One-liners: Noteworthy news nuggets

• Nicktoons Network is set to launch animated series Speed Racer: The Next Generation on May 2 at 7 p.m. The 90-minute Friday-night premiere event will build an audience for the new franchise just prior to a Lionsgate DVD release on May 6 and the rollout of the Warner Bros. live-action feature film directed by The Wachowski Brothers on May 9.

• BBC Worldwide has named Underground Toys as its licensee in North America and the UK for Torchwood, which is a sci/fi series originally commissioned by the BBC. Underground will take over the international distribution of existing Torchwood product, as well as manufacturing new lines including mugs, key chains, voice key chains, plastic prop replica items, playing cards and resin busts that will ship to accounts in the US and UK markets this summer.