ChuChu TV Studios

The Indian prodco has just inked a deal to have New York’s Janson Media distribute its catalogue of YouTube-first specials and series primarily to global VOD platforms. ChuChu will also work with Janson to repackage/expand short animated videos such as Nursery Rhymes, Surprise Eggs and Story Time as full-length videos and series. @ChuChuTV on YouTube channel has 62 million subscribers, and, according to the company, the brand’s entire YouTube family of channels has 120 million combined followers. 

Sesame Workshop

South Asian kidtech company In KidZ has partnered with the Workshop to produce Sesame Street-branded activity boxes. Aimed at kids ages three to nine, they will contain coloring books, activity books, puzzles and figures related to a variety of themes, such as vacations and cooking. The boxes will be available on In KidZ’s website and in US retail stores this fall.

Sky Castle Toys

The American toyco and Character Options in the UK have done a deal with Marvel that will introduce Spider-Man, the Hulk and Captain America to Sky Castle’s DoodleJamz brand. This product range features boards with small gel-filled balls inside that kids can move and shape into whatever they want, guided by optional image inserts that can feature licensed characters. The Marvel DoodleJamz will be available in US stores starting in March, and then will roll out internationally in August.

Radar Pictures

Famous turtle Lonesome George (pictured) is getting a CG-animated movie treatment. The LA-based studio behind Jumanji and Miami’s 8th Gear Entertainment have teamed up to produce the new film, which will target family audiences. It follows along as the giant Galapagos Islands turtle—the last of his species—embarks on an adventure to find others like him. The film will also highlight the perils of climate change and their impact on wildlife like George.