WildBrain London

Last updated
WildBrain Family International Limited
WildBrain London
FormerlyWildBrain (2016–2019)
WildBrain Spark (2019–2024)
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Digital media
Predecessor Wildbrain Entertainment
Founded25 April 2016;8 years ago (2016-04-25)
Headquarters
London
,
England
Area served
Worldwide
Parent WildBrain
Divisions WildBrain Digital Studios
Website www.wildbrain.com/content-creation/digital-studio
The evolution of WildBrain
WildBrain logo.svg
1968 FilmFair London is founded
1971DIC Audiovisuel is founded
1972 Strawberry Shortcake brand is first developed
1974 CPLG is founded
1976CINAR and Colossal Pictures are founded
1982DIC Enterprises is founded
1984 Ragdoll Productions is founded
1987DIC Audiovisuel closes
1988 Studio B Productions is founded
1992 Epitome Pictures is founded
1993DIC Enterprises becomes DIC Entertainment
1994 Wild Brain is founded‚ and Red Rover Studios is founded, DIC Entertainment brands as The Incredible World of DIC
1995Platinum Disc Corporation is founded
1996CINAR buys FilmFair's library
1997 Decode Entertainment is founded
1999Wild Brain acquires Colossal Pictures' employee base
2002 Nerd Corps Entertainment is founded
2004Halifax Film Company is founded, CINAR rebrands as Cookie Jar Group
2005Platinum Disc Corporation merge as Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
2006Decode and Halifax Film merge as DHX Media, DIC acquires CPLG, and Ragdoll Worldwide is formed with BBC Worldwide
2007DHX Media buys Studio B Productions and Wild Brain becomes Wildbrain Entertainment
2008Cookie Jar Group absorbs DIC and House of Cool absorbs Red Rover Studios
2010DHX Media buys Wildbrain Entertainment‚ and Peanuts Worldwide is founded
2011Decode Entertainment and Red Rover Studios closes
2012DHX Media buys Cookie Jar Group
2013DHX Media acquires Ragdoll Worldwide’s back catalogue
2014DHX Media buys Epitome Pictures, Nerd Corps, and Echo Bridge Home Entertainment's family content library, as well as Family, the English version of Disney Junior, the French version of Disney Junior and Disney XD; Cookie Jar Group is absorbed
2016The WildBrain multi-channel network launches and Studio B and Nerd Corps merge as DHX Studios
2017Wildbrain Entertainment closes; DHX Media buys Peanuts Worldwide and Strawberry Shortcake
2018Halifax Film becomes Island of Misfits
2019DHX Media rebrands as WildBrain, Epitome Pictures closes, and the WildBrain MCN becomes WildBrain Spark
2020CPLG becomes WildBrain CPLG
2021Echo Bridge folds into SP Distribution
2023WildBrain acquires House of Cool
2024WildBrain Spark merged into its parent company as WildBrain London
The logo of WildBrain Spark from 2019 to 2024 WildBrain Spark logo.svg
The logo of WildBrain Spark from 2019 to 2024

WildBrain Family International Limited, operating as WildBrain London (formerly WildBrain and WildBrain Spark), is a British multi-channel network owned by Canadian media company WildBrain (formerly DHX Media). It distributes and produces preschool and children's video content for YouTube and other digital platforms. The division officially launched in 2016; it reuses trademarks associated with Wildbrain Entertainment, an animation studio that had been acquired by DHX. [1] It maintains offices in London.

Contents

The division is responsible for distributing pre-existing material and creating original animated and live-action shorts based on properties owned by its parent company and partners. WildBrain Spark also manages the YouTube presence for a number of external brands and businesses, including Beyblade Burst , Bing , Larva , Moomins, Mr. Bean Animated , Outfit7, Playmobil, The Smurfs, NBCUniversal, Turbozaurs and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

In September 2019, DHX Media changed its name to WildBrain, citing strong brand recognition stemming from the MCN. Concurrently, the MCN was renamed WildBrain Spark. [8]

In November 2023, WildBrain Spark merged into its parent company under its YouTube network business in London, along with Digital Studios and Media Solutions, and it was completed in January 2024 with Kate Smith appointed as Executive Vice-president for Audience Engagement. [9]

Productions

Programs streaming on YouTube

Related Research Articles

<i>Teletubbies</i> British childrens television series

Teletubbies is a British children's television series created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport for the BBC. The programme focuses on four differently coloured characters known as the Teletubbies, named after the television screens on their bellies. Recognised throughout popular culture for the uniquely shaped antenna protruding from the head of each character, the Teletubbies communicate through gibberish and were designed to bear resemblance to toddlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelvana</span> Canadian animation studio and entertainment company

Nelvana Limited is a Canadian animation studio and entertainment production company owned by Corus Entertainment and formerly Shaw Communications since 2000. Founded in July 1971 by Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, and Clive A. Smith, it was named after Nelvana of the Northern Lights, the first Canadian national superhero, who was created by Adrian Dingle. The company's production logo is a polar bear looking at Polaris, the North Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse TV</span> Canadian childrens TV channel

Treehouse TV is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel that was launched in 1997. Its name comes from sister network YTV's former programming block, "The Treehouse". The channel is owned by YTV Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment. Having launched on November 1, 1997, it is the first ever full-day preschool-oriented TV channel in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family Channel (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian cable channel

Family Channel is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by WildBrain. The network primarily airs children's television series, teen dramas, as well as other programming targeting a family audience. Despite having its own headquarters in the Brookfield Place office in Financial District, the channel is transmitted from Corus Quay.

