Next year, Chuggington will get a refresh for its 10th anniversary, with an all-new, sixth season of the animated series from Herschend Entertainment Studios (HES) and an all-new toy line.
Ahead of Licensing Expo, Alpha Group has been appointed as the new global master toy partner for the brand, which HES acquired from Ludorum PLC last December. Alpha Group will design and produce a wide range of toys, including vehicles, track sets, radio control, plush, games, electronics, smart toys, novelty, and seasonal items.
Emmy Award-nominee Michael G. Stern (Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates) will serve as the head writer and co-executive producer for season six. Julie Phillips, HES’ vice president, will serve as executive producer. HES plans a fresh approach for the new season, “with new formats, elements, and storytelling styles.”
“Following Herschend Entertainment Studios’ acquisition last year of the globally beloved property Chuggington, we are investing heavily to develop the brand as a true evergreen franchise,” Phillips says. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with a best-in-class company like Alpha Group with their innovation, state-of-the-art design capabilities and manufacturing facilities, and a global footprint. Additionally, we have Michael Stern, an A-List preschool showrunner, and premiere media partners around the world. As we celebrate Chuggington’s 10th anniversary in 2020 and prepare to move the property into its second decade, we are perfectly aligned with our partners to ensure that we continue to refresh and grow the brand to entertain children for years to come.”
“Chuggington’s heritage as a beloved animation and strong consumer products brand was reason enough, but Herschend’s passion and vision for the global franchise is what makes this opportunity so exciting,” says Mark Slater-Hyndman, Alpha Group’s head of UK and Ireland. “At Alpha, we are honored to be able to bring fans into the World of Chuggington like never before, through innovations that will surprise and delight.”
In its first decade, Chuggington has been seen in more than 178 countries and has achieved more than $1 billion in consumer products sales.
