Media News - the multimedia rundown

Barbie premiere Pops up

POP, the free-to-air television channel for six to 10-year-old children, aired the UK premiere of the musical adventurefilled animated TV series Barbie: It Takes Two last month. Created by multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company Mattel, Barbie: It Takes Two follows Barbie ‘Malibu’ Roberts and Barbie ‘Brooklyn’ Roberts as they enrol in a performing arts high school in New York City. Setting out to record a music demo and taking odd jobs to fund their dreams, the pair still find time to explore the Big Apple and travel back to Malibu to visit family and friends. Filled with stories and friendship, family, passion and perseverance, the series follows the duo as they work and have fun chasing their dreams.

Hot Wheels film is put into gear

The company behind TV series such as Lost and Westworld, and movies including Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the Star Trek, Mission: Impossible and Cloverfield franchises will be working on a live-action Hot Wheels film

Bad Robot has teamed up with Mattel and Warner Bros. Pictures for the high-throttle action film, which will bring to life this beloved, multi-generational franchise and showcase some of the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks and motorcycles.

“As the global leader in car culture, Hot Wheels has been igniting the challenger spirit in auto enthusiasts for generations,” said Robbie Brenner, executive producer, Mattel Films. “Fans of all ages are now in for the ride of their lives with the incredible talent of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot joining us alongside Warner Bros. Pictures to transform Hot Wheels’ legendary IP into a thrilling story for the big screen.”

Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures are also partners on the upcoming motion picture, Barbie, due for release in 2023. Mattel is also working on movies based on American Girl, Barney, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View Master, and Wishbone.

Octonauts go

above and beyond on Netflix

The second season of Octonauts: Above & Beyond makes its global debut on Netflix this month.

In the new episodes, the Octonauts will continue to explore dynamic landscapes, experience new climates, rescue animals and protect the land they live on. Highlights include a 22-minute special, Rainforest Rescue, which sees the Octonauts embark on an adventure through the Amazon rainforest canopy.

The launch of Octonauts: Above & Beyond Series 2 is timed to support the rollout of the new toy range from global master toy licensee Moose Toys. Set to launch this summer, the new collection will bring the show to life with figures, vehicles, playsets, plush and more.

Helping kids make movies

Wow! Stuff and award-winning stopmotion animation studio Aardman have announced a collaboration on a global consumer products initiative: MovieMates. Launching first with the blockbuster franchise

Jurassic World, MovieMates is a range of collectable, highly detailed and articulated action figures mounted on a nonremovable ‘film rig’ that comes with a free MovieMates app. Using the figure/s and the stopmotion app, kids and kidults can recreate movie scenes or make new ones of their own.

Wow! Stuff’s head of licensing Kenny McAndrew said: “MovieMates allows kids to show off their movie creations on social media without having to be the star of the show.’’ MovieMates will be on sale in July.

Putting the fun in fungi

Tiny Pop, the free-to-air TV channel for kids aged four to six, premieres the International Emmy-nominated Mush-Mush & the Mushables on 21 May.

Produced by La Cabane and Thuristar in co-production with Cake, Mush-Mush & the Mushables are putting the fun back into fungi!

As pocket-sized Guardians of the Forest, each Mushable has a special gift. While MushMush can communicate with nature, Lilit shines bright like a light and Chep has an impressive memory.

While on their wild adventures, they get to know their unique talents, learn their limits and find there is still a lot to discover about growing up.