The Jim Henson Company

Henson is partnering with Seattle-based kidtech company Novel Effect to bring its properties to the voice-driven storytelling platform. Beginning this month, brands like Fraggle Rock (pictured), Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid and Word Party will be available through the free Novel Effect mobile app.

Novel Effect incorporates background music, sound effects and character voices into storytelling in an effort to enhance the reading experience. Moving forward, the two companies will explore additional formats including voice-interactive video content to be distributed in 2021 via Novel Effect’s apps, as well as cable and VOD networks.

Mondo TV

Mondo TV has inked an agreement with Chinese distributor Jetsen Huashi for the series Sissi the Young Empress, which will bow on multiple digital media platforms in the region beginning next spring.

Mondo also signed a deal for Sissi with Switzerland’s RSI, which will air the show in the RSI LA 1 channel’s weekend children’s block in 2021. Polish public broadcaster TVP picked up the series for its TVP ABC kids channel  as well.

Sinking Ship Entertainment

Canal+ Group has picked up exclusive French-language rights to season one of Sinking Ship Entertainment’s Endlings series for France, Monaco, Andorra, Mauritius, Comoros and Madagascar. The agreement also includes non-exclusive French-language rights for Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Haiti and Vanuatu.

Set 20 years in the future, Endlings (titled Les Derniers Rescapes in French) is a sci-fi adventure series that follows four children as they discover that humans aren’t alone in the universe. The show is produced by Sinking Ship for Hulu in the US, with presales in regions including Canada (CBC and SRC), the UK (CBBC) and Australia (ABC). Season two is set to bow in 2021.

MGA Entertainment

MGA is expanding its hit L.O.L. Surprise! collectibles line into the gaming category. The LA-based toyco has partnered with game publisher Nighthawk Interactive to launch L.O.L. Surprise! Remix: We Rule the World on Nintendo Switch.

The video game is available at retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and GameStop for US$39.99. It lets users customize their own doll and home, play mini-games, and meet fan-favorite L.O.L. Surprise! characters and explore their world.

JumpStart Games

The LA-based gameco is launching a new consumer products program inspired by its Neopets franchise. New licensing partners include Hot Topic (apparel), What’s Your Passion Jewelry (jewelry), Geekify (blankets, pins and patches), H3 Apparel (apparel, accessories and headwear) and Squip (figures). Products in additional categories—including plush, collectibles, comics and stationery—will hit shelves next year.

Jumpstart is also rolling out a fan artist partnership program that will see community members create designs and art for new merchandise. The program currently features two fan artists and is set to expand in 2021 with new artists and additional consumer products.