By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
BBC Studios and Trustbridge Entertainment have commissioned a second season of the animated preschool show “My Friend Maisy” and announced a new global licensing agreement.
The agreement comes just in time for Licensing Expo, where BBC Studios is a major exhibitor, offering up opportunities for top brands like Bluey and Doctor Who.
Suzy Raia, executive vice president of global consumer products at BBC Studios, said the deal opens new commercial doors for the brand.
“The partnership marks a vibrant new chapter for the heritage brand, greatly enriches our globally respected brand portfolio, and opens the door for incredible commercial opportunities with this joyful preschool property,” Raia said. “We are also delighted to have green lit series two, which is fantastic news for the ever-expanding ‘My Friend Maisy’ fandom.”
Under the expanded partnership, BBC Studios will manage brand and licensing rights for the property worldwide, outside of Greater China, where Trustbridge Entertainment retains those rights. BBC Studios will lead franchise development across consumer products, licensing and content distribution in those markets.
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Bob Higgins, president of Trustbridge Entertainment, said the companies are pleased to be expanding their partnership. “We know that generations who grew up with author Lucy Cousins’ beloved, distinctively drawn Maisy mouse books will be excited to share meaningful experiences and co-viewing moments with their young families,” Higgins said.
Sky Kids, which co-commissioned the series and is jointly funding development work on the second season, will broadcast the show. Production on the new series is set to begin later this year.
“My Friend Maisy” is a 52-episode, five-minutes-per-episode 2D-animated series based on the bestselling children’s books by Lucy Cousins. The Maisy book series originated in 1990 and today includes more than 100 titles. The books have sold more than 46 million copies across 100 countries and are published by Walker Books in the United Kingdom and Candlewick Press in the United States. Head writer Matilda Tristram, known for her work on “Peppa Pig,” leads the series.
The show launched on Sky Kids in the United Kingdom earlier this year and is also available on Now TV. Since its debut, the series became Sky Kids’ No. 1 show during its launch week. The show’s YouTube channel has accumulated more than 900,000 organic views.
“My Friend Maisy” joins BBC Studios’ licensing portfolio alongside properties including “Bluey,” “Doctor Who” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” known in the United States as “Dancing With the Stars.”
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