TV Bytes: New Animated Series Seasons, Sales & Co-Pro Deals

Big Bad Boo Studios announced the return of its Canadian Screen Award-nominated preschool animated series 16 Hudson for a fourth season, launching on TVOKids and Radio-Canada Zone Jeunesse on October 26. The new season will also air on Knowledge Kids in British Columbia and TFO in Ontario. Other show broadcast partners include Oznoz, VmeKids, RTP Portugal, Discovery Kids, ICI Television and Prime Video. Additional partners include the Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund.

Led by head writers John May and Suzanne Bolch, Season 4 introduces new families including single mom Bridget, who takes over for Ivan as the super, and her non-binary child JJ, who move to 16 Hudson from Trinidad. The returning cast led by Vincent Tong, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St Germain and Cathy Weseluck, also welcomes Caitlin Stryker (The Good Doctor), Donna Benedicto (Supergirl) and Haven Markus (Daisy & the Gumboot Kids).

The Pokémon Company International announced that Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope, the next new season of the popular animated series, will premiere in the U.S. on January 6, 2026, exclusively on Netflix.

Season 3 will follow Liko and Roy — and their respective partner Pokémon — a year after the events in Laqua as they set off on more adventures with new friends across different regions, chasing after the mysterious pink mist and rebuilding the Rising Volt Trackers.

Banijay Kids & Family announced that British actress Alison Steadman OBE (Gavin & Stacey, Secrets and Lies) will voice the indomitable character of Grumblestunk in new animated series, Stan & Gran. The new title was commissioned by 5’s Milkshake! (premiering Nov. 10) and Nick Jr. U.K. (premiering 2026).

“I’ve had a lifelong passion for wildlife, I can spend hours watching the birds in my garden. So, when Stan & Gran came along, I just fell in love with Porthole and the funny and relatable characters — especially Grumblestunk and her somewhat nefarious ways!” said Steadman. “The show’s all about being outside and celebrating nature, what’s not to love about that!”

Co-produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (part of Banijay Kids & Family), Jollywise and Xentrix Studios, the CG-animated series is distributed by Banijay Kids & Family Distribution. It follows the mystery-busting adventures of Stan Breakwater, a curious and excitable young nature lover, and his fun-loving, dynamic Gran, as they investigate the strange goings-on in the fictional British coastal village of Porthole. Steadman will star as the curmudgeonly shopkeeper Grumblestunk, who often adds a dash of mischief to each mystery, alongside Charlie Oscar as Stan and Julie-Ann Dean as Gran.

Hasbro’s Peppa Pig is teaming up with The Pinkfong Company’s Baby Shark in a one-of-a-kind collaboration. The debut includes an original mash-up track and animated music video, blending both brands’ theme songs. This marks the first time Peppa has collaborated with another family entertainment music artist, as well as a special mash-up for Baby Shark’s 10th anniversary year.

The Peppa Pig x Baby Shark collaboration launches globally on December 26 across YouTube and social platforms, with full-length and short form formats available

Award-winning Toronto-based prodco Gazelle Automations has appointed Meta Media Entertainment as worldwide distributor of their preschool series Go Togo. A CBC Kids Original production, Season 2 of Go Togo (31 x 5′) will premiere on CBC Kids and CBC Gem in Canada on December 1.

Go Togo follows young transit vehicles Togo the subway, Stella the streetcar and Wheeler the bus as they as they pick up riders and explore the big city of Transitville. With the help of Hub the control tower, these young vehicles explore early preschool learning concepts, from socio- emotional themes to basic math problems as they go about their very important jobs each day. The series is produced using animatronics and hand-crafted sets.

Animaccord is opening another chapter for Masha and the Bear brand with the upcoming launch of Seasons 8 across multiple European markets. The new season will deliver fresh stories and new characters with the show’s signature humor and musical moments.

In Season 8, Masha gets behind the wheel of her very own car for the first time — and that’s just the beginning of a whirlwind of adventures. From chaotic road trips and magical mischief to “frozen summer” holidays and mysterious new characters, the season is full of surprises. Masha continues to keep Bear and the rest of her friends on their toes, all while the series maintains its signature dynamic, recognizable visual style, and joyful energy that fans around the world love.

The S8 rollout in Q4 2025 will include Star Channel in Greece, Panda+ in Portugal and SuperToons in Bulgaria. Across Central and Eastern Europe, Media Squad will distribute the season via local VOD services in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Digital platform Tring TV will exclusively bring the new episodes to audiences in Albania, while Puls Kids on Puls 2 will debut the season in Poland.

TFOU, the TF1 group’s children’s slot, and Ellipse Animation announced the development of a new animated series, Animal Jack (52 x 11′, Kids 5-8). The show is adapted from the comic book by Belgian writer Kid Toussaint and illustrator Miss Prickly, published by Dupuis and with over 1 million copies sold.

