CBBC 

The Beeb’s core kids channel has acquired UK broadcast rights to Studio Ghibli’s Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter from London-based distributor Serious Kids, and plans to air the 2D/CG-animated series this summer.

A co-production with The Astrid Lindgren Company, NHK/NHK Enterprises, Dwango and Polygon Pictures, the show is based on Astrid Lindgren’s 1981 fantasy novel Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter, which was originally published in Swedish, and has since inspired a film, a musical theater production and an anime series (2004).

Cartoon Saloon

The Irish studio’s brand development division has inked several licensing deals for its Irish Folklore Trilogy, which features animated movies WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells.

These new consumer products partners include Little Brown Books for Young Readers,Xist Publishing, Pinfinity, Cubles and Gallery Nucleus.

The three films were repackaged together in a special-edition Blu-ray box set that was released last year by GKids and Shout Factory in North America and Studio Canal Home Entertainment in Ireland and the UK. It will also roll out in Japan this summer.

Boat Rocker 

Three new licensing agents have been signed to handle the expansion of Boat Rocker’s consumer products program for preschool series Dino Ranch in Latin America. Doce will handle the IP in Chile and Peru,  with IMC taking on Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and Tycoon Enterprises assigned to Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean and Central America.

Boat Rocker already has five licensees secured in the region, including Wabro for school products and Meily for accessories and footwear. And the company has also launched a Spanish-language Dino Ranch YouTube channel for audiences in Central and South America.

WildBrain

The Canadian prodco has sold 2D-animated series Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City (38 x eight minutes) to US streamers Peacock, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video and Crave.

WildBrain’s Family Channel is currently airing the series and will be the exclusive home for the new specials in Canada.

And in licensing news, textile company Bentex (girls apparel and swimwear), Spirit Halloween (costumes and dress-up) and Boss Fight Studio (fully articulated and scented figures) have all joined the brand’s consumer products program.

Superights 

The Paris-based distributor is now representing 2D-animated preschool series Momolu and Friends (78 x seven minutes) (pictured) outside of German-speaking territories, Finland, Norway, Benelux and Canada.

A co-pro from Finnish studio Ferly, Vancouver-based Yellow Animation and Belgium’s Digital Graphics, the toon has already spawned a range of ebooks and audiobooks, as well as a Nintendo Switch video game title. And a toy line from Hong Kong-based United Smile is currently in the works.

Bluey

Party City, Horizon Group and Fathead have joined the North American consumer products program for Bluey, bringing arts-and-crafts products, wall graphics and balloons into the licensing mix.

South of the border, Penguin Random House will handle publishing for the IP in Latin America starting in June, with Novelty Corp launching new assortments of Bluey party goods.

Four new licensees have been signed in the UK: Spin Master (wooden puzzles), 8th Wonder (wooden toys), Moonpig (cards and gifting) and Drew Pearson (accessories). And an existing UK deal with Ravensburger for games is expanding to also cover France, Italy and the Nordic region.