Michael Hirsh (born April 7, 1948) is a Belgian-born Canadian producer, TV executive, entrepreneur, and author. He has been attributed to building from the ground up the Canadian animation industry and, more specifically, award-winning children's programming since the 1980s.  He co-founded Nelvana, a Canadian based animation and entertainment studio in 1971 with partners Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith producing numerous cartoons that established Nelvana as a leader in the industry including Little Bear, Franklin, Babar, Max & Ruby, The Magic School Bus, Care Bears, Adventures of TinTin, Inspector Gadget, Droids  and  Ewoks, among many, many others. After Corus Entertainment's acquisition of Nelvana, Hirsh became CEO of Cookie Jar Entertainment, which created numerous highly popular children's shows, among them  Arthur,  Johnny Test, and Strawberry Shortcake. When Cookie Jar was acquired by DHX Media Hirsh became the Executive Chairman of the company, the largest supplier of kids programming to online streaming services as well as a leader in production and licensing and merchandising for children. Three years after the acquisition by DHX Media, Hirsh left the company to serve as CEO and chairman of WOW! Unlimited Media from 2015 to December 2023.

Wildbrain Entertainment, Inc. was an American entertainment company and animation studio that developed and produced television programming, motion pictures, commercial content, and licensed merchandise. Established in 1994, it maintained offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epitome Pictures</span> Canadian film and television production company

Epitome Pictures Inc. was a Canadian film and television production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn in 1992, the company is best known for producing Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class, the fourth and fifth respective entries of the Degrassi teen drama franchise, of which was co-created by Schuyler. Other television series produced by Epitome include Liberty Street,Riverdale, and The L.A. Complex. In 2016, Epitome was absorbed into DHX Media and the Epitome name and branding ceased.

WildBrain Ltd. is a Canadian media, animation studio, production, and brand licensing company, mostly associated as an entertainment company. The company is known for owning the largest independent library of children's television programming, including the assets of acquisitions such as Cookie Jar Group, Epitome Pictures, and Wildbrain Entertainment among others, distribution rights to the Jay Ward Productions library, and a stake in the Peanuts franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strawberry Shortcake</span> Cartoon character

Strawberry Shortcake is a cartoon character used in greeting cards published by American Greetings. Strawberry Shortcake’s character was originally conceived as a mascot for a line of fruit-flavored candy before officially evolving into the beloved character today. The line was later expanded to include dolls, posters, and other products featuring the character, as well as an extended cast of friends and pets. In addition, the franchise has spawned television specials, animated television series and films. The franchise is currently owned by the Canadian children's television company WildBrain through the holding company Shortcake IP Holdings LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney XD (international)</span>

Disney XD is a brand of children's TV channels owned by The Walt Disney Company. Since its American debut on February 13, 2009, the brand was launched in other markets. The channel was formerly known as Toon Disney or Jetix in most areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WildBrainTV</span> TV channel in Canada (formerly Disney XD and Family CHRGD)

WildBrainTV is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by WildBrain. WildBrainTV broadcasts live-action and animated children's programming aimed towards audiences ages 6–15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family Jr.</span> Television channel

Family Jr. is a Canadian specialty channel owned by WildBrain. A sister channel to Family Channel, it broadcasts children's programming aimed at viewers aged 2 to 7. Legally, the channel operates as a multiplex service of Family Channel, stemming from its former licensing status as a premium television service; therefore, it is distributed at no additional charge to Family Channel subscribers. Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it was available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9 Story Media Group</span> Canadian media company

9 Story Media Group Inc. is a Canadian media production, animation studio, and distribution company founded in September 2002 by Vince Commisso, Steve Jarosz, and Blake Tohana.

Eric Ellenbogen is an American entertainment executive known for co-founding Classic Media and serving as CEO of Marvel Enterprises from 1998 to 1999. He is the former chief executive officer and vice chairman of WildBrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Kids</span> American childrens television channel

Universal Kids is an American children's television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of NBCUniversal, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast.

WildBrain Studios is the in-house television studio arm of Canadian entertainment company WildBrain based in Vancouver, British Columbia, which was established in 2016 as DHX Studios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloudco Entertainment</span> American entertainment company

Those Characters from Cleveland, LLC, officially doing business as Cloudco Entertainment and formerly known as AG Properties and American Greetings Entertainment, is an American company which formerly traded as American Greetings' former character brand division. Properties owned by the company include Care Bears, Holly Hobbie, Madballs, Buddy Thunderstruck, Tinpo, The Get Along Gang and Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese.

