Chinese platforms pick up Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou

The revamped version of live-action series Teletubbies was launched on Netflix

Platforms in China including Youku and iQiyi have acquired classic kids’ series Teletubbies from Canada’s WildBrain, which has also struck distribution deals for Strawberry Shortcake and Caillou in the Chinese market.

OTT services Youku, iQiyi and Bilibili have acquired the revamped version of live-action series Teletubbies (13×30’), which launched last year on Netflix internationally. Distributor Senyu has also picked up the series for various VoD platforms, including Xiaomi and Hisense.

Youku, iQiyi, Bilibili and Senyu have also picked up the original Teletubbies series, totalling 365 half-hours, as have Dreamers Tech and Huashi, with the latter additionally acquiring Teletubbies – Nursery Rhymes (11×2’). Youku, iQiyi and Bilibili have also picked up CGI series Teletubbies Let’s Go! (52×5’).

Other Chinese platforms Youku and JY have bought the CGI seasonal family specials of Strawberry Shortcake (4×45’, edited into 11’ episodes), while JY has also picked up 2D series Strawberry Shortcake Berry in the Big City (120×4’), Berry Bitty Adventures (65×22’) and the classic Strawberry Shortcake series (44×22’).

Finally, iQiyi and Senyu have picked up the most recent CG-animated Caillou series (52×11’), five new CG-animated 45-minute family specials and seasons three to five of digital-first series Caillou’s New Adventures (90×5’).

“These partnerships across our portfolio highlight the continued demand in China for our known IP and the enduring popularity of these recognisable brands,” said Max Tang, WildBrain’s senior manager of content partnership in the Asia Pacific.

“At WildBrain, we are committed to growing our presence in China and Asia Pacific across both content and licensing, forging new audiences and fans for our IP.”