News snapshot: what you might have missed

Including Sesame Street returning to the UK on preschool channel Cartoonito.

Sesame Street is returning to the UK on preschool channel, Cartoonito. The new season launches on Monday November 7 and will air in 30-minute topic based episodes, with the aim being to make learning more meaningful by helping kids focus their attention and engage with each storyline. Cookie Monster will star in his own segment – Smart Cookies – while Elmo has moved to 123 Sesame Street, with his bedroom being the cornerstone of the building. Celebrities appearing will include Pharrell, Ne-Yo, Alan Cumming and Nick Jonas among others.

National Day Nurseries Association is joining forces with the Teletubbies preschool brand for two weeks of activity aimed at the under 5s. Special activities are planned from Monday October 31, including five days of themed activity in nurseries, online courses and activity packs for the Play and Learn with the Teletubbies initiative.

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom will make its broadcast debut in Canada on Monday October 24 on the Treehouse preschool network.

Hasbro has confirmed the 2017 return of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls. Season seven of Friendship is Magic is air in the spring on the Discovery Family Channel, while three new TV specials for Equestrian Girls are planned for later in the year.

Jumbo Games has signed up to create jigsaw puzzles for new Disney movie, Moana.

Rainbow and Simba Dickie Group are ready to launch the first products for live action girls’ series, Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends. The range of toys includes fashion arts and crafts, role-play, musical and electronic lines.

Sony Pictures Television Networks has taken a minority stake in Hopster, the preschool SVOD platform. Launched in December 2013, Hopster helps kids learns through the shows they love and is available in over 100 countries worldwide, as well as debuting on Apple TV last year. It is also ranked as the number one grossing preschool kids app in 24 countries.

Mattel Creations has secured an exclusive new deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for worldwide SVOD rights to the Barbie movie catalogue for the next seven years.

In addition, Mattel Creations has struck a deal with Tiny Pop for a second series of WellieWishers.

Studio 100 Media is to collaborate with Varta Consumer Batteries on Maya the Bee. Future collaborations will include nightlight and flashlights.

Zodiak Kids has sold over 70 hours of content to Amazon UK and Ireland and Germany, including series of Mister Maker, Waybuloo and Little Princess.

Elsewhere, Zodiak Kids has secured further sales for preschool show Floogals in Australia, Italy and Gaelic speaking UK.

The Fred Rogers Company has expanded its team with the appointment of Micah Southwood as licensing manager, a new position for the children’s entertainment company.

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