BABOON GETS NUTS
Baboon Animation and Tokyo and Los Angeles-based indie studio Custom Nuts are joining forces in a toon development pact that pools the companies’ writing and visual talent.
Custom Nuts founder Silas Hickey developed a number of hit Asian animated series, including “Chhota Bheem,” while serving as senior development director at Turner International, Asia Pacific.
Hickey and fellow Custom Nuts exec Matthew Howison signed the deal with Baboon CEO Mike de Seve at Mipcom.
“Silas and Matthew bring absolute top-class expertise, deep, first-hand experience in IPs from countries across Asia, and funny, funny cartoon comedy,” said de Seve.
“There are no better writers anywhere than Baboon,” added Hickey.
Baboon’s credits include more than 20 series that have been distributed globally, including “Angry Birds Toons,” “Gigantosaurus” and “Pocoyo.” The company boasts 31 Emmys collectively.
“Expect some extremely funny cartoons to come out of this partnership,” said Baboon head of series Joe Vitale.
TOP GEAR FAST ON PLUTO
BBC Studios’ high-octane Top Gear FAST channel has landed on Pluto TV for the EMEA region.
Already on Pluto TV in Europe (Spain and Nordics) and North America (U.S. and Canada), the Top Gear FAST channel will now be available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy offering various seasons of the long-running “Top Gear” motoring show created by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman.
All channels will be available with local language dubbing.
“‘Top Gear’ is an enduring icon in the world of motoring entertainment,” said Kasia Jablonska, head of VOD at BBC Studios.
Added Katrina Kowalski, Pluto TV’s senior VP of international content programming and acquisitions, said “‘Top Gear’ has captivated viewers for decades with its unique blend of entertainment and automotive expertise. Adding the legendary ‘Top Gear’ experience to Pluto TV across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France enhances our viewers’ entertainment options, adding an iconic channel to our already diverse and strong content line-up.”
BBC STUDIOS-NIPPON TV ALLIANCE
BBC Studios and leading Japanese media and entertainment group Nippon TV are co-developing the new comedy gameshow format “Koso Koso.”
BBC Studios will distribute the format globally, with Nippon TV overseeing distribution in Asia.
The format is set to launch at the BBC Studios Showcase in February.
The new format stems from the companies’ co-development partnership and Asia-based content incubator Empire of Arkadia (EOA).
In “Koso Koso,” contestants think they are in a reality show, unaware of a secret squad of celebrity agents out to prank them in order to win them a cash prize.
The pilot aired in Japan in June on Nippon TV’s flagship commercial broadcast network, achieving a strong 24.9% share in the 13-49 demo.
“Together we have created a format which may not have happened in isolation – it’s a real coming together of U.K. and Japanese creativity to create a format that will have wide appeal,” said BBC Studios managing director Suzy Lamb.
