Duggee hugs, Daleks, detectives, delicious bakes and disco-grooving unicorns… just some of the things that make up BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand’s (ANZ) current portfolio!
It’s been a busy time at Duggee’s Clubhouse, with the second series of Hey Duggee, from award-winning animation studio Studio AKA, airing on CBeebies Australia from October.
The hugely popular pre-school show has captivated young fans (not to mention adults!) around the globe, with the first season selling to more than 80 territories worldwide, including the US, where it recently launched on Nick Jnr.
Australian audiences have really taken Duggee to their hearts, with the show rating as the number one show on CBeebies Australia, and outstanding overnight and consolidated ratings close to 300,000 viewers on ABC Kids. The show has reached over three million Aussie kids to date.
A brand new Hey Duggee plush, of Duggee in his superhero costume from the hugely popular