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40 TV KIDS
Gaumont Hetty Feather / Furiki Wheels / Trulli Tales
“We have a slate of approximately 20 new children’s series in various stages of development that cater to different age demographics in wide-ranging genres.”
A drama series for kids and families, Hetty Feather is based on the best-selling book by Jacqueline Wilson. The show follows the daily battles of a young girl who has lived with kindhearted foster parents until the age of 5 and is then returned to the London children’s home where she was abandoned as a baby. She faces challenges, makes friends and discovers untold truths as she continues to search for her mother. “It is truly a unique program that could be described as a Downton Abbey for children,” says Vanessa Shapiro, the president of worldwide TV distribution and co-production at Gaumont. Furiki Wheels, about a hyperactive sloth, is a slapstick comedy. Shapiro describes Trulli Tales as “part storybook magic with a little MasterChef Junior and a dash of wizardry.”
Furiki Wheels
—Vanessa Shapiro
Genius Brands International Rainbow Rangers / Llama Llama / SpacePOP
Rainbow Rangers
A pair of animated preschool series leads the slate that Genius Brands International brings to the market. One is Rainbow Rangers, a girl-skewing adventure that is currently in production for a premiere on Nick Jr. in the U.S. next year, and the other is Llama Llama, which is due to debut as a Netflix original in early 2018. Rainbow Rangers “is truly empowering and each storyline is designed to show young viewers the importance of working together,” says Deb Pierson, the senior VP of global content distribution and marketing, and president of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, at Genius Brands International. “Llama Llama is a gender-neutral series [about] the trials and tribulations of every child’s first experiences.” The company will also be showcasing SpacePOP, a musical animated series for tweens.
“In addition to our children’s content, we are continuing to expand the reach of our digital Kid Genius Cartoon Channel.” —Deb Pierson
Gloob Time to Rock / Valentins / Brainiacs The first Brazilian channel for children, Globosat’s Gloob, is aimed at young viewers between the ages of 4 and 11 and is celebrating its fifth birthday this year. Among the network’s highlights are the new animated show Time to Rock and the live-action series Valentins and Brainiacs. “Time to Rock presents a unique rock band composed of four unpopular friends that travel through time and relive great moments of world history every time they play,” says Paula Taborda dos Guaranys, the head of content and programming at Gloob. “Valentins reinforces family values as four siblings unite to find their own courage and protect their parents from an ambitious villain. Brainiacs refers to a special school for gifted children where they discuss technology consciousness, social transformation and the role of innovative education.”
“Gloob’s success derives from its commitment to producing original content that can entertain, engage and inspire kids.” Time to Rock
248 WORLD SCREEN 10/17
—Paula Taborda dos Guaranys