BBC, Boat Rocker bring Monster to life

The Love Monster books were created by Rachel Bright

UK pubcaster the BBC and Canada’s Boat Rocker Studios have entered into a coproduction partnership on an animated preschool series based on the Love Monster series of books.

The BBC, Boat Rocker and Chinese family media and entertainment company UYoung will work on the 54×7’ animated series to premiere on CBeebies and as-yet-unnamed Chinese broadcasters and digital platforms.

The series is based on the books by British author and illustrator Rachel Bright and the coproduction was approved by China’s National Radio and Television Administration (previously known as SARFT).

The books feature the adventures of the only monster in town as he navigates the challenges involved in being a bit funny-looking in a world of cute, fluffy things.

Love Monster will be exec produced by Tony Reed for the BBC, Chapman Maddox for Boat Rocker and James Chen Gu for UYoung. The UK share of the animation will be produced by Karrot Animation and A Productions, while a proportion of pre-production on scripts, storyboards and design will be provided by UYoung’s studio in China.

Boat Rocker Rights will distribute the series and manage the global brand and licensing, excluding China and South-East Asia, which will be managed by UYoung.

In related news, the BBC is also bringing classic kids’ variety show Crackerjack back to screens. The show, a staple of children’s television from 1955 to 1984, marked the start of the weekend with its mix of sketches, pop performances and games. Now, 35 years after its last outing, a new version will be made at MediaCityUK in Salford by BBC Children’s In-House Productions.

The 10×45’series will be presented by Bafta-winning children’s TV favourites Sam and Mark, and will air next year on CBBC and VoD platform BBC iPlayer.