WildBrain lands YouTube Clangers series

WildBrain’s Clangers toy-play series

London-based children’s entertainment company Coolabi Group has ordered a 10-episode YouTube series based on classic preschool brand Clangers from online network and studio WildBrain.

The original series follows a successful pilot earlier this year and comes as part of DHX-owned WildBrain’s two-year global agreement with Coolabi under which it manages all Clangers content on YouTube.

The new Clangers narrative toy-play series (where hand-held toys are used to create a storyline) is set to launch later this year and will reflect the original Clangers show’s themes of kindness, problem-solving, creativity, family and music. In addition, some of the episodes are linked with key celebrations and sporting events.

Set to launch on Clangers’ YouTube channel for Halloween, the series is aimed at expanding the brand’s international audience.

Clangers first appeared on UK pubcaster the BBC from 1969 to 1972, and returned 46 years after its debut in 2015 on the BBC’s young children’s network CBeebies. Coproduced by CBeebies, Coolabi, Smallfilms and Ingenious Media, the new Clangers series has also been picked up by Sprout and Netflix in the US.

“Clangers is a wonderful example of a preschool property with a strong UK heritage that is now reaching global audiences on YouTube through new content,” said Jon Gisby, MD of WildBrain.

“Since taking over channel management earlier this year, WildBrain has doubled the YouTube audience for Clangers and our viewing data shows strong potential for additional international growth.”