New seasons of Fireman Sam and Polly Pocket to be showcased at MIPJunior and MIPCOM this October
El Segundo, Calif. and Toronto, ON – September 5, 2024 – Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, and WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, have secured multiple new distribution deals internationally for beloved animated kids’ shows Fireman Sam and Polly Pocket, based on the popular Mattel brands. The new deals are part of a multi-year co-development, production, distribution and licensing agreement between Mattel and WildBrain.
Katie Wilson, Vice President of Channels and Global Acquisitions at WildBrain, said: “Fireman Sam and Polly Pocket are beloved kids’ series, and we continue to see great demand from broadcasters and streamers worldwide for these iconic Mattel properties. Kids everywhere can connect with these compelling characters and fun-filled stories, and these new partnerships will serve to delight existing fans and introduce the series to new audiences.”
Alex Godfrey, Vice President of Content Distribution at Mattel Television, said: “At Mattel Television, we are committed to delivering captivating content based on our beloved franchises. These new distribution agreements demonstrate the enduring appeal for Fireman Sam and Polly Pocket with fans globally. We’re excited to continue to share these timeless adventures with audiences around the world.”
New Seasons Featured at MIPJunior and MIPCOM
In S16 (26 x 10’) of Fireman Sam, our titular hero and the Pontypandy Rescue Team return in all-new CG-animated episodes to save the people and animals of Pontypandy—now with an upgraded Fire Station and a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Unit to help them.
In S6 (38 x 11’) of Polly Pocket, Polly and her pocket-sized friends travel to our world and dimensions beyond, from Brazil to Unicorn World to Skatesville.
Buyers attending MIPJunior and MIPCOM (October 18–24) are invited to screen S16 of Fireman Sam and S6 of Polly Pocket and visit WildBrain at stand #R8.C18 to learn more.
New Distribution Deals for Fireman Sam
In Europe, new deals for S16 of Fireman Sam include Cartoonito (Italy, UK), RTÉ (Ireland), NRK (Norway), Canal+’s MiniMini+ (Poland), NPO (Netherlands), which has also picked up S15 (26 x 11’), and long-time Fireman Sam partner KiKA (Germany), which has also picked up the special, Alien Alert (1 x 60’). Also on board for the series are Pro Films (Bulgaria) for S14–15, LEONINE Studios (Germany) for S15, and TFOUMAX (France) for S12–13.
Additional European deals include KPN (Netherlands) for S11–12 (26 x 11’) and Norman Price and the Mystery in the Sky (1 x 44’); and Blue Entertainment (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) for S12–14 and films Alien Alert, Norman Price and the Mystery in the Sky, Heroes of the Storm (1 x 60’), and Set for Action! (1 x 60’).
Internationally, WildBrain has inked new deals with hoopla Digital (US and Canada) for S1–15 (289 x 11’), Alien Alert, Heroes of the Storm, Norman Price and the Mystery in the Sky, Set for Action!, The Great Fire of Pontypandy (1 x 60’), and the Christmas special, Snow Business (1 x 22’); Télé-Québec (Canada) for S12–15, Alien Alert, Set for Action!, and Norman Price and the Mystery in the Sky; and Crave (Canada) for S12.
In the FAST space, WildBrain has launched new Fireman Sam FAST channels on LG Channels, available on LG Smart TVs (US and Canada), Samsung TV Plus (US), and Sling Freestream (US), which include S1–11 (198 x 11’), The Great Fire of Pontypandy, Heroes of the Storm, Alien Alert, Set for Action!, and Snow Business. Additionally, Peacock has launched S1–2 (15 x 11’) on AVOD and SVOD.
New Distribution Deals for Polly Pocket
For Polly Pocket S6, WildBrain has signed deals with Cartoonito (Italy), ITVX Kids (UK), Canal+’s TeleTOON+ (Poland), and Cúla4/TG4 (Ireland), which has also picked up S5 (26 x 11’). Additional deals for the series include LEONINE Studios (Germany) for S5; hoopla (US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) for S1–5 (26 x 22’ + 104 x 11’); blue Play (Switzerland) for S1–2 (26 x 22’ + 26 x 11’) and S5; Crave (Canada) for S3–4 (52 x 11’); and Pro Films (Bulgaria) and Kids Street (US and its territories) for S1 (26 x 22’).
Additionally, Living Scriptures+ (US, Canada, ANZ) has signed on for S1 of the new series, as well as S10 of the classic Polly Pocket series (8 x 5’), which originally premiered in 2010, and films PollyWorld (1 x 90’) and Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza (1 x 30’); while hoopla (US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) has signed on for S1–11 of the classic series (various) and films Polly Pocket (1 x 30’), Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza, PollyWorld, Night To Remember (1 x 44’), Tiny Power (1 x 44’), and Unlocketing the Past (1 x 44).
The Roku Channel has recently launched a new Polly Pocket FAST channel (US), which includes S1–5 of the new series, S1–11 of the classic series, along with films Polly Pocket, Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza, PollyWorld, Night to Remember, Tiny Power, and Unlocketing the Past. Peacock has also launched S1–4 of the new series on AVOD and SVOD, while Samsung TV Plus has launched S1–2 on AVOD.
For more information, please contact:
Casey McDonald at Mattel
Aimée Norman at Liberi Consulting, external PR for WildBrain
+44 (0) 7957 564 050
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
About WildBrain
At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° franchise management, we are experts in content creation, audience engagement and global licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands with kids and families around the world. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library—one of the world’s most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain’s mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart.
Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Sonic Prime; Chip and Potato; Teletubbies Let's Go! and many more. Enjoyed in more than 150 countries on over 500 platforms, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered over 1 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada’s most-viewed family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide.
WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com.