ABC, BBC Studios want more Bluey

Bluey was created by Joe Brumm

Australian pubcaster the ABC and BBC Studios have renewed an animated children’s series after the first season broke viewing records on the ABC’s streaming/catch-up platform iview.

Brisbane-based Ludo Studio will produce a second 52×7’ run of Bluey, created by Joe Brumm (Charlie & Lola). The show follows the adventures of a blue heeler puppy that lives with her dad, mum and little sister Bingo.

The series notched 75 million programme plays on iview, while on ABC Kids it was the most watched Australian kids’ show on metropolitan broadcast TV this year. Production of the new series will start later this month, supported by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland and co-commissioned by the ABC and BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the UK pubcaster.

The state’s premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the production would create 40 jobs and inject nearly A$6m (US$4.1m) into the local economy.

Executive producer Charlie Aspinwall said: “The first series was a massive effort from our talented and dedicated young team. We’ve all been amazed and overwhelmed by how Australians have taken Bluey into their hearts and we’re totally stoked to be making another 52 episodes.”

Henrietta Hurford-Jones, BBC Studios director of children’s content, added: ”Bluey is a series with huge heart, warmth and humour that offers a modern and authentic look at family life – and it has taken Australia by storm. The response from global clients has also been phenomenal and we think it will be embraced by audiences worldwide.”