One of the world’s most popular children’s entertainment groups has a new distributor.
FilmRise, a New York City-based film and television studio and streaming network, has inked an exclusive worldwide distribution deal (excluding Australia and New Zealand) with The Wiggles. Known for its infectious music, videos, and live shows, The Wiggles has captivated and educated children in territories across the globe for the past three decades. The announcement was made at the MIPCOM conference by Max Einhorn, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at FilmRise, and Luke Field, General Manager of The Wiggles.
“We are truly excited about this deal since we understand the immense impact of this iconic intellectual property,” says Katherine Weinstein, Acquisitions Manager at FilmRise. “It brings us great joy to know we are sharing The Wiggles’ enchanting world with children across various territories through diverse forms of home entertainment. What’s even more exciting is the knowledge that they have not ceased their performances and creative endeavors, ensuring that fans can continue to sing along to both the timeless and fresh Wiggles songs.”
The deal includes digital linear, television, and ancillary rights to more than 80 hours of The Wiggles TV series that ran from 1998 through 2012. Every season of these programs showcases the original Fab Four: Greg, Anthony, Murray, and Jeff. Dressed in their vibrant “skivvies” of red, yellow, blue, and purple, the Australian entertainment group left an indelible mark on the global stage.
“We couldn’t be more delighted with the timing of this deal, coinciding with the release of the new Wiggles documentary, Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles,” says Field. “It is the perfect opportunity for children to enjoy the original, beloved programs. We are incredibly excited about our partnership with FilmRise, as we know that we now have a robust distribution arm and a talented marketing team supporting us every step of the way.”
This large package of classic Wiggles programming includes some of the very first TV programs the band created in 1998 as well as multiple hour-long specials. Hit songs that children know and love are featured throughout the catalog, including “Fruit Salad,” “Yummy Yummy,” “Hot Potato,” and “Do The Monkey.”
Prime Video’s upcoming documentary Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles takes a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s enduring legacy. The documentary was released in more than 24 territories on Oct. 14.
