Family entertainment producer and distributor Chorion is ramping up the consumer products presence of Spot across the US, Europe and Japan in honor of preschool literary character’s 30th anniversary.

In the US, BBC America released Where’s Spot? on DVD in April and will release additional titles, Spot Goes to School in August and Spot’s Magical Christmas in October. New licensing deals have also been inked with Andover Fabric, Starry Story Art, Meri Meri and the Zoobies, while the Spot Zoobie will be featured on QVC for Christmas in July. Meanwhile, master toy licensee Kids Preferred is expanding its Spot product line to include puzzles, backpacks, bath toys and wooden toys for roll-out in 2011.

In the UK, Abbey Home Media launched a special edition 30th anniversary DVD in March. The Spot TV series began broadcasting on CITV in April 2010 with further episodes scheduled to air in June. Master toy licensee, Rainbow Designs will introduce an expanded range of products including puzzles and wooden toys for 2011.

Additional book titles for Spot from Warne include a 30th anniversary special edition of Where’s Spot?, along with other gift titles. New publishing formats, touch and feel books, plush sets and an 18-button sound book are planned for the Holiday season.

Spot plush through Australian master toy licensee Jasnor launched in Japan this year and new licensing partner Skillman will be creating personalized products.

Spot the inquisitive puppy first appeared in Eric Hill’s original Where’s Spot? in 1980 and has since sold roughly 50 million books and has a global licensing program that includes toys, apparel, gifts and DVD.