Hot Properties
Pre-school
Blaze and the Monster Machines Brand owner: Nickelodeon
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Brand owner: eOne
The animated series was first broadcast in the UK on Nick Jr in 2009 and Milkshake in 2010, and now airs daily in the UK across both channels where it consistently ranks as one of the channel’s most-watched shows. The UK licensing programme currently boasts 25 licensees including Character Options, Penguin and Blues across key categories including toys, publishing, apparel, partyware, live events and digital. Character Options’ toy line continues to gain traction at retail and updated toy lines for the brand in 2017 include figure packs, a castle playset and new limousine vehicle.
Blaze and the Monster Machines continues to gain momentum across all its audiences, with the latest viewing figures for the UK ranking the show as one of the most popular on Nick Jr. It is also performing well on Channel 5’s Milkshake!, where it launched in November 2015. The show centres on the title character, the monster truck Blaze and his 8-year-old driver AJ, who have adventures and solve problems together using the early stages STEM curriculum. Blaze is supported by a cast of characters including Starla (a purple pick-up), Darington (a blue monster truck) and Zeg (half-triceratops, half-monster truck), all of which are also popular with fans. Following the success of the toy line in 2016, other categories featuring Blaze will be of special focus for 2017. Apparel, publishing, stationery and e-learning are all categories where Blaze is set to feature. The property is supported with creative promotional campaigns and digital content that is linked to each episode, with new online games and apps launching in support of content tentpoles. This support will continue across 2017, along with special in-store events and online promotions.
Paw Patrol Brand owner: Nickelodeon
The success of the Paw Patrol property is comprehensive with the show winning top audiences on Nick Jr. and Milkshake! and product flying off shelves. Produced with Spin Master Entertainment, Paw Patrol follows six heroic rescue pups - Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma and Skye - who are led by a tech-savvy boy named Ryder. Together they work hard to protect their Adventure Bay community. Each pup has a skill set and a house that turns into a vehicle specific to their personality. The property has grown tremendously since its UK launch in 2013, with Paw Patrol leading across categories. The first-ever Paw Patrol live tour: Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue began in the US in 2016, with plans for bringing the experience to the UK in 2017. With live events, new episodes, on-air and digital promotions, as well as new product lines launched with bespoke retail promotions, the success of Paw Patrol is set to continue throughout 2017 and beyond.
Hey Duggee Brand owner: BBC Worldwide
Hey Duggee is set to have a positive year in 2017. Master toy partner Golden Bear continues to do well with its plush and plastics range, which includes Woof Woof Duggee, the Soft Toy Talking Squirrels and the Squirrel Club Playset. There are now four Hey Duggee chart-topping apps, created with partner Scary Beasties, including The Big Badge App, The Outdoor Bagde app, Hey Duggee Colouring app and most recently the Hey Duggee We Love Animals Badge app. For publishing, Penguin has created range of companion books and activity books, and the Big Bumper Hey Duggee DVD launched at Christmas into all major accounts. New licensees in 2016 included Aykroyd and TDP; nightwear products launched into Sainsbury’s, followed by t-shirts for Tesco, with underwear and swimwear to follow. Blue Sky Designs will also be creating a range of art, stationery and activity products.
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