Thomas & Friends will embark on new adventures that will arrive on YouTube throughout this year. The global preschool content development division for Mattel Inc., HIT Entertainment, will develop 52 three-minute original digital videos for Thomas & Friends. The new short-form videos feature Thomas the Tank Engine having adventures off the Island of Sodor in fascinating destinations like London, Paris, and New York City, and coming to life in children’s playrooms.
The new Thomas & Friends shorts will debut on the Thomas & Friends YouTube channel, and Mattel plans to introduce a new one each week. The videos will be tagged on the Thomas YouTube channel with “World Tour,” and the first video, Thomas & Friends: Thomas Is Leaving the Island of Sodor, teases Thomas’ new adventures.
Other features of the new content include:
• Thomas Comedy Showtime: A mash up of great moments and characters from the Island of Sodor. Each video is accompanied by humorous sports-style commentary analyzing events as they happen.
• Classic Songs: Favorite songs from the original live-action TV series set to new CG animation.
• Mr. Perkins’ Story Time: Everyone’s favorite Thomas & Friends driver returns to narrate classic tales from the classic Railway Series storybooks.
The launch of the new content continues a year of celebration for Thomas & Friends around the world, as the brand celebrates its 70th anniversary with new content, partnerships, and activations this year.
