BBC Studios and Penguin Random House are continuing their successful book publishing deal for Bluey, inking a multi-year global renewal.
The renewed partnership sees Penguin Random House secure rights for all languages in the UK, US and Rest of World excluding Australia, New Zealand and China, each of which have their own Penguin Random House contracts with BBC Studios.
Ladybird – an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s UK – has been publishing Bluey since 2021 and has sold over two million books in the UK through TCM. Bluey made the top 20 children’s chart 15 times in 2023 and the top 20 preschool chart 105 times and featured every single week of 2023.
Upcoming titles from Ladybird include the first Bluey lift-the-flap formats, a Jigsaw Puzzle Book and Where’s Bluey? at Christmas.
Meanwhile, Penguin Young Readers began publishing Bluey in the US in October 2020, and in EMEA, Penguin Random House Children’s UK-based Rights team has sub-contracted 22 foreign language translation deals for Bluey books on behalf of BBC Studios.
“The success of Bluey is down to its exceptional storytelling, which clearly distinguishes it from so many other children’s brands,” commented Francesca Dow, md at Penguin Random House Children’s UK. “Play and family fun is at the centre of every story, but real-life emotions and challenges are subtly addressed too. A preschool TV show which can capture the hearts of adults as well as children is a truly rare thing and we’re proud to be a part of bringing those stories to an even wider audience through our books.”
Leanne Gill, publishing director for Licensing at Penguin Random House Children’s UK, added: “We are delighted to be continuing our global partnership with BBC Studios on the absolute phenomenon that is Bluey. Hilarious and heartfelt storytelling is at the very core of the brand, so we and our partners at Penguin Workshop in the US can’t wait to keep bringing these stories to life on the page through a variety of engaging picture books, fun family activities and innovative novelty formats.”
The landmark extension with Penguin Random House follows hot on the heels of BBC Studios renewal with master toy licensee Moose Toys in May, and precedes the international debut of the second batch of Bluey Minisodes to be released in October on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for audiences in Australia, and on Disney Jr. and Disney+ for the rest of the world.
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