Ryan Tuchow & Cole Watson

Madgic to cast a sales spell for CBeebies series Football Fantastics

EXCLUSIVE: The Paris-based distributor has acquired TV sales rights to Strike’s live-action CBeebies series Football Fantastics (10 x 15 minutes). This scripted comedy, which premiered in July, is about six kids who get together every weekend to play soccer. The enduring appeal of sports programming is what drew Madgic to the title, and there’s also an opportunity to tap into market momentum brewing around the FIFA World Cup this summer, says Madgic Distribution’s MD Lionel Marty. 

Acamar Films secures new broadcast deals for Bing 

The CG-animated preschool series is extending its reach across LatAm, Africa and Europe with three new broadcasting sales. Free-to-air channel Azteca 7 will air the toon across Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, while eToonz in South Africa does the same to reach more than four million households. And finally, Germany’s independent kids streamer Kixi has picked up new German-language dubs of 52 Bing episodes and a 22-minute Christmas special. 

Moose Toys announces a slime collab for KPop Demon Hunters

The Aussie toyco and Netflix are working together on a range of Gui Gui multi-sensory slime inspired by the leading ladies of the fictional band Huntr/x and their award-winning song “Golden”. The KPDH-branded goo will hit shelves worldwide in June, with each SKU featuring a unique texture, scent and mix-in charms tied to Rumi, Mira and Zoey. 

Palworld is getting its first trading card game

Japanese board game manufacturer Bushiroad has teamed up with Pocketpair to develop a TCG based on its controversial flagship video game Palworld that will roll out to retailers worldwide on July 30. The Palworld Official Card Game charges players with using their Pal cards to gather resources, build up base defenses and defeat their opponents’ monsters to win the game. A first booster set will feature newly created artwork when it launches in English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese editions. 

Paladone to bring its licensed lifestyle products into the US 

The UK-based gift manufacturer has expanded its licensing agreement with NBCUniversal to also cover the US market. Paladone will roll out licensed lighting fixtures, drinkware, homeware and health & beauty products to American retailers later this year. The company’s portfolio of kids brands includes Shrek, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Minions, Jurassic World and How to Train Your Dragon. 

Sticki Rolls picks up a Minecraft license

LA-based toyco Sky Castle has inked a deal with Mojang to develop a collection of more than 600 Minecraft-branded Sticki Rolls collectible stickers. Encompassing backpack clips, mystery capsules and the first licensed edition of the Sticki Book binder, these new products will launch across the US this fall. 

NERF collides with One Piece 

Hasbro has joined forces with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios to manufacture a line of blasters and role-play gear based on the live-action adaptation of One Piece. The Going Merry NERF Blaster launched at Target today, and Hasbro will expand the line into Walmart on March 22, adding three role-play foam katanas used by the Straw Hat Pirates’ iconic swordsman Zoro.