Social media networks featuring short-form video continue to drive music licensing deals, with Universal Music Group announcing this week a licensing deal with Singapore-based TikTok rival Lomotif. Lomotif is a social networking platform with the mission of democratizing video creation. The company was co-founded by video enthusiast Paul Yang in 2014, and has been granted three technology patents uniquely focused on empowering creators to share and watch short videos with ease through remix and collaboration. The Lomotif app is available in the Apple and Google stores, and Lomotif is one of five partners selected by Snapchat for a bi-directional integration for posting stories between the two platforms. While not as large as TikTok, Lomotif has been downloaded more than 225 million times, and has 31 million monthly active users, watching an average of… . . . read more
Universal Signs Content Deal With Starz
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Filmed Entertainment Group has signed a content agreement with Starz, filling out a network of interlocking agreements that provide a long-term home for its content. The agreement means that Universal films will be streamed first on Peacock, then on Amazon Prime Video, and finally on Starz. Here’s a brief outline on how the interlocking agreements will work. First, UFEG plans to stream movies on NBC Universal’s streaming service Peacock for the first 120 days after the theatrical release of its films. After that point, as reported earlier in The Licensing Letter story below, UFEG has signed a deal with Amazon that will see Prime Video exclusively stream Universal’s 2022 and future live-action titles during the middle ten month period of that 18-month window… . . . read more
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten Getting Super Ratings
Genius Brand’s new show Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten has already surpassed 40 million views on Kartoon Channel since its debut on April 23. “I knew the viewership would be great, but even I didn’t think we would be getting this level of views with just 11 episodes streaming so far,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is both executive producer and stars in the show. “Over 40 million views in just a few short months is an incredible achievement, and I am so honored by this reception. I want to thank the entire team for the fantastic work. I know Stan Lee himself would be so proud. We have 15 more episodes left in our first season, so this is just the beginning!” The show has put out 11 episodes so far… . . . read more
Talking Tom Breaks Out With New Series, Licensing Program
The hugely popular Talking Tom franchise is getting a major update this year, as brand owner Outfit7 launches a new CP licensing program, a 3D animated series, and a new Talking Tom interactive app. It’s hard to believe, given the global success of the Talking Tom and Friends videos, but the brand actually started as what now seems like a simple iPhone app. That app allowed users to speak to Tom on their mobile device, and he’d repeat the phrase in his own hilarious way. Since then, Talking Tom & Friends have enjoyed a staggering 79 billion views, and the character is a global phenomenon. Outfit7 and its North American global licensing partner, Epic Story Media, this week announced new deals for the award-winning family entertainment brand, Talking Tom &… . . . read more
MGM Teams Up On All New Robocop Game
Leading studio MGM is teaming up on production of an all-new Robocop video game for PC and consoles. One of the top sci fi movies of the past half century, Robocop debuted in 1987 and still maintains a strong fan base and licensing program 35 years later. Game publisher NACON and Metro Goldwyn Mayer say they have signed an agreement to launch Robocop: Rogue City, a game based on the first three films in the original RoboCop universe. The highly-anticipated game will feature a new RoboCop story and is being developed by the studio Teyon, which also developed the critically successful Terminator: Resistance. The game is planned for release in 2023 for console and PC platforms. “We’re very much looking forward to collaborating with NACON and Teyon to bring one… . . . read more
Berenstain Bears Licensed For SolidRoots Games
The toy and game designer Solid Roots is previewing a new line of Berenstain Bears games in October, following a licensing agreement with Random House Children’s Books. The full launch of the line is expected to come out in spring of 2022. Random House and the Berenstain Bears franchise recently selected SolidRoots as its licensee to produce games “that appeal to a child’s sense of humor,” and that reflect the family-friendly theme established in the franchise, which started publishing in 1962. “Having grown up with the Berenstain Bears, I feel incredibly honored to partner with them, and create games for a new generation,” said SolidRoots Co-Founder/Creator Jen Armstrong. “Our goal as a company is to reimagine what family-friendly games can be, so getting to work with the Berenstain family, who have… . . . read more
Cuteness Overload: Elmo Gets a Puppy!
Elmo by himself: Super cute. Elmo with a puppy: Massive cuteness overload. In a move that makes you think, ‘why didn’t this happen before?’, Sesame Workshop is coming out with an animated special called Furry Friends Forever: Elmo Gets a Puppy. The special will also, of course, generate a new licensing program, beginning with the simultaneous launch of new Sesame Street books and consumer products based on Elmo’s new puppy Tango. The 30-minute show tells the story of the affectionate Elmo meeting up with a stray Puppy, adopting her, and then going on a mission to find Tango her forever home. The show, produced in partnership with A Productions, will premiere on Aug. 5 on HBO Max, and will air again next year on PBS KIDS. Sesame Street Makes Room for… . . . read more
Sony Creative Products Repping Sesame Street in Japan
Sesame Workshop has named Sony Creative Products as its sole licensing agent in Japan for its popular Sesame Street brand. Sesame Street is the pioneering children’s television program that has been teaching kids their ABCs for over 50 years. The show began in 1969 when the program’s creators had the innovative idea of using the emerging technology of television to educate preschool-aged children. With a rigorously researched curriculum, a groundbreaking, diverse human cast, and the fun, furry appeal of the Sesame Street Muppets, the experiment succeeded and thrived, with more than 1,000 studies to date showing Sesame Street’s positive impact in the U.S. and around the world. Today, Sesame Street is seen in over 150 countries, including Japan, and generates $1.4 billion in worldwide retail sales of licensed products. Sesame Street… . . . read more
Miraculous Hit 100 Million Plays on Roblox
A Miraculous mini-game built into Roblox has hit 100 million plays in only seven weeks, demonstrating once more the power of licensing on the Roblox platform. The game Miraculous RP: Quests of Ladybug & Cat Noir was developed by Toya Studio, a gaming dev team that specializes in creating games for the Roblox platform. The game is based on the animated TV series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, which targets girls ages 6 to 12 as well as boys ages 4 to 7. It is the first game based on a TV series to be developed for Roblox, where it entered the “popular” category within 48 hours and the “up and coming” category within 72 hours. Amazingly, that occurred even though the game was in beta, and therefore had no… . . . read more
Stor SL Signs Up For Bluey Licensing
“Bluey The Most Important Pre-School Property Since Frozen.” — Valentin Ortiz, CEO, Stor SL. Manufacturing giant Stor SL is on board for a sprawling licensing deal with the Bluey franchise from BBC Studios. The studio says it has signed a deal for a Bluey collection of more than 50 items for the UK & Ireland and EMEA markets. That includes meal sets, drinkware, lunch bags, tumblers, canteens, plates and bowls, sandwich boxes, placemats, cutleries, porcelain mugs, bottles and storage boxes. Stor also offers tailor-made options to retailers who request an exclusive line. The range will feature sustainable and eco-friendly material such as stainless steel, aluminium and porcelain. Stor is adding natural fibers to traditional plastics to reduce the percentage of plastics by up to 30%. “We are delighted that Stor is… . . . read more