BBC Studios locks in nearly 100-hour kids deal with ABC

BBC Studios has expanded its long-running partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), securing nearly 100 hours of kids and family programming for ABC Kids and ABC iview.

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The agreement includes several Australian premieres, led by Zog, Rafi the Wishing Wizard and Crookhaven. It also adds new factual and entertainment titles to the wider relationship between the two broadcasters.

New premieres anchor the kids slate

Zog, from Magic Light Pictures, is a CG-animated series based on the books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It follows Zog the dragon, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout as they care for the inhabitants of their fantasy world.

BBC Studios handles global sales for the series and represents its licensing rights outside the UK and Europe. Magic Light Pictures retains those rights across the UK and Europe.

ABC will also premiere two productions from BBC Studios Kids & Family. Rafi the Wishing Wizard follows seven-year-old Rafi Martin, who can make one wish each day, while Crookhaven adapts JJ Arcanjo’s book series about students learning to use criminal skills for good.

Other Australian premieres include Dodge’s Pup School, season two of Horrible Science and season seven of Deadly 60. The deal also secures selected seasons of established ABC titles including Horrible Histories, Hey Duggee and Supertato.

Deborah Tod, BBC Studios ANZ director of content partnerships and sales, said: “ABC is a valued long-term partner and a trusted destination for exceptional children’s content in Australia, making it the ideal home for this outstanding suite of engaging and inspiring shows.

“Our partnership has continued to evolve alongside audience demand for premium content, and this latest agreement reflects our shared commitment to delivering distinctive storytelling across genres and platforms. Together, we are bringing audiences of all ages access to the very best in children’s programming, entertainment and factual content.”

Maria-Nicole Miriklis, acquisitions manager at ABC, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with BBC Studios, bringing more outstanding and much-loved children’s programs to our platforms.

“These compelling series will engage and entertain Australian children and families while reflecting the quality content our audiences value.”

Attenborough and comedy also join ABC

The broader content agreement will also bring two programs presented by David Attenborough to ABC: Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure and Wild London.

Six-part comedy The Reluctant Vampire, from Boffola Pictures, will also premiere. The series stars Lenny Rush as Val, a young vampire hiding the fact he is alive rather than undead.

The expanded partnership sits alongside an existing audio agreement that gives Australian listeners access to more than 120 hours of BBC podcasts through ABC Listen, including Stalked and You’re Dead to Me.

Zog launches at 6.25pm on Saturday, 22 August on ABC Kids and ABC iview.