New York-based FilmRise has landed the worldwide distribution rights (excluding New Zealand and Australia) to more than 80 hours of content from iconic Aussie music group The Wiggles, which will air on its network of AVOD and FAST channels.
The package deal includes a mix of short episodes and hour-long specials from the live-action series The Wiggles that ran from 1998 until 2012. The series features the four original members of the band (Jeff Fatt, Greg Page, Anthony Field and Murray Cook) singing and dancing for preschool audiences.
FilmRise’s SVP of acquisitions Max Einhorn and The Wiggles GM Luke Field made the announcement at MIPCOM yesterday. FilmRise acquisitions manager Katherine Weinstein and Jill Goldstein, founder of The Wiggles’ PR firm JGPR, brokered the deal.
The Wiggles are hot right now—a documentary about the phenom, Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles, is launching on Prime Video next week. Amazon Studios, Australia’s SAM Content and New Zealand-based Augusto co-produced the film, which is set to stream in more than 240 territories. And earlier this month, the group signed Australian licensing agency Haven Global to manage its consumer products program worldwide.
FilmRise’s catalogue of kids content includes full seasons of Yu-Gi-Oh! (Konami Cross Media NY), Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? (WildBrain), Barney & Friends (9 Story Distribution International) and Totally Spies (Zodiak Kids).