As reported in today’s Herald Sun.
According to The Australian, scrapping content quotas on free-to-air television has dramatically accelerated the shift in children’s viewing towards online streaming platforms. Australian Children’s Television Foundation’s latest annual report shows the 10 most popular children’s “channels” in the past year were almost exclusively streaming services, while the amount of first release Australian children’s programs broadcast on commercial FTA channels fell by more than half in 2021. The annual report says that in 2021, 77% of Australian children watched at least some content on Netflix and 69% watched on YouTube.
EDIT:
Ground-breaking NITV children’s series Barrumbi Kids premieres Friday 18 November at 7.30pm
Coming-of-age adventure of two friends growing up on Country
National Indigenous Television (NITV) is proud to announce the premiere of the brand new family and children’s series Barrumbi Kids, premiering Friday 18 November at 7.30pm (AEDT).
Barrumbi Kids stars Nick Bonson (13) and Caitlin Hordern (14) in their debut acting roles. Supporting cast members include one of Australia’s most accomplished and admired performers Justine Clarke (Play School, The Justine Clarke Show!), 2021 AACTA Award nominee Jacob Junior Nayinggul (High Ground), Frances Djulibing (Ten Canoes, Operation Buffalo), Adrienne Pickering (Rake, House of Bond), Christopher Sommers (The Water Diviner, Unfinished Sky), Sophie Emberson-Bain (Aquaman, Harrow, Neighbours), Finn Treacy (Ten Pound Poms), Serene Yunupingu (Mystery Road: Origin), Penelope Thomas, Stephen Mahy and Scott Hall.
Barrumbi Kids tells the rollicking, coming-of-age story of Tomias (Nick Bonson) and Dahlia (Caitlin Hordern) – two best friends growing up in a magical and remote Northern Territory community. The fast-paced, 10-episode drama is filled with action, humour and heart. Through fishing, dancing and schooling, the children learn about themselves, each other and living in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures.
This heart-warming series was filmed in Beswick (Wugularr), Barunga, Katherine and Bitter Springs on the lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman, Wardaman and Mangarrayi peoples in the Northern Territory.
Acting Head of Commissions NITV, Marissa McDowell, said: “We are thrilled to bring this series to homes across Australia. Barrumbi Kids is the first major Northern Territory children’s series to be produced in the Top End, making it an important story for all Australians. NITV continues to lead the way in representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on screen, and we are proud to have worked with so many talented people on this series to showcase the culture of local Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. An honourable mention to Kyas Hepworth, former NITV Head of Commissions, who was integral to bringing this flagship series to screens.”
Barrumbi Kids is co-produced by Danielle MacLean (True Colours, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, Grace Beside Me, Little J & Big Cuz, Redfern Now) of Tamarind Tree Pictures, Monica O’Brien (Muster Dogs and Drop Dead Weird) of Ambience Entertainment and Julia Morris (Finding Maawirrangga, Phenomenom), and is based on the popular book series by Territory author Leonie Norrington.
Danielle MacLean, Monica O’Brien and Julia Morris, producers of Barrumbi Kids, said: “We’re so excited to share Barrumbi Kids with the world and showcase the fabulous characters, country and culture. This series is full of Top End action – fireworks, million-dollar fish, snakes, corroboree, grass fires, imprisoned chooks and secret waterholes!”
ACTF Head of Content, Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Barrumbi Kids is a delight to watch, full of fun, action, colourful characters and spectacular scenery, giving audiences across Australia and the world a window into what it’s like to grow up in a remote Top End community. The adventures of Tomias and Dahlia will entertain the whole family.”
Barrumbi Kids is a Tamarind Tree Pictures and Ambience Entertainment production for NITV. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with NITV, Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Screen Territory, Screen Queensland and Screen NSW.
Barrumbi Kids premieres on NITV on Fridays from 18 November at 7.30pm (AEDT).
The series will be available in full, to stream for free on SBS On Demand following the premiere and will be subtitled in Simplified Chinese, Arabic and three Indigenous languages: Northern Kriol, Yolngu Matha, and Torres Strait Creole.