The series centers on 10-year-old Jack, who possesses the extraordinary ability to transform into any animal he wishes. But Jack is also mute. Although he cannot speak, he communicates in other ways, through his gestures, his looks and above all thanks to his friends who know him inside out. Far from being an obstacle, his difference becomes a strength that enriches the daily life of the whole town and allows him to create unique bonds with those around him.

Banijay Kids & Family has forged a new co-production arrangement with creator business platform TheSoul Publishing to launch of original IP, Ava & Digger, a digital-first 52 x 11’ 2D-animated series set to debut on YouTube and streaming platforms later this year. Banijay Kids & Family will spearhead global distribution.

The all-new series follows the adventures of two animal friends living with their psychologist owner. Beneath the surface of their cozy domestic life lies a vibrant, secret social world, where animals navigate emotional challenges, friendships and self-discovery.

The two companies recently announced a crossover projects, Totally Spies! x 5-Mnute Crafts.

Multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comics publisher Oni Press and New York Times bestselling writer and cartoonist Matt Kindt announced a new publishing and media partnership that will bring his Flux House publishing imprint to Oni Press for an array of new series beginning in summer 2026.

Oni and Kindt also brokered a large-scale acquisition of media rights for more than 20 properties in the Flux House library, with options to develop these titles into film, television, animation, video games, podcast and other mediums. Development o fnew projects will be led internally by Oni with Kindt as a producer alongside David Steward II (Lion Forge), Hunter Gorinson and Jeremy Colfer.

The Flux library includes 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, Apache Delivery Service, BANG!, Crimson Flower, Ether, Fear Case, Gilt Frame, Hairball, Mr. Mammoth, Poppy & The Lost Lagoon, Red-Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes, Spy Superb, Subgenre, Super Spy and If You Find This, I’m Already Dead.

Sales & Acquisitions:

• Madgic Distribution signed the first sales for new series Emerald, following its debut at MIPJunior. Knowledge Canada, Mediacorp Singapore and Noga Israel have all picked up the 18 x 11′ series plus a 22’ special, adapted from the hit book series by Harriet Muncaster and aimed at kids 4-7. Produced by Kelebek Media for Sky Kids (U.K.)
• Moon-Keys International Content acquired the 2D-animated comedy Migali (52 x 11′, Kids 5-8) for international distribution. Based on the bestselling book series about a young Spider Princess and her Royal Academy classmates from other kingdoms. Produced by Easy Peasy Entertainment and Bardaf! Productions in co-pro with TF1, RTBF, VRT and RTS, delivers in Summer 2026.
• France TV Distribution has launched Maebee for worldwide sales. Following the tiny but mighty escapades of a gnome named Mae and her befuddle brother, Bee, the 2D preschool series (52 x 7′) is created by Becca & Tim O’Sullivan, produced by Karrot Studio and Kavaleer Production, and set to air on France TV and CBeebies (U.K.)
• Epic Story Media Distribution has picked up global rights to the 2D-animated Icelandic series Ormhildur the Brave, from Compass Films. Currently in production for delivery in Q1 2026, the 26 x 22′ fantasy-adventure-comedy for kids 7+ is set in a future where Earth’s melted glaciers have released mythical beasts, and a young girl sets off on a quest to cast a powerful spell and restore the ice. Broadcast/co-pro partners are KiKA, NDR, RUV, YLE, SVT, DR and NRK, along with co-pros Projects, Animation Studio Iceland and Letko (Poland).
• Ánima Kitchent has renewed its long-standing partnership with leading Turkish children’s channel Minika for the popular preschool series Cleo & Cuquín. The deal secures Seasons 1 & 2  and Cuquin: Discover & Explore for broadcast and digital for four years.
• Banijay Kids & Family secured new deals for edutainment toon Once Upon a Time… Season 8, The Objects, has been picked up by Puls 2’s Puls Kids in Poland, Turkuvaz Media Group’s children’s channel Minika GO in Turkey, TFO in Canada and Radio Television Hong Kong. AMC Networks International CNE acquires Seasons 3 and 7 (Life, Planet Earth) for multiple Eastern European territories; and SF Studios picking up Season 3 for Norway and Sweden.
• Media I.M. Incorporated announced the first sales for its preschool series Tatty and Misifu (57 x 5′, Toy Town Kids), along with a string of new deals for its legacy property Sunny Bunnies. All five seasons of Tatty and Misifu sold to Janson Media for Prime Video, as well as U.S. AVOD platform HappyKids and Canadian children’s streaming service Kidoodle.TV. Approaching its 10th anniversary, Sunny Bunnies hops to Viaplay for Seasons 5 to 8 for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland; Animeta (S1-6) for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Sensical U.S (S1 & 2); PRO TV Romania (S1-6); Nelonen Finland (S5 & 6); and BabyFirst (S5 & 6) for the U.S. and Latin America. Spacetoons has acquired the L&M and events rights for MENA, with a view to producing Sunny Bunnies meet-and-greets and stage shows.
• Hasbro announced the launch of a Peppa Pig & Friends FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus, slated for this Fall, offering Peppa Pig content as well as other preschool shows like Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom.