Including Universal Pictures making its movies available in the home on the same day as the global theatrical releases.
Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
NBCUniversal has confirmed that Universal Pictures will make its movies available in the home on the same day as the global theatrical releases, with current circumstances making it more challenging for consumers to view films outside of the home. Beginning with DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour, the company will also make movies that are currently in theatrical release available on-demand, starting as early as Friday March 20.
Rainbow‘s preschool show 44 Cats is continuing to build in the UK. The first season began airing on Pop TV, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. Too in 2019 and now consumer products are beginning to hit shelves, thanks to deals secured by Lisle Licensing. TDP Textiles and Aykroyds have created a nightwear collection, official toy partner Simba Dickie’s Siso Toys began distributing its range in February, while other partners include John Toys, Amscan, Sony Music, Dreamtex, Redan Publishing, Fashion UK, Ravensburger, Clementoni, Chicco and Bip.
ViacomCBS and Sky have revealed their first co-production partnership, for Magic Light Pictures‘ new preschool animation, Pip and Posy. The show will premiere on Channel 5’s Milkshake and be available on demand on Sky Kids in early 2021. It will then also air on Nick Jr. a year later.
In light of growing concerns and risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, the Licensing Leadership Summit has been rescheduled for November 5 and 6. The event – which was originally due to take place on March 16 and 17 – will still be held at the same location, the Hilton Midtown Manhattan in New York. Speakers from Netflix, Buzzfeed, MoMA and more have confirmed their continued participation.
Universal Brand Development has teamed with Smyths Toy Superstores for a new retail marketing initiative around the Jurassic World franchise. The campaign launched with a special screening of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at The Vaults in London, with the event featuring immersive activities and the opportunity to play with new products from the cross-category CP programme. The soiree was co-hosted by YouTubers Gorgeous Movies who took over the Smyths Instagram account, posting live updates using the #EnterJurassicWorld hashtag.
WildBrain CPLG is expanding its commercial sales department in Germany with two new hires. Sarah Rosenstock has been appointed as commercial director, while Lisa Gruczek joins the team as senior sales manager.
Guru Studio‘s Netflix Original series, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, is returning to the streaming service on March 27 with a new Easter-themed special. Entitled Wuzzle Wegg Day, the 22-minute special follows on from successful Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving episodes.
Media group Egmont continued its growth in 2019, with revenue increasing by €79 million to €1.7 billion. The growth came from TV, streaming, computer games and e-commerce. Steffen Kragh, ceo and president, commented: “I’m delighted to report another year of solid growth and an overall strong result thanks to the great efforts of our many competent employees. We are innovative, and at the same time successful with our quality-based publishing, journalism and storytelling. Looking into 2020, we are like the rest of society very affected by the present COVID-19 crisis and concerned by the well-being of our employees, and that society and we as a company get well through this crisis.”
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