<i>Snoopy in Space</i> Web television series

Snoopy in Space is an animated television series inspired by the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. Developed by Mark Evestaff and Betsy Walters, and produced by WildBrain Studios, the show debuted on November 1, 2019 on Apple TV+.

References

  1. ↑ Dickson, Jeremy (April 26, 2016). "DHX Media unveils online kids net WildBrain". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  2. ↑ McLean, Thomas (June 14, 2018). "WildBrain and 'Beyblade Burst' Let It Rip on YouTube". Animation World Network . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  3. ↑ Whyte, Alexandra (February 12, 2018). "WildBrain teams up with Cyber Group Studios". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  4. ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (April 11, 2017). "WildBrain to shape Larva's YouTube presence". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  5. ↑ Franks, Nico (August 12, 2019). "WildBrain to oversee Moomins on YouTube". C21 Media. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  6. ↑ Tuchow, Ryan (January 31, 2019). "WildBrain adds Smurfs, Playmobil to portfolio". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  7. ↑ Dickson, Jeremy (January 5, 2017). "Turner Kids YouTube channels get leg up from WildBrain". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  8. ↑ "DHX rebrands as WildBrain". Kidscreen. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  9. ↑ "WildBrain restructures its exec ranks to serve streamlined business". Kidscreen. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  10. ↑ "MOOSE TOYS DELIVERS A TRIPLE THREAT WITH NEW 'AKEDO' FRANCHISE COMBINING ACTION FIGURES, BATTLING AND COLLECTABILITY". WildBrain (Press release). Los Angeles. June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ @WildBrain_spark (May 31, 2019). "The brand new and reimagined 'Animal Mechanicals' is back in 3D! The new series is launching this Saturday. This robot slapstick comedy is perfect for kids between the ages of 3 and 6. Watch tomorrow on our channel!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019– via Twitter.
  12. ↑ Hutchins, Robert (September 4, 2020). "WildBrain Spark teams with Funrise Toys to develop online content for its collectable doll brand BFF Bright Fairy Friends". Licensing.biz. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  13. ↑ Mitchell, Ben (August 28, 2019). "WildBrain launches original hand-drawn series 'Boy & Dragon'". Skwigly . Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Caillou's New Adventures". Amazon.com . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  15. ↑ "CRAYOLA LAUNCHES NEW SEASON OF DIGITAL-FIRST CONTENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WILDBRAIN SPARK". Crayola (Press release). Easton: WildBrain. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  16. ↑ @WildBrain_spark (January 16, 2018). "Check out the first episode of our new show DJ Lance and the Upbeat Retreat! The beat is infectious in this one ... 🎵🎵🎵 Show it to your kids, they'll love it" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019– via Twitter.
  17. ↑ Ash, Rebecca (October 6, 2020). "WildBrain Spark and Cosmos-Maya in Partnership for Eena Meena Deeka". Total Licensing. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  18. ↑ "The Ellie Sparkles Show". WildBrain Spark. YouTube. July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  19. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (May 5, 2021). "Clip: emoji brand, WildBrain Launch New IP 'emojitown'". Animation Magazine . Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ Buckley, Madeleine (September 27, 2018). "WILDBRAIN TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL HAIRDORABLES CONTENT FOR JUST PLAY". Toybook. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  21. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (June 5, 2018). "WildBrain Launching Its First Co-Pro 'Hydro and Fluid' on YouTube". Animation Magazine . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  22. ↑ "The League of Johnnys -Johnny Test: The Lost Web Series". WildBrain Spark. YouTube. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  23. ↑ "WildBrain Celebrates the Launch of Kiddyzuzaa Land". WildBrain Spark. WildBrain. March 15, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  24. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (February 5, 2021). "WildBrain Spark Teams with Copenhagen Bombay for 'Kiwi & Strit' S3". Animation Magazine . Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  25. ↑ @WildBrain_spark (August 13, 2018). "We're incredibly proud to have worked on a brand new 2D animation for classic cartoon, Peanuts, featuring Charlie Brown and Lucy. Check out the first episode on YouTube" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "Polly Pocket 🌈Animated Episodes". WildBrain Spark. YouTube . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  27. ↑ Amidi, Amid (December 3, 2018). "Popeye Is Back...But You'll Wish He Weren't". Cartoon Brew . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  28. ↑ Pinto, Jordan (September 20, 2019). "Epic Story, DHX build out Slugterra universe". Kidscreen . Brunico Communications . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  29. ↑ Hutchins, Robert (September 9, 2020). "WildBrain Spark teams with Park Star Media to develop Super Binks digital series based on the popular Korean toy line". Licensing.biz. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  30. ↑ Deegan, Gordon (July 27, 2019). "Game changer: Irish Fairy Door cartoon launched". Irish Independent . Mediahuis . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  31. ↑ Smith, Kate (June 6, 2019). "How WildBrain made it 'YouTube Time' for Teletubbies". Preschool News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  32. ↑ "WildBrain says Teletubbies, Let's Go! In CG-animated preschool spin-off".
  33. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (May 2, 2017). "WildBrain Creating 'Tulipop' Webtoon & Channel". Animation Magazine . Retrieved October 1, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.