Deals of the Week: BBC Studios, Winsing Animation and Toikido

Bluey goes big with a major licensing expansion spanning bandages to bikes; new seasons of Gogo Bus arrive on Indonesia's RTV channel and Cooneen by Design signs on as licensing partner for Piñata Smashlings.

March 17, 2023

BBC Studios Kids & Family

The Bluey (pictured) freight train keeps on rolling and a raft of new companies have scooped up licensing rights to its adorable likenesses. Announced this week are a long list of new licensing deals, including: ASO for decorated bandages and first aid kits; Children’s Apparel Network for sportswear; DecoPac for edible and non-edible decorations; Dynacraft for bicycles and tricycles; Gemmy for seasonal decor; Isaac Morris for apparel; NTD Apparel for underwear (or knickers to the Brits); Stoneridge for more wheeled recreation; and Thermos for bottles and food jars. BBC Studios Kids & Family has also renewed existing licensing deals with Centric Brands, The Bentex Group and Handcraft for various apparel categories; Zak! Designs for beverages and Kurt Adler for Christmas decor. Produced by BBC Studios and Ludo Studio of Australia, Bluey is one of kids TV’s hottest properties, with a global fan base, a home on Disney Channel and worldwide acclaim for its clever co-view appeal.

Winsing Animation

The animation subsidiary of the Chinese prodco Winsing has signed a broadcast deal with Indonesian TV channel RTV for seasons nine and 10 of its animated series Gogo Bus, which debuted in China last summer. Aimed at preschoolers, the series follows a group of kids in a seaside town who are constantly helped by a bus that has the magical ability to transform into different vehicles. The series has extensive distribution in China, where it airs on “all the major TV channels” and over 30 platforms including Kaku TV, Aniworld TV, Alibaba YOUKU and Mango TV, according to the company.

Toikido

London-based toyco has inked a licensing deal with clothing manufacturer Cooneen by Design to produce a line of sleepwear, underwear and swimwear for its Piñata Smashlings brand. The products will go on sale starting summer 2024. The brand, inspired by the resurgence in popularity for the popular party game, is putting a major content and CP launch together for 2023, including a Roblox game, animated shorts, music, suite of toys, collectables, trading cards, books, plush and playsets.