Pink Parrot Media

Quebec-based distributor Pink Parrot Media has inked a first UK broadcast deal for preschool series Snowsnaps (pictured) from Montreal’s Carpediem Film & TV.

UK broadcaster Sky picked up the 26 x 11-minute animated adventure series, which premiered in the UK on Sky Kids and VOD platform NOW TV on January 15.

Snowsnaps, which 0riginally premiered in the US on Disney Junior in late 2020, is a spinoff of Carpediem’s animated film Snowtime and tracks a group best of friends who play outside in the snow. Marie-Claude Beauchamp created the series, which Carpediem produced in collaboration with Montreal-based animation studio Singing Frog. The show has already been picked up by Canal+ (France), YLE (Finland), KiKA (Germany) and ERR (Estonia).

Monster Entertainment

Irish distributor Monster Entertainment has added London-based FuturumKids’ CG-animated series Paddles to its catalogue. Monster will handle global distribution for the 52 x 11-minute comedy (excluding South Korea, where it’s managed by local distributor Neon), which targets four- to seven-year-olds and stars a polar bear cub who is raised by wolfhounds and learns that being different is a good thing.

Cartoonito UK has already picked up the series, and FuturumKids is planning to push it into market with an e-commerce venture focused on plush.

Guru Studio

Toronto’s Guru Studio has tapped UK-based licensing agency bRAND-WARD to represent Pikwik Pack (52 x 11 minutes) in the UK and Ireland. The licensing agent will be responsible for inking CP deals in categories including toys, apparel, publishing, party decorations and live events.

Pikwik Pack is about a group of animals who run a parcel delivery service. Disney Junior in the US and Canada’s Treehouse premiered the series in November, and it’s scheduled to air on broadcasters Super RTL (Germany), Canal Panda (Portugal), HOP (Israel) and Minimini+ (Poland) throughout 2021. Guru previously tapped bRAND-WARD to represent its flagship series True and the Rainbow Kingdom.  

NHK

Japanese pubcaster NHK has ordered Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House from Japanese animation studio J.C. Staff. The 12-episode animated series for tweens is based on the manga Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san by Koyama Sai. Premiering February 25, Kiyo in Kyoto follows two teens who leave their hometown to become famous entertainers. Production and distribution arm NHK Enterprises is handling the show’s global distribution.

Imira Entertainment

Spanish prodco Imira has sold its animated series Darwin & Newts to Da Vinci Kids, which picked up both the first season and a second season that’s currently in production. It will launch on kids SVOD Azoomee and the Da Vinci Kids channel that’s currently available in more than 100 countries through connected TVs, linear channel and mobile.

Targeting four to sevens, Darwin & Newts (40 x 11 minutes) centers on two siblings who discover basic science and engineering principles while exploring the world.