The newly rebranded Universal Products and Experiences is celebrating its successful entry into the preschool space with DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse.
The combined animation and live action series has racked up impressive viewing figures since it debuted on Netflix and YouTube last year.
Devised by Blue’s Clues veterans Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, the show sees presenter Gabby unboxing a new surprise each episode, then magically shrinking to join her miniature feline friends Pandy Paws, MerCat, Cakey Cat and more on a fun adventure in the dollhouse.
Global monthly views on the show’s YouTube channel, Gabby & Friends, averaged more than 18 million throughout 2021, while the series also featured in Netflix’s Global Hours Viewed Top 10 for the second half of that year.
The free to air roll out is now underway across EMEA with the series having just launched on Cartoonito in Italy in September. It will make its free to air debut on Tiny Pop in the UK on 17 October and on Clan in Spain later this year.
“We’re delighted with Gabby’s Dollhouse,” began Paul Bufton, vp EMEA at UP&E. “It’s evidence of our ability to launch a new property into a sector that is completely new to us and produce something fresh and original that has really captured the imagination of younger kids – and appeals to their parents, too.
“The show is a mix of all the things preschoolers adore – unboxing, miniature worlds, cute cats – and it’s full of joy, colour, good vibes and catchy songs, with plenty of positive messaging around solving problems, teamwork and friendship.”
The toy line from master toy licensee Spin Master – which includes play-sets, plush and collectables – has already proved a hit in the UK market, with retailer Smyths bringing forward its Gabby’s Dollhouse launch to June this year to meet overwhelming customer demand and Argos listing the Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse in its Top 15 Toys for Christmas list.
Plans are currently in motion to expand Gabby’s Dollhouse into new international markets and categories including fashion, home and publishing among others.
Paul continued: “Parents and preschoolers have really fallen in love with Gabby and her cat friends, and we’re so excited to watch the brand grow and thrive. It’s a fantastic first step on our journey in the preschool category, and there’s so much more to come.”
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