Mondo TV will produce, distribute and licence third series of hit kids’ show
The third season of Robot Trains is on the way!
Yes, Mondo TV, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, has announced that it will soon be working with Korea’s CJ E&M on the popular kids’ animated action-adventure show.
The successful completion of the second season of Robot Trains – which is now rolling out across multiple markets – was quickly followed by an agreement between Mondo TV and CJ E&M, one of South Korea’s largest content and marketing companies, for the production of a third season of the series. The new season will be made up of 52 episodes of 11 minutes each. The 3D CGI series will launch in autumn/winter 2020.
Season three of Robot Trains is a first for Mondo TV, which was the distributor and licensing agent of series one and added co-production to its portfolio for series two. For series three, Mondo TV will be in charge of the whole production, with an ownership stake of 90% in the new series. CJ E&M will retain ownership of the original property and have a 10% stake in the third season.
Mondo TV will continue to take care of distribution worldwide (except Asia but including China) for both audiovisual rights and licensing and merchandising. CJ E&M will take care of the distribution of the new show in Asia (except China).
The themes and storylines of series three are still under wraps but the introduction of new characters, concepts and locations in series two is proving very popular with broadcasters and more innovation can be expected for series three of this highly successful show.
Robot Trains is 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!
The first series of Robot Trains already broadcasts on a number of leading free-to-air channels, including Cartoonito in Italy and Gulli in France, Dkids in the Middle East, Cartoonito UK, Clan TVE in Spain and Canal Panda in Portugal. More territory announcements are imminent. Series two is rolling out across a number of regions this year.
Licensing activity for Robot Trains is also strong in many territories, where toys, confectionery and snacks, books, puzzles, confectionery decorations, live characters and events, stickers and trading cards, carnival costumes, personal care products, augmented reality apps and paper handkerchiefs are just some of the items in shops or soon to appear at retail.
Matteo Corradi, CEO of Mondo TV S.p.A., said: “We are delighted with this new agreement, which builds on the success of series one and the continuing rollout of series two. With growing awareness and a continuing onscreen presence into 2020 and beyond we’re expecting the value of Robot Trains, both as a broadcast and as a licensed property, to grow even more in the coming years.”
