BBC’s cost-cutting hits the product teams that power iPlayer
More than 80 employees have gotten word that they're at risk of redundancy, the latest in a string of cuts.
Kidscreen
Kidscreened
- Toys"R"Us Canada has closed over half its locations in four years (Edmonton Journal)
- A Christian school in England has banned kids from singing KPDH songs (THR)
- Fortnite and A Minecraft Movie make the 2025 Game Awards shortlist (GI.Biz)
- Disney gives a first look at live-action Moana with a new trailer (Variety)
ABC Australia hires Melinda Wearne as head of children’s and family
Starting in the new year, this former Monster Beach producer at Beyond will oversee the pubcaster's kids programming.
Roblox rolls out facial age checks
The gaming platform says it's going to be the first to require this AI-powered safety feature, which creates stronger protections for kids.
DEALS: Harry Potter is getting a Sphere-like theater experience
Also, Netflix has unveiled three new brand partners launching Stranger Things merch at US retailers this month.
Disney is stepping up its presence in South Korea
The Mouse House has inked a streaming bundle pact with TVING to strengthen its IPs in the region and establish itself as a K-content distributor.
Pinkfong raises US$52 million in its IPO
Bouncing back from a rut, the Baby Shark creator will use this new capital to create IPs, improve AI-powered tools and expand into more location-based entertainment.
Mattel layoffs hit global brand teams
EXCLUSIVE: Kidscreen has confirmed these staff cuts, which are part of the toyco’s planned brand management business reorg.
Kidscreened
- Companies have until November 20 to put in bids for WBD (Broadcast)
- First-look images are out for the hotly anticipated Legends of Zelda movie (Variety)
- James Cameron talks about the digital advances in Avatar: Fire and Ash (THR)
- Hearst commissions AI-led history series from Look, See Wow! producer Particle6 (Deadline)
Sony is making a Labubu movie. But how did this plush craze get so big?
We explore how a former Blackpink K-pop star launched a global blind-box collectibles obsession.
DEALS: Bluey is moving into Japan’s gacha machines
Plus, TCL is launching five new anime-themed FAST channels next month, and Angel Studios has acquired ownership rights to The Tuttle Twins.
Readers say Jennifer Dodge had the best week in the biz
Animators aren’t happy Disney is endorsing AI tools
The entertainment giant has sparked a backlash by revealing it will soon allow subscribers to create AI-generated videos on Disney+.
Spacetoon and Toikido team up for three seasons of Battalor
The MENA broadcaster has made a big commitment to co-develop this new action series, and Toikido is looking for more partners.
Disney and YouTube TV end their two-week carriage dispute
Disney Channel and Disney Junior are back on the AVOD streamer now that the companies have struck a new multi-year distribution deal.
Kidscreened
- WBD is reworking Zaslav's compensation package to account for a sale (THR)
- Studiocanal's Anna Marsh talks about the upcoming animated Paddington film (Variety)
- ChatGPT is launching a group chat pilot so teams can collaborate (TechCrunch)
- The Toniebox 2 helped Tonies deliver strong Q3 growth (Toy World)
BBC Studios combines its businesses in Asia and Australia/New Zealand
But the Beeb says it’s not planning to cut kids content or jobs as part of this streamlining move.
[Free article] VOTE: Did Jazwares or Jennifer Dodge have the best week?
DEALS: Toca Boca gets Wicked: For Good
Meanwhile, WinSing Animation takes flight with an Emirates Airlines deal for its new feature-length film.
A leaner WildBrain reports 16% revenue gain in Q1
The Canadian media company is already seeing positive results without its domestic TV business on the books.
Kidscreen is a world-leading resource for kids entertainment industry news, business insights and trend analysis.