Nickelodeon

The kidsnet has picked up an hour-long musical special called California Dreaming (pictured) from Atlanta-based Swirl Films that aired on December 16. The live-action film revolves around a group of young musicians who audition to attend a prestigious performing arts school. Swirl produced the special, with Tedder and Simon Fuller (American Idol) as executive producers. EP Matt Stawski (Side Effects) directed, with Nickelodeon’s Shauna Phelan and Zack Olin overseeing production. And Laura Courtie served as Nick’s executive in charge of production.

Down under, Nickelodeon Australia has teamed up with travel company Travlr to launch Nickelodeon Travel for kids and families. The site highlights events and destinations in Australia and New Zealand, and includes deals for family-friendly trips. The companies formed the partnership to tap into a growing market of parents who are eager to start travelling again after 18 months of lockdowns, according to a release.

Toca Boca

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty brand is currently being featured in the Toca Life World app, a sandbox game that allows users to design their own character and house, and explore a large open world. More than 100 Hello Kitty and Friends furniture pieces and decorations have already been added to the app, which users can purchase US$3.

Toca Life World has more than 50 million monthly users and has been downloaded more than 400 million times in 238 markets, according to Toca Boca owner Spin Master.

WildBrain 

The Teletubbies have booked a reservation in Habbo and Hotel Hideaway. As part of a new deal between WildBrain and Amsterdam-based gameco Azerion, users will be able to use in-game currency to purchase virtual products such as apparel for their avatars and furniture for their personalized rooms. Habbo is a social-gaming platform with players from 150 countries, and Hotel Hideaway is a 3D role-playing game in which users can create events and meet up with each other digitally.

Licensing agent WildBrain CPLG and Bare Tree Media—Teletubbies’ digital licensing partner—brokered the partnership.

Age of Learning 

The LA-based edtech company’s ABCmouse learning program is expanding into educational toys and consumer products for the first time through a new agreement with Licensing Street. Licensing Street will serve as the brand’s North American licensing agent and roll out products online and in retail stores across the US. ABCmouse teaches kids ages two to eight about subjects including math, literacy and science.