TF1 takes third-party kids’ licences

MIPTV: The licensing and merchandising arm of French commercial broadcaster TF1 is stepping up its activities in kids’ TV, signing agreements with brands including Dora and Friends.

Dora the Explorer

TF1 Licences has become the French agent for promotional licences to Chica Vampiro, Yo-Kai Watch and Dora and Friends. The deals follow its recent similar agreement to become the licensing agent for The Smurfs brand in France.

The L&M division of the French broadcasting group is currently ramping up its ambitions in children’s IP, with Marina Narishkin, who joined as TF1 Licences as MD six months ago, at MipTV in Cannes to this effect.

The strategy includes taking on brands for which TF1 is not necessarily involved as the French broadcaster. TF1 does hold the free-to-air (FTA) TV rights to Dora and Friends but Chica Vampiro is currently broadcast on FTA DTT channel Gulli, while Yo-Kai Watch is premiering first on Boing before moving to Cartoon Network next year.

Narishkin said: “Third-party properties used to represent a third of our activity, but the balance has reversed over recent years thanks to IP such as Hello Kitty, Barpapapa and The All Blacks.

“We are especially interested in classic children’s brands, and also intend to develop further in licences linked to movies and sports.”

The agreement for The Smurfs was driven, among other factors, by the forthcoming release of the new Smurfs feature film.