats will premiere late Fall 2021.

Nate Is Late

Kids First lands first China deals in global sales

Paris-based children’s entertainment content distribution company Kids First, has secured a raft of VOD deals across its catalogue of titles, including its first key partnerships in China.

Chinese SVOD platform Tencent has picked up rights to Nate Is Late and Best Bugs Forever, while Nate Is Late has also been picked up by Chinese IPTV platform Puxin.

In North America, AVOD platform AMEBA has secured Nate Is Late, Rocky Kwaterner and Max & Maestro and Marblegen. AVOD platforms Kidoodle and Kidstream have both picked up Nate Is Late, with Kidstream also set to air Rocky Kwaterner, Best Bugs Forever and I, Elvis Riboldi.

In France, Kids First has sold Nate Is Late, Rocky Kwaterner and Marblegen to SVOD platform OCS; while Netflix has picked up Nate Is Late for France, the UK, Ireland and Benelux and Marblegen for France and Benelux.

“We are thrilled to have secured our first deals in China and look forward to children across the territory watching some great animation produced by some of the leading producers in Europe,” commented Philippe Alessandri, CEO of Kids First. “Our slate of children’s titles have genuine international appeal demonstrated by the breadth of new VOD deals signed globally with key platforms.”

Clangers

Jetpack sends ‘Clangers’ worldwide

Kids and family content distributor Jetpack Distribution has struck deals across Europe and Asia for Coolabi Group’s preschool shows Clangers.

ZDF has acquired all three seasons of the stop motion animated show, which will air on its service and on German free to air children’s channel KIKA. The show will also be available through their online platforms including FVOD channel ZDFtivi.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s national public broadcaster Mediacorp has taken in the exclusive free TV rights for seasons two and three, while the Czech Republic’s public service broadcaster Ceska Televize has paid for the exclusive free TV rights for season three.

Slovenia’s nationwide public broadcaster RTVS has renewed the free TV rights for season one, while Croatian channel HRT has bought the free TV and VOD rights for season one.