Beyond Rights is pleased to announce that it has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for vibrant new kids’ series The World According to Grandpa, which it will be officially launching to the international market during Kidscreen.

Produced by Saffron Cherry TV for Channel 5 in the UK, The World According to Grandpa (25 x 11) is a colourful new series for three to seven-year-olds that blends live-action and animation. In each episode, Grandpa whisks one of his four grandchildren away – from the comfort of his sofa – to delve into exciting new worlds and answer their questions with tall tales, silly nonsense and outlandish humour. Along the way, the children encounter outer-space bumblebees, jam-making cats, rhubarb-loving monsters, naughty wizards and fire-breathing hamsters! Thankfully, next to Grandpa on the sofa sits Halifax; a (puppet) rabbit you can trust. After Grandpa’s silly story, she sets the record straight with the real answer, delivered in a witty, entertaining and informative style. It’s the perfect marriage of giddy nonsense and educational content.

In addition to this major acquisition, Beyond Rights can also confirm a number of deals for its leading live-action and animation kids’ titles in Australia, the US, Europe, and Asia.

In Australia, ABC has acquired The Wacky Word Show (13 x 30), a zany variety show that inspires kids to have fun with words and language, originally commissioned by TVO Kids in Canada. In the US, BYU has acquired season two of CBBC’s Gym Stars (20 x 30), following the lives of young gymnasts as they train hard and travel the world to compete.

In Europe, Ceska Televize in the Czech Republic has licensed the first two series of CBBC’s The Dengineers (22 x 30), while Hop Channel in Israel has acquired two CBeebies titles; Hushabye Lullabye (10 x 3) and the second series of the award-winning Numberjacks (20 x 15). In addition, Hop has renewed its license for the 1 x 45 Numberjacks special.

In Asia, all three seasons of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix Original series Beat Bugs (78 x 11), plus a 45’ movie special, have been licensed to Disney Japan. The series uses Beatles songs, sung by artists such as Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart and Pink, to tell uplifting and life-affirming stories revolving around the adventures of five child-like bugs.

Continuing the music theme Motown Magic (13 x 11), also a Netflix Original series, has been sold to Radio Television Malaysia. Each episode features a story inspired by a classic Motown hit, covered by a contemporary artist. Motown legend Smokey Robinson serves as executive producer.

Elsewhere in Asia, Daekyo Kids TV in South Korea has acquired pre-school title Hushabye Lullaby (10 x 3), while Hong Kong Cable Television has acquired all four seasons of Junior Vets (40 x 30) and all three seasons (37 x 30) of The Dengineers, the award-winning, inventive makeover-style show from CBBC Productions.

Sarah McCormack, Beyond Rights’ SVP, acquisitions and co-productions was responsible for acquiring The World According to Grandpa, she comments: “We have followed the development of The World According to Grandpa with interest, so are delighted to now be representing this warm, witty and fantastic looking series. It has already proved a big hit with young audiences in the UK since its recent launch and we can’t wait to share its wonderful worlds with our global broadcast partners. The series is destined to be an international hit and the fact that it is uniquely designed for local re-versioning of the live-action elements, if preferred, will only serve to enhance its appeal.”