Thomas takes new master toy partner

With celebrations for Thomas' 65th anniversary on track, HIT Entertainment has kicked off 2009 by naming Fisher-Price as the worldwide master toy licensee for preschool property Thomas & Friends. continue

Nick launches kids pop culture-driven website

Putting kids in the driver's seat, where they decide what makes pop culture news, is at the forefront of UPickDaily.com, the latest site to join the Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group online efforts. continue

Martin Yaffe named master toy partner for Harry and Toto

BBC Worldwide has inked a master toy deal with Martin Yaffe International for its new preschool property Harry and Toto. continue

CBBC launches children's iPlayer, taps new head of drama

In the works for months now, the Beeb is heeding the on-demand call from kids with today's soft launch of the iPlayer for CBBC, designed for the net's core kids six to 12 audience. continue

m4e acquires Telescreen

To further bolster its European presence, Germany-based media company and licensing agency m4e has acquired 100% of Dutch kids and family entertainment hub Telescreen. continue

4Kids cuts 15% of workforce

Responding to the economic pressure effecting all sectors of the entertainment and media biz right now, 4Kids Entertainment is laying off 15% of its staff across all subsidiaries and divisions. continue

Total Drama Island finale rakes in top ratings on CN

Cartoon Network made some headway in the ratings race as the finale of Total Drama Island set new audience delivery records for the net last week. continue

Mattel named Secret Saturdays master toy licensee

Cartoon Network Enterprises has tapped Mattel as its first major partner for fantasy-adventure property The Secret Saturdays. continue

Video games bucking recession sales stall says NPD Group

Further proof that video games and their related console sales remain buoyant in the face of the economic downturn, US industry tracker The NPD Group reports the industry's US revenues should crack the US$22 billion mark by year's end. continue

Entertainment One acquisition of DHX grounded

It looks like Canadian conglom Entertainment One's deal to purchase fellow Canuck producer and distributor DHX Media, parent company of Decode Entertainment, Halifax Films and Studio B Productions, is off. continue

Planet Nemo and Scrawl Studio line up for Silly Bitty Bunny

France's Planet Nemo and Singapore's Scrawl Studios have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-produce preschool animated series Silly Bitty Bunny. continue

Total Drama continues to draw Canuck tweens

The world premiere of Fresh TV's one-hour tween-centric special Total Drama, Drama, Drama on Canada's Teletoon brought in more than double the season-to-date viewership for the broadcaster. continue

Brand Performance closes video to retail loop with Thwoop.com

Brand Performance, parent co of online retailers Ty's Toy Box and All Aboard Toys, launched Thwoop.com today. The new video-driven online community is looking to bring character fans together to check out content, upload their own videos, review products and make online shopping for related products seamless. continue

Kidz to rep In the Night Garden in Eastern Europe

In The Night Garden will soon be landing on shelves in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, as BBC Worldwide has appointed licensing agent Kidz Entertainment to rep the property in the territory. continue

Layoffs loom at Viacom as 850 jobs get cut

Amid its restructure in the face of global economic pressures, entertainment giant Viacom has reduced its staff by 7%, resulting in total of 850 job losses across all divisions of the company. continue

DCI-LA signs global deals for Deltora Quest

Dentsu's US-based division DCI Los Angeles is expanding anime property Deltora Quest across the globe with a raft of new broadcast and L&M deals. continue

The Fairies keep flying higher in Oz

On the heels of a third-season pickup of The Fairies by Australia's Channel 7 and Nickelodeon Oz, the preschool brand is expanding its retail reach across the country. continue

LatAm pick-up strong for MTVNI kids/music HD service

Viacom-owned MTV Networks International's first HD service featuring kids and music programming will be available in 10 new countries by 2009. continue

Year of the pig? Olivia's appeal sparks new Chinese partnership

Chorion and media giant Shanghai Media Group entered a co-development partnership earlier this month and Chorion executive chairman Waheed Alli filled KidScreen in on plans for its new porcine property Olivia in China. continue

BBC Worldwide flies in licensees for 3rd & Bird

The licensing program for preschool property 3rd & Bird is well under way with the newly announced appointment of master toy partner Fisher-Price and other core-category licensees. continue