HALIFAX,
NS, June 24, 2022 /CNW/ - WildBrain Ltd.
("WildBrain" or the "Company") (TSX: WILD), a global
leader in kids' and family entertainment, has partnered with
NBCUniversal's streaming platform, Peacock, to produce 52 new
11-minute episodes of the beloved animated series, Caillou.
In addition, Peacock will become the home for five previously
announced 44-minute Caillou family specials, currently in
production.
"We're delighted to join with Peacock to expand the
Caillou universe," said Josh
Scherba, President of WildBrain. "This is yet another
example of how we're reinvigorating treasured brands from our
evergreen library. For over 25 years, preschoolers have connected
with Caillou because they can see themselves in these highly
relatable stories. Caillou is a kid just like them, facing everyday
problems and learning about the world around him. With a new look
and stories where Caillou explores the world through wonderful
flights of imagination, Caillou is better than ever. We're
confident that today's kids—and their families—are going to love
it."
"We are overjoyed to work with the team at WildBrain for a new
CG-animated version of the beloved Caillou series that won
over the hearts of young audiences from around the world," said
Kristofer Updike, Vice President,
Kids Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. "Peacock is
committed to enriching the minds of a new generation to promote
emotional expression, creative thinking and dreaming big. We can't
wait for parents and their kids to see these pivotal themes come to
life in Caillou and in all of Peacock's kids'
offerings."
The new Caillou series continues to explore the daily
life of an imaginative and curious four-year-old boy, who—like most
preschoolers—is learning and growing a little more each day and
doesn't usually get things right on the first try, despite his best
efforts. Through the support and encouragement of his parents,
friends and neighbours—as well as through marvelous adventures in
his very active imagination—Caillou reaches new understandings and
discoveries as he learns to never give up and keep pursuing his
goals until he succeeds.
The five new Caillou specials provide perfect occasions
for preschool-friendly event viewing throughout the year:
Christmas, Halloween, Celebration of Family, Summer Vacation and
even tackling the important topic of bullying. Each story will push
further into the rich imaginative potential of Caillou's inner
world than ever before. By telling bigger stories, we get a better
understanding of Caillou's struggles and victories, with the
ultimate satisfaction of knowing things are always wrapped up in a
happy ending.
Adored by preschool kids aged 2-5, WildBrain's Caillou is
one of the world's most popular animated kids' shows, having been
viewed in over 140 countries worldwide. Originally created in
Canada in 1997 and based on a
series of bestselling children's books inspired by the work of
French child psychiatrist Dr. Françoise Dolto, Caillou is
rooted in fostering healthy childhood development, imagination,
curiosity and emotional growth.
The existing Caillou content library of 234 classic 2D
episodes and five digital-first seasons remains enormously popular
on streaming and broadcast platforms worldwide. On WildBrain's own
premium AVOD network on YouTube, WildBrain Spark, Caillou is
the number-one property, having garnered more than 73 billion
minutes of watch time in 21 languages. WildBrain manages global
distribution rights for all Caillou content.
For more information, please
contact:
Media: Shaun Smith - Director,
Corporate & Trade Communications, WildBrain
shaun.smith@wildbrain.com
+1 416-977-7230
Investor Relations: Nancy Chan-Palmateer - Director,
Investor Relations, WildBrain
nancy.chanpalmateer@wildbrain.com
+1 416-977-7358
About WildBrain
At WildBrain we inspire imaginations to run wild, engaging kids
and families everywhere with great content across all media. With
approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our
library – one of the world's most extensive – we are home to such
brands as Peanuts, Teletubbies,
Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba
Gabba! Caillou, Inspector Gadget,
Johnny
Test and Degrassi. At our
75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art animation studio in
Vancouver, BC, we produce such
fan-favourite series as The Snoopy Show, Snoopy in
Space, Chip & Potato, Carmen Sandiego, Go, Dog. Go! and more. Our
shows are enjoyed worldwide in more than 150 countries on over 500
streaming platforms and telecasters, and our AVOD business –
WildBrain Spark – offers one of the largest networks of kids'
channels on YouTube, garnering billions of views per month from
over 245 million subscribers. Through our leading agency, WildBrain
CPLG, we also license consumer products and location-based
entertainment in every major territory for our own properties as
well as for our clients and content partners. Our television group
owns and operates four family entertainment channels that are among
the most viewed in Canada.
WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on
the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at
WildBrain.com.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" under
applicable securities laws with respect to the Company including,
without limitation, statements regarding an agreement between
WildBrain and Peacock for production and distribution of Caillou
series and specials and the business strategies and operational
activities of the Company. Although the Company believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are
based on information currently available to the Company. Actual
results or events may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations, among other things, include the risk factors
discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory
authorities from time to time including matters discussed under
"Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form
and annual Management Discussion and Analysis. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the
Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect
new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
SOURCE WildBrain Ltd.