NBCUniveral

NBCUniversal International Networks has teamed up with Singaporean pay-TV provider Singtel to launch a 24-hour DreamWorks channel via Singtel TV and its video streaming app Singtel Cast. Starting June 1, content available on the channel will include Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny, Where’s Wally, as well as DreamWorks TV shows, including The Beat Goes On!, Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.

At the same time, the producer is heading across the pond and launching a pop-up channel with Australian network Foxtel. Under the deal, Foxtel customers will get access to DreamWorks’ catalogue of kids and family content starting June 1, until the end of the month.

SuperAwesome

Advertising holding company WPP has tapped kidtech company SuperAwesome to better help its cadre of agencies and client brands reach kids on the internet in safe and legal ways. As part of the partnership, SuperAwesome will support WPP’s clients, which includes Burger King, Colgate, Microsoft and Google, in their efforts to engage with kids in ways that don’t collect or save any personal data from them. SuperAwesome will also share its insight tools, as well as its kids-safe platform and team.

Through the pandemic, almost half of the world’s children spending more than 50% more time on screens, according to SuperAwesome. At the same time, kids make up 40% of all new internet users, the company finds. As a result, it’s important that companies are aware of how to be a safe and trusted digital experience for kids, unless it wants to risk fines for violating children’s privacy laws.

Cosmos-Maya

Animation studio Cosmo-Maya will adapt popular film franchise Dabangg from fellow Indian studio Arbaaz Khan Productions. Cosmos-Maya studio will produce two 52 x 30-minute seasons this year and in 2021, with no delivery date announced yet.

The Dabangg franchise spans three live-action films, which have grossed more than US$92 million worldwide, and is a popular property in India, according to Cosmos-Maya. The show will track the day to day life of a police officer and his friends who stands up to evil while often finding themselves in comedic situations.

Magic Star

Sony Music UK’s children’s and family entertainment label Magic Star is partnering with European toy retailer Smyths Toys on a wide-ranging recording deal and brand partnership for Smyth’s character Oscar.

Oscar is a helpful human doll who lives in the Smyth stores and helps showcase different toys. He’s previously been featured in Smyth’s animated ads and promotions, alongside characters including Toy Story’s Buzz and Woody.

Under the new deal, the companies will produce media licensing, original animated video content, third-party brand partnerships and consumer products. London-based Blackbook Music, which brokered the deal, will also produce an album.

Sony Music UK officially launched the kids record label this past October. Sony expanded into the category after seeing the success Sony Music Germany had with family-focused audio content, as well as noting a big growth in kids audio consumption in the UK, Will Speer, the head of the label previously told Kidscreen.

TFO

French-Canadian pubcaster TFO has picked up Canadian producer GAPC Entertainment’s live-action preschool series Es-tu prêt? (Are you ready?). The 40 x two-and-a-half minute educational show will debut on TFO’s website on June 6, alongside a 15-minute-long birthday-themed special, which it will air on its linear channel.

In the educational show, kids show preschoolers how to perform daily tasks that range from climbing the stairs to brushing their teeth. In the birthday-themed special Es-tu prêt pour une fêt? (Are you ready for a party?), kids show how to make and wrap gifts, put up decorations and clean up responsibly. Filmed in Ottawa, the series is produced in association with TFO with financial participation from the Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund.