CoComelon, Sharksons head for Shahid VIP as Moonbug extends MBC Group pact

Moonbug Entertainment’s popular toon CoComelon

Moonbug Entertainment properties CoComelon, Sharksons and Blippi are heading to Arabic SVoD platform Shahid VIP after the children’s entertainment company expanded its deal with MBC Group.

Under a previous agreement with MBC, which owns Shahid VIP and is among the largest media companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Moonbug licensed properties including Little Baby Bum, Go Buster, Playtime with Twinkle, Little Baby Bus, ARPO, My Magic Pet Morphle, Digley & Dazey and Toddler Fun Learning.

Cartoon CoComelon and educational series Sharksons and Blippi will land on the service this month .

“MBC Group has a dedicated and loyal user base, and we are delighted to deepen our partnership with such a well-respected and wide-reaching broadcaster across MENA,” said Nicolas Eglau, MD of EMEA and APAC at Moonbug.

“The family viewing experience is one that’s extremely important to us, which is why Shahid and MBC Group are determined to bring the very best of child-friendly entertainment to its platforms,” added Shahid’s director of content Tareq Al Ibrahim.

Several of Moonbug’s children’s properties have become popular in recent years, particularly CoComelon, leading to the London- and LA-based company being acquired last month for an estimated US$3bn by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Blackstone Group-backed media venture.

Earlier this month, Moonbug partnered with Middle East platform OSN to launch its first Moonbug Kids branded linear preschool kids channel to the region. The linear channel launched on December 12, allowing families 24/7 access to Moonbug’s full collection of kids’ shows including Cocomelon, Blippi, Morphle, Little Baby Bum and Mia’s Magic.

Recent original commissions from Shahid VIP include a local version of BBC Studios comedy format The Stand Up Sketch Show, Beirut-set sci-fi drama Hell’s Gate and Rashash, created by UK screenwriter Tony Jordan.

Shahid VIP has also been pursuing international expansion, having launched in North America in October 2020.