New family animation for WildBrain Television gets greenlit
Skwigly
WildBrain Television, one of Canada’s most-loved kids’ and family broadcast networks, is pleased to announce a robust and diverse slate of partnerships with Canadian producers for seven new greenlights across animation and live-action, adding to three other Canadian series announced earlier this year. Exclusive to WildBrain Television in Canada, the new titles will premiere across their suite of channels beginning this October and continue rolling out through 2022. The new slate of programming features something for every member of the family to enjoy, including animated comedy, new kids & family dramas and ground-breaking preschool content.
Leading the animation roster are five new WildBrain original CG specials for Caillou, marking the first new long-form content for the beloved preschool brand in almost a decade. Young kids will also be delighted by Lucas the Spider (Fresh TV), a new CG-animated series about a curious and cute four-year-old arachnid, based on the popular YouTube shorts. Likewise, YouTube hit Denis and Me (Headspinner Productions) sees four new specials greenlit, following WildBrain Television’s order for season two of the series earlier this year. Also, the brand-new series Summer Memories (Aircraft Pictures, A&N Production and YETI Farm Creative), chronicles the sweet, funny friendship of Jason and Ronnie as Jason looks back on the most pivotal summer of his life.
Heading up WildBrain Television’s live-action lineup are two new family series: Ruby & the Well (Shaftesbury) and Take Note (Lambur Productions). Also newly greenlit is season three of Holly Hobbie (Aircraft Pictures) alongside new episodes of Malory Towers (WildBrain & BBC) and The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy (Lopii Productions).
We’re delighted to partner with such a talented, diverse group of producers and creators, reflecting our deep commitment to commissioning best-in-class Canadian content. These greenlights and renewals, feature an exciting mix of animated and live-action content, building on our network’s promise to offer Canadian families a place to share compelling and entertaining stories together.
-Katie Wilson (VP, Channels and Content, WildBrain Television)
ANIMATED GREENLIGHTS
Caillou Specials – Five 45-minute WildBrain original specials in CG animation, set to begin airing on Family Jr. in summer 2022.
Adored by preschool kids 2-5, Caillou chronicles the daily life of an imaginative and curious four-year-old boy, who – like most preschoolers – is learning and growing a little more each day and doesn’t usually get things right on the first try, despite his best efforts. Thankfully, he is supported and encouraged by his parents, friends and neighbours to never give up and keep pursuing his goals until he succeeds. Together, these supporting characters in Caillou’s life serve as a calm and comforting presence, a gentle guiding hand leading him to new understandings and discoveries. The stories chosen for these stand-alone specials are to be enjoyed as family-friendly events throughout the year: Christmas, Halloween, Family Day, Summer Vacation and even tackling the important topic of bullying for National Anti-Bullying Day.
Lucas the Spider (Fresh TV/WexWorks Media – Image via WildBrain Television)
Lucas the Spider – Twenty-six 22-minute CG-animated episodes, produced in association with Fresh TV and WexWorks Media, premiering on Family Jr. in fall 2021.
Based on the smash-hit YouTube shorts loved by kids and families around the world, Lucas the Spider is a brand-new series that features a happy, inquisitive, impossibly cute jumping spider who lives in a big, bright house in a city across from a park. Lucas’ passions are to spread love, live in the now and explore his world – and that’s exactly what he does, with the help of his group of best friends.
Denis and Me (Headspinner Productions – Image via WildBrain Television)
Denis and Me – Four 11-minute 2D-animated specials produced in partnership with Headspinner Productions, with the support of the Shaw Rocket Fund, will be airing on Family Channel in fall 2021 alongside season two of the popular series commissioned earlier this year.
For kids 6-11, Denis and Me follows the imagined adventures of Denis and his chaos-magnet sidekick cat, Sir Meows A Lot. Denis is friendly and super positive, an upbeat kid who loves to laugh, mostly at himself and Sir Meows A Lot. He has a big heart and is both highly excitable and highly entertaining. Through his misadventures with Sir Meows A Lot, viewers will see that it’s okay to be awkward, to make mistakes, to try again, to push yourself out of your comfort zone and to always stand up for your best friend.
Summer Memories (A&N Productions/Aircraft Pictures/Yeti Farm Creative – Image via WildBrain Television)
Summer Memories – Twenty 22-minute 2D-animated episodes produced by A&N Productions, Aircraft Pictures and Yeti Farm Creative, with the financial support of the Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund, will begin airing on Family Channel in summer 2022.
For kids 6-12, the brand-new series Summer Memories follows the adventures of best friends Jason and Ronnie as Jason looks back on the most pivotal summer of his life (which was just a few weeks ago). This is Jason’s summer of change…and he fears change. Lucky for him, he has charismatic, life adventurer Ronnie at his side. Created by veteran animator/producer Adam Yaniv, Summer Memories transcends time, space and memory – the good and the bad – as it chronicles Jason and Ronnie’s sweet, fun-filled relationship.