New York-based digital media company Zash Global Media and Entertainment has acquired the US rights to Canadian kids series The Thrillusionists and plans to create a longer American version.

Toronto-based 5’7 Films and Canadian pubcaster CBC Kids produced the original scripted/reality live-actioner for tweens in a 10 x five-minute format. It premiered on CBC’s linear channel in 2018 and features kid magicians performing tricks for real-life celebrities.

For the US adaptation, Zash will create 10 or 15 half-hour episodes showcasing a brand-new batch of young magicians, and is currently seeking US broadcast partners, according to co-founder Ted Farnsworth (pictured). 

Zash’s Marc Sternberg (The Girl Next Door) and Brad Kreisberg (Hell’s Kitchen) are producing the new series, which doesn’t have a set delivery date yet.

The Thrillusionists marks a first foray into kids TV for Zash, which has traditionally focused on influencer outreach and marketing to build up its digital media business. This format is a good first kids project for the company because its has proven success on CBC and strong co-viewing appeal, says Farnsworth.

The series is also part of a larger original content push for Zash, which had just one credit under its belt (the documentary Chicago: America’s Hidden War) until recently. Last week, the company unveiled its first slate of projects, including adult-skewing dating show Love is Blurred and Millennium Penthouse Dance Party. 

Zash isn’t moving away from its digital media roots entirely. It plans to stream its version of The Thrillusionists (as well as its other reality shows) on its Lomotif video sharing platform.

Zash acquired Lomotif in June with the goal of competing with TikTok. It plans to expand the social media app in the US, using its original content push to help drive new subscribers, says Farnsworth. Originally launched in 2014 in Singapore, Lomotif is available through the Apple Store and Google Play, and has amassed more than 225 million users, according to Farnsworth. Zash previously used the app to live-stream music events and launch a talent discovery competition, the winner of which landed a record deal with producer Teddy Riley.