Ten year anniversary season of hit series
to feature 20 new episodes
TORONTO, Nov. 11,
2024 /CNW/ - Boat Rocker, an independent, integrated
global entertainment company, today announced that its live action
kids & family series, The Next Step has been renewed for
a tenth season after being commissioned by CBBC/BBC iPlayer.
Currently in production, season 10 (20 x 30') is set to premiere on
CBBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK in 2025.
A true global sensation with more than 250 total episodes,
The Next Step is a scripted dance drama for tweens which
chronicles the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of A-Troupe, a
group of dancers at The Next Step dance studio. Hugely popular in
the UK, the series has been consistently one of the most requested
CBBC shows on iPlayer since its launch in 2014. It is also
broadcast globally in more than 120 countries worldwide.
In season 10, A-Troupe are now Internationals Champions, and on
top of the world. New co-owners of The Next Step, Eldon and
Michelle, are gearing up to defend their title at Regionals. But
when Absolute Dance changes the rules, A-Troupe's Internationals
win no longer guarantees them a spot and they must re-qualify for
regionals. When it's revealed the studio is also struggling
financially, A-Troupe must focus only on Regionals to keep the
studio alive. Can they rally together to defend their legacy and
save the studio? Or will the lure of other distractions tear the
gang apart?
Jon Rutherford, President, Global
Rights, Franchise & Content Strategy, Boat Rocker Studios,
said: "We're proud to be expanding this incredible powerhouse
franchise with CBBC to make a tenth series. The Next Step
continues to entertain audiences around the world with its
compelling mix of friendship, rivalries, teamwork and, of course,
incredible choreography."
Nick Nantell, EVP, Head of Scripted Creative, Boat Rocker
Studios, added: "We can't wait for viewers to watch season 10
and continue their journey with A-Troupe. Whether you're a longtime
fan or just discovering the series, we're confident this season,
filled with dancing and drama, will be one to remember."
The Next Step is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Dino
Ranch, Orphan Black: Echoes), Shaleen Sangha (Chuck's Choice, Make it
Pop), Jon Rutherford
(Dino Ranch, Amber Brown) and Nick Nantell (American Rust, Orphan Black:
Echoes). Amy Cole (Odd
Squad) and Romeo Candido (Son
of a Critch, Topline) serve as showrunners and executive
producers of the show. For CBBC, Sarah
Muller is Senior Head of Children's Commissioning 7+ and
Aubrey Clarke is Commissioning
Executive 7+.
The Next Step is produced by Boat Rocker, with the
participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, and distributed globally by
Boat Rocker and BBC Studios.
Boat Rocker manages the global franchise development and
consumer products for The Next Step.
About BBC Children's
BBC Children's is a bold,
multi-genre, public service offering that has earned the unswerving
trust of British families. It is home to some of the UK's most
popular children's channels, CBBC and CBeebies, delivering
world-class, UK-produced children's programming across all genres,
including drama, comedy, factual and news. The great majority of
our experiences are produced in the UK as we aim to reflect the
diverse lives of our viewers - and give as many of them as possible
a voice across all our platforms. CBeebies is dedicated to
delighting and surprising its pre-school audience and remains the
UK's most watched and most loved channel for the under-sevens.
CBBC is the go-to destination for children 7-12 to enjoy
inspiring and enabling TV and interactive experiences across all
platforms.
About Boat Rocker
Boat Rocker (TSX: BRMI) is the home
for creative visionaries. An independent, integrated global
entertainment company, Boat Rocker's purpose is to tell stories and
build iconic brands across all genres and mediums. With offices
around the world, Boat Rocker's creative and commercial
capabilities include Scripted, Unscripted, and Kids and Family
television production, distribution, brand & franchise
management, a world-class animation studio, and talent management
through a minority stake in The Initial Group, a new company
launched by TPG. A selection of Boat Rocker's projects include:
Invasion (Apple TV+), Palm Royale (Apple TV+),
Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), American Rust: Broken
Justice (Prime Video), Beacon 23 (MGM+), Pretty Baby:
Brooke Shields (Hulu),
Downey's Dream Cars (Max), BS High (HBO), Orphan
Black (BBC AMERICA, CTV Sci-Fi Channel), Dear…(Apple
TV+), Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry (Apple
TV+), The Next Step (BBC, Corus, CBC), Daniel
Spellbound (Netflix), and Dino
Ranch (Disney+, Disney Junior, CBC). For more
information, please visit www.boatrocker.com.
SOURCE Boat Rocker Media Inc.