Not surprising at all, never should have bumped the one hour weekday timeslot on the main channel. It was only going to go one way once they messed with it.
The weekend blocks could and were easily moved to multi-channels - that I agreed with and also made strategic sense.
Stephen Mahy and Caitlin Hordern appeared on Studio 10 this morning to talk about their roles in Barrumbi Kids.
Entertainment Tonight interviewed The Wiggles’ John Pearce (Purple Wiggle) by Zoom after his Tik Tok videos went viral. The interview was crashed by OG Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle).
Production begins on series inspired by AFL great Eddie Betts’ books Eddie’s Lil’ Homies
An animated television series inspired by the popular children’s books Eddie’s Lil’ Homies has commenced production in South Australia and Victoria and will air simultaneously on Netflix and National Indigenous Television (NITV).
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).
The 10 x 12-minute comedy series follows eight-year-old Eddie and his two best friends Lottie and Tal as they navigate the complex and often fantastical waters of childhood. Their friends are their family and the playground is their universe, one where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.
Produced by Sophie Byrne (The Lost Thing), Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie, the series has been developed and financed with principal investment from the ACTF, along with production support from Coles and the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC).
With the writing talents of comedian and Triple J host Dave Woodhead (Barrumbi Kids, Thalu), Yaraman Thorne (Black Comedy), Ray Boseley (Round the Twist, Lil’ Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers), Lorin Clarke (Beep and Mort, Larry the Wonderpup) and Julie Sam-Yue (Kangaroo Beach), and scripts produced by Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy, You’re Skitting Me), this series will appeal to children across Australia.
The animated series is inspired by the Eddie’s Lil’ Homies books for early readers, My Kind and My People, by Eddie Betts.
The books were written to motivate and inspire literacy and learning, with My Kind focusing on spreading kindness and understanding, acceptance and equality, and My People designed to start conversations about First Nations cultures and to combat racism and bias.
Producer Eddie Betts said: “The Eddie’s Lil’ Homies books have been a labour of love for myself and Anna and something I’m really passionate about. Seeing the enthusiasm for the books as I go around the country, and kids doing the raps on social media and asking us about more stories, were what pushed us to team up with Sophie Byrne and the ACTF to develop the animated series. To then have Netflix and NITV immediately see our vision for the series and come onboard to help us bring Eddie’s Lil’ Homies to life is really exciting. I can’t wait for the kids across the country to see it!”
NITV Head of Commissions Marissa McDowell said: “NITV continues to bring world-class, First Nations children’s stories to Australians. We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with the ACTF following previous success with Barrumbi Kids and Thalu. We are also thrilled to be working with Netflix for the first time, and we hope that children come to love this brand-new series inspired by Eddie Betts’ wonderful books.”
Netflix Director of Content ANZ Que Minh Luu said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with ACTF and NITV for the first time on this charming and fantastical look into the wonder of childhood. As we deepen our local investment we continue to focus on stories and ideas that make Australian audiences feel seen, heard and understood.”
ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Eddie Betts has always been a role model for kids across the country, so when he, Anna and Sophie first approached us we loved the idea of taking Eddie’s message of respect, acceptance and inclusion for each other and country, to the screen in an entertaining, funny and imaginative series. We know kids here and around the world will want to hang out with Eddie, Lottie, Tal, Decks, Junior and friends in their inner-city neighbourhood as they explore, laugh, learn and rap their way through life.”
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is produced for Netflix and NITV with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Production is supported by Coles and financed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation. International sales by the ACTF. Produced by Sophie Byrne, Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie. Executive Producer: Bernadette O’Mahony. Executive Producer/Story Producer: Mark O’Toole. Director: Arthur Moody. Co-Director: Luke Jurevicius. NITV Executive Producer: Marissa McDowell. Netflix Executive Producer: Nakul Legha.
Also see
That’s almost impossible. Netflix doesn’t do livestreams does it?
they means arrives on Netflix, the same day or time it airs on NITV
Yeah so it doesn’t “air simultaneously”.
Not in this instance I believe, but they will be soon - https://about.netflix.com/en/news/chris-rock-will-make-history-as-the-first-artist-to-perform-live-on-netflix and The SAG Awards To Stream Live On Netflix Beginning In 2024 - Netflix Tudum
ABC returns to Mollyvale with more
Beep and Mort!
ABC, Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation are pleased to announce that the heart-warming children’s show Beep and Mort will delight Australian youngsters once again, with a new series coming to ABC and ABC iview later in the year.
Based on Windmill Pictures award-winning theatre show, Beep and Mort which combines live-action puppetry with post-animation, follows the adventures of Beep a robot from the stars and Mort a cuddly creature from Mollyvale. Although they come from different worlds, they’re best friends.
ABC Head of Children’s Libbie Doherty says, “Australians have fallen in love with these two beautiful characters Beep and Mort and embraced this breakout series that is distinctly quirky and charming in equal measure. Every generation needs its own puppet series and we are delighted to be bringing more of Beep and Mort to audiences later this year. We’re proud to work alongside Kaye and Rosemary at Windmill and grateful to our funding partners, SAFC, Screen Australia and ABC Commercial who are instrumental in delivering this first class, engaging show for children all over the world to enjoy. We’re also delighted that Sky UK has acquired the series for its recently launched channel Sky Kids, and anticipate that audiences in the UK will love it as much as we do.”
Screen Australia’s Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon said, “We are proud to support the talented team at Windmill Pictures as they venture into the second season of this hugely popular program for the ABC. With its fantastical, cuddly imagery and themes of self-discovery and the enduring value of friendship, I’m sure Beep and Mort will continue to delight young viewers here and around the world in season 2.”
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “Congratulations to South Australia’s Windmill Pictures on the success of their utterly delightful series Beep and Mort. The South Australian Film Corporation is proud to support the second season of this highly original children’s series, and with it, launch the new ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund, a three-year partnership between our organisations to deliver exciting new South Australian based projects and high-quality content by South Australian creatives to ABC TV and ABC iview.
Beep and Mort reflects the very best of what the SAFC is all about: enabling South Australian writers, directors and producers to create and commercialise original IP, supporting South Australian production companies to scale and growing South Australia’s screen capability through consistency of high-quality production activity. We welcome the South Australian State Government’s commitment of $5.2m over three years to this exciting new fund to further strengthen the South Australian screen industry, and drive strong economic and cultural outcomes for the state.”
Production credit: A Windmill Pictures Production. Major production funding from Screen Australia. Developed and produced in association with the ABC. Financed and developed in association with the South Australian Film Corporation. Worldwide distributed is managed by ABC Commercial.
The delicious return of Ginger and the Vegesaurs
Premiering on Monday 29 May, 7.50am on ABC Kids and ABC iview
The inhabitants of Vegesaur Valley are back! ABC is thrilled to announce that the second series of the prehistoric preschool comedy Ginger and the Vegesaurs will premiere on Monday 29 May, 7.50am on ABC Kids and ABC iview.
With a new episode each week day, season two sees Ginger, an inquisitive young Tricarrotops and the pod of baby Pea-Rexes throwing themselves into further fun and adventure in the rich and colourful Vegesaur Valley.
With five new species to meet and epic new landscapes to explore, every day is exciting when you’re a young Vegesaur in the Late Crunchiest period – 70-65 million years ago.
From the depths of the crystal lake Ginger and her pals come across the huge and friendly Watermelonsuchus; on the snowy mountains they meet a woolly-skinned Kiwimammuthus; and on the plains of the valley floor they encounter a small and feisty Beetrootasaurus*.*
Produced by Cheeky Little Media (Kangaroo Beach) using Unreal Engine, a 3D animation technology, Ginger and the Vegesaurs season two is a vivid, imaginative, and adventurous romp for ages 3-6.
Production credit: A Cheeky Little production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with the assistance of and distributed by Studio100. Developed with assistance of the ABC. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. Executive Producers: Patrick Egerton, David Webster, Gary Eck and Nick O’Sullivan. ABC Head of Children’s Libbie Doherty. ABC Executive Producer Jo Boag.