Mondo TV, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, announced a number of important breakthroughs in the Iberian market for animated kids’ show ‘Robot Trains’ in both broadcasting and licensing.
Broadcast highlights include the news that a launch on DTT channel Clan TVE is imminent in Spain, following hard on the heels of the June launch of the show on Portugal’s children’s cable and satellite channel Canal Panda.
TV distribution in Iberia is managed by Mondo TV Iberoamerica, a distributor, and producer of audiovisual content operating in Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Spanish-speaking United States.
Licensing interest is growing fast in both countries following the announcement of the Clan TVE launch, which takes place at the beginning of September.
In Spain, Panini is already signed to launch a sticker album in January 2019, with other titles to follow, while Comansi, a leader in 3D figurines for children, will launch a figurines range in Q22019 and Gedis will bring Calamity Car and 3D figurine versions of ‘Robot Trains’ characters to kiosks, starting from BTS 2018.
Bizak is distributing the toy range in Spain on behalf of master toy licensee Silverlit.
To date, the sell-in of the toy line has gone extremely well and Robot Trains toy distribution is widespread in all main retail outlets. The products will be on shelves in time for 2018 back to school season with a strong marketing campaign.
Licensing announcements for apparel, board games, activity books, playing cards soap bubbles, wrapping paper and back to school categories are due soon, with outdoor toys and arts and crafts deals expected to follow later in the year.
In Portugal, where Kay, Alf, Duck, Selly and Victor and their friends have been on the air since 1 June, a Q4 bed linen deal is planned, along with the announcement of a partner for live events. Existing agreements include deals with Kstationery for back to school and Comansi. Concentra in Portugal will distribute the toy range on behalf of master toy licensee Silverlit. With the product on shelves from spring 2019, sell-in is again strong across toy retail.
Maria Bonaria Fois, Mondo TV Iberoamerica Managing Director said, “Spain and Portugal are key markets for Robot Trains, where we are confident that the show’s wonderful cast of characters and engaging, exciting storylines, give it very strong prospects. And we’re planning more announcements very soon. The Robot Trains success story continues!”
An exciting animated series for children aged between four and seven years set in Train World, where all the citizens are trains – but some can transform into robots!
Robot Trains is distributed and licensed by Mondo TV in a number of territories across Europe, including Italy, Spain and Portugal, the Middle East and the Pacific region. Mondo will not only distribute and license the second season of Robot Trains in all these territories but will also be partnering with CJ E&M to co-produce the new series.
The first series of Robot Trains already broadcasts on a number of leading free-to-air channels, including Cartoonitoin Italy, Gulli in France, Canal Panda in Portugal, Carousel in Russia, Cartoonito UK and Dkids in the Middle East.
Robot Trains was ranked the number 1 show on Cartoonito UK during launch week and is so far rated the channel’s number 2 series of the year.
Licensing activity for Robot Trains is also strong in a number of territories, where confectionery and snacks, books, puzzles, confectionery decorations, live characters and events, stickers and trading cards, carnival costumes, personal care products and paper handkerchiefs are just some of the items in shops or soon to appear at retail. Master toy licensee Silverlit of Hong Kong is already working with toy distributors Rocco Giocattoli in Italy, Bizak in Spain and Concentra in Portugal.
