BBC Studios Appoints France TV Distribution as French Licensing Agent for 'Bluey'

BBC Studios has announced the appointment of France TV Distribution as its French licensing agent for the children’s series “Bluey” across the region. France Télévisions has also secured the title for France 5. Previously Bluey has been available to French children’s audiences via Disney Junior since December 2019.

“Building on the success of ‘Bluey’ in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and of course the widely anticipated launch in the U.K., I am delighted that we have expanded our preschool portfolio with France TV Distribution, as our licensing agent for ‘Bluey’ alongside ‘Hey Duggee’ and in turn strengthening our partnership with them,” says Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager, BBC Studios.

BBC Studios’ partnership with global master toy provider Moose Toys is in place and preparations to launch in the territory in 2022 are underway. Moose Toys already markets a wide range of “Bluey” toys in Australia and the U.S., as well as the U.K.

“Moose Toys looks forward to working with France TV distribution to build on the outstanding break-out success of ‘Bluey’ in both the U.S. and Australia and to roll out ‘Bluey’ toys across France in 2022,” says Vincent Brun, commercial and marketing director, Moose France.

Global master publishing partner Penguin Random House will launch books in France next year following the successful launches in both U.S. and Australia and U.K. this Autumn.

For other product categories, France TV Distribution is in the process of setting up a licensing program with the upcoming recruitment of partners for textiles and accessories, bedding, outdoor games, party and home.

"We are very happy to become the agent of the ‘Bluey’ brand and thus strengthen our collaboration with the BBC (after the recent acquisition of ‘Hé Oua-Oua’),” says Aude de la Villarmois, director, licensing department, France TV Distribution. “France TV Distribution demonstrates once again its ambition to accompany the most powerful preschool brands. ‘Bluey’ joins the large family of Okoo's must-have brands and France TV Distribution's license line-up (‘Peppa Pig,’ ‘Pyjamasques,’ ‘Masha and Michka’ and ‘T'Choupi’). Our strong expertise in the preschool field makes France TV Distribution a solid partner."