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Character Options has launched its own YouTube channel for young viewers, with bespoke content and videos created by children themselves.

Kid-facing channel Character Kids TV (www.youtube. com/channel/UCThikV-NiSvga4I46e2ErHg) went live on 21 May and already boasts a raft of different shorts and more. Its launch coincided with that of GooZonians, the company’s new squishy collectable doll line, with an animated 11-minute webisode heralding their arrival.

As well as GooZonians, there’s plenty from Heroes Of Goo Jit Zu as well as preschool stop-frame animated adventures for preschoolers. There are also videos crated by the Character Kidz, Character Options’ own kidfluencers and content creators.

The company’s marketing director Mark Hunt said: “Our decision to create this entertainment space for children has in large come from the multiple changes to YouTube’s digital space for kids. The Character Kidz TV channel is a place where kids can come to watch premium fun videos – be it skits from kids, CGI animated content, or entertaining toy play.

“A part of our development strategy is to create great, storyline-based content for our own IPs, so we’ve created a platform to house them. Since the channel’s launch, we have been amazed at how many views have already been achieved (more than three million and rising daily). Our task now is to keep populating the channel with content that kids will seek out.”

The launch comes ahead of the summer’s Character Kidz events, which sees the team highlighting Character Options launches and activity. This has now grown into a series of events due to take place between July and November, rather than one single bash.

Hunt added: “Character Kidz is our annual showcase; it’s an established part of our autumn marketing strategy and each year we come up with innovative ways to keep it fresh for our followers. This year, Character Kidz will kick off at the end of July, at the BlogOn Kids family event, where we have our own special Character Kidz room. Thereafter, each month, we will choose key brands to promote.’’

Hello Kitty purrs back into life on screen

Legendary character Hello Kitty continues to spread her wings as more broadcasters across Europe and the Americas sign on the dotted line for the new adventures of the moggy.

The new original 3D animation kids programme, Hello Kitty: Super Style, is the latest iteration of the franchise created by Sanrio, and will launch with 52 x 11-minute episodes later this year, under the watchful eye of producers Watch Next, Monello and Maga Animation Studio and distributor Kids First alongside co-developer Amazon Kids+, which commissioned the series.

Deals inked include Canal+ and M6 in France, RAI in Italy, Tiny Pop in the UK, Discovery Kids across Latin America, RTS in Switzerland, and Hop in Israel.

Head of kids and foreign series at Canal+ Audrey Brugere said: “Hello Kitty is a world-famous brand loved by kids and their parents across generations. Watch Next Media and Monello Productions have successfully respected the DNA of this pop culture icon while creating modern, creative and fun new graphics and stories. We are very excited to be part of this ambitious show!”

Mia and Me movie spin-off heads to cinemas

Studio 100’s Mia and Me movie spinoff is heading to cinemas around the globe after making its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The film follows three successful seasons of the series airing in more than 170 territories worldwide.

The film, which blends CGI and live action, has opened in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with France, Spain and the Frenchspeaking part of Switzerland in July, and Hungary and Bulgaria in August and September.

Distributor Viva Kids has acquired US rights for a release in 2023 and president Victor Elizalde said: “From 100% Wolf to Vic the Viking, Viva has had tremendous successreleasing Studio 100 titles in the US. We are thrilled to be adding such a charming and entertaining film to our 2023 slate. Mia and Me will definitely be a favourite for young audiences.”

Numbers add up for the squad

Animation production company Omens Studios has signed on the dotted line with Sky Kids in a deal that will see its new 123 Number Squad series airing on the channel and the associated streaming service Now from February 2023.

Sky Kids has pre-bought the first two seasons of the CG animated series, which follows the adventures of Paula, Billy and Tim, the three members of the team who just love numbers and help out their friends and neighbours solving problems.

Executive producer Sally Marchant said: “The writing team on 123 Number Squad has a raft of credentials and it’s a pleasure for us to be working with talent of such high calibre.”

Chi Sim Tang, CEO of Omens Studios, added: “Our talented team have produced a show that will excite and educate preschoolers.’’