WarnerMedia Kids & Family expands Cartoonito’s preschool slate with the recently greenlit animated series Dylan, as well as three animated acquisitions: Bing, Odo, and Pocoyo. The growing roster joins previously announced series Batwheels, Little Ellen, multiple forthcoming projects from best-selling children’s book author Mo Willems, and more, that will be available on the upcoming preschool programming block launching this fall on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
Cartoonito was announced at the WarnerMedia Kids & Family Upfront earlier this year and is WarnerMedia’s biggest commitment to preschool in 100 years. It offers a modern approach to preschool programming with its proprietary educational framework, Humancentric Learning, that aims to support every child’s humanness by celebrating their unique selves. All Cartoonito preschool content will align with Humancentric Learning and Cartoon Network’s refreshed brand promise, Redraw Your World, which fosters self-expression and creativity.
New series greenlight for Cartoonito:
Dylan –Based on the book series by bestselling illustrator/author Guy Parker-Rees, Dylan is a CG animated interactive comedy about a highly imaginative, multi-colored striped dog who is eager to play pretend every career, from a train conductor to a nurse to an astronaut. With just some basic props and some great friends, Dylan transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, jumping feet first into every adventure that comes his way. Fueled by creativity, Dylan models best of play and improv leading to wildly original escapades that empower and encourage kids to trust their hearts, imaginations and each other. A CBC original series, Dylan is developed by 9 Story Media Group and produced by 9 Story’s award-winning, Toronto-based animation studio Brown Bag Films.
Newly acquired series for Cartoonito:
Bing – Bing celebrates the joyful, messy reality of preschool life and finds the big stories in the little moments. Bing is a lovable, authentic preschooler, who lives very much in the present moment. Each moment brings new experiences for Bing, which often lead to a bump, spillage or temporary disappointment. By Bing’s side, through it all, is Flop, whose patience and encouragement help Bing, along with his audience, to experience and learn from life’s unpredictable moments. Produced by Acamar Films, in association with Brown Bag Films, Bing has achieved iconic success since it launched in the UK in 2014, winning the International Emmy for Best Children’s Program, the Writer’s Guild Award for Best Writing in a Children’s Program, and a BAFTA nomination for Best Children’s Program. Bing is broadcast in 130 territories worldwide and was originally adapted for television by Acamar Films from the bestselling preschool books written and illustrated by Ted Dewan.
Odo – Created by Colin Williams and produced by Sixteen South and Letko, Odo is a charming and warm-hearted preschool animated series that welcomes kids ages three to five to a world full of possibilities. Although he is one of the littlest campers at the Forest Camp for Young Birds, Odo the owl knows he can do absolutely anything that he sets his mind to. With gender-neutral appeal, Odo also deals with important themes such as immigration, racism, respect for others and shows kids how to deal with setbacks in a meaningful way while promoting the development of self-efficacy and encouraging kids to believe in themselves.
Pocoyo – Pocoyo is a preschool series created and produced by Zinkia Entertainment. It tells the story of a curious little boy discovering the world around him, and accompanied by his best friends: Pato, Elly, Sleepy Bird and a whole cast of surprising and delightful characters. Over the years, Pocoyo has been recognized with more than 40 international awards, including a BAFTA for the Best Preschool Series and the Annecy Crystal.
About Cartoonito
Cartoonito is the WarnerMedia Kids & Family preschool programming block set to debut on Cartoon Network and HBO Max this fall. Inspired by Positive Psychology and 21st Century Learning, Cartoonito is based on the proprietary preschool educational framework of Humancentric Learning, which aims to support every child’s humanness by celebrating their unique selves. With a roster of originals actively in development, Cartoonito will offer modern programming that leans into WarnerMedia’s Kids & Family iconic IP that stems from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios. Mush-Mush & the Mushables and Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go are among a slate of 20 new series that will be available at launch. In addition, a portfolio of originals including Batwheels, Sesame Workshop’s Bea’s Block, Bugs Bunny Builders, Little Ellen, and a collection of projects from bestselling children’s book author Mo Willems will add to thousands of hours of content from WarnerMedia’s legacy library and global acquisitions.
About HBO Max
HBO Max™ is WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform, offering best in class quality entertainment. HBO Max features the greatest array of storytelling for all audiences from the iconic brands of HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and much more. The streaming platform launched in the United States in May 2020 and introduced an advertising-supported subscription tier in June 2021. HBO Max recently began its global roll out launching in 39 markets across Latin America and the Caribbean and will be followed by the replacement of HBO-branded streaming services in Europe later this year.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is the central Kids & Family brand within WarnerMedia and the #1 global animated series network. Combined with a rich legacy of characters and a deep roster of creatives with unique brands of storytelling, Cartoon Network showcases original content from across Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation and beyond that includes such hits as Ben 10, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Teen Titans Go! and more. Under its Redraw Your World tagline, Cartoon Network’s expansive content commitment appeals to the complete spectrum of kids and families including preschoolers, all kids ages 6-11, and family co-viewing. Upcoming new series such as Gremlins, Jade Armor, Total Drama Island, Unicorn: Warriors Eternal, as well as a live-action slate are set to comprise an inclusive Kids & Family programming lineup on Cartoon Network and HBO Max offering more than 300 hours of original content. Seen in more than 185 countries and in 33 languages, Cartoon Network’s historic library can also be streamed on HBO Max.