Brand Profile - Batwheels

Batwheels, the first-ever animated Batman pre-school series, revs up for retail

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) has its pedal to the metal as the light prepares to turn green on the licensing programme for Batwheels, the first ever Batman series for pre-schoolers. Here, Warner Bros. reveals more about this exciting and fresh new property and how it’s been received so far.

Following its broadcast premiere in March 2023 on Cartoonito UK, DC and Warner Bros. Animation’s first-ever Batman pre-school show, Batwheels, is set to become accessible to viewers all over the country as it’s introduced to FTA on ITV in 2024. On YouTube, Batwheels has become an instant hit, generating over 5.2m UK content views to date. Its popularity is accelerating and tracking positively in the US, where the consumer products programme has now launched and quickly established itself as an exciting entry amongst fans and retailers alike.

Locally, cross-category partners will pass go in January 2024, headlined in the toy category by Mattel's Fisher-Price. Pre-school kids will be able to relive some of their favourite moments from the animated series with a range including toy cars and sets perfect for action-packed play. The toys, which encourage imaginative adventures and storytelling, will be suitable for pre-schoolers aged three years and older.

Bringing the iconic Batman universe to the youngest generation of UK viewers, Batwheels is a groundbreaking addition to the world of pre-school entertainment, offering a unique blend of engaging storytelling and character development combined with a toyetic appeal set to captivate young minds.

With the pre-school category currently ablaze with demand for fresh, dynamic content, retailers have been eagerly awaiting a new and energetic property, particularly for young boys. The success of Batwheels at broadcast perfectly positions the IP to meet this demand, offering a thrilling new format for the ever-growing market.

Batwheels marks DC and Warner Bros. Animation’s firstever Batman pre-school show and features a high-speed, vibrant CGI-animated iteration of the Caped Crusader. The fun-filled action-adventure show combines two of a young kid’s favourite things: superheroes and vehicles. These are the Batwheels, an awesome group of sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles defending Gotham City alongside a host of DC Super Heroes. Brought to life by the Batcomputer to help defend Gotham City, the heroic Batwheels are thrust into hilarious hijinks and jawdropping action while learning important life lessons. Led by Bam, the Batmobile, the Batwheels must navigate the challenges of being a newly formed super team as well as the growing pains that come with being a kid.

The relatable and aspirational series follows the journey of this dynamic team as its members thrill and entertain with their heroic adventures, as well as demonstrate to pre-school kids the value of self-confidence, friendship and teamwork.

The all-star voice cast includes Ethan Hawke (as Batman), Jacob Bertand (as Bam the Batmobile), Gina Rodriguez (as Catwoman) and Xolo Maridueña (as Snowy the Snowcrawler) among others. Sam Register (Looney Tunes Cartoons) serves as executive producer, Michael G. Stern (Doc McStuffins) as co-executive producer, Simon J. Smith (Penguins of Madagascar) as supervising producer and Steven Fink of Bang Zoom as producer. Based on characters from DC, Batwheels is produced by Warner Bros. Animation with animation services provided by Superprod Studio.

“The shows’ action and adventure storylines have garnered a wave of enthusiasm from partners and audiences in a remarkably short period,”says Rachel Wakley, SVP & General Manager - UK & Ireland at Warner Bros. Discovery. “This positive reception reflects the fans’ appetite for innovative characters and narratives, which we are confident will also perform exceptionally at retail.”

Following the broadcast success and a strong start at retail, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products is now encouraging and recruiting new and existing Batwheels licensees and partners to ensure kids, families and fans who love Batwheels can get in on the action off screen as well as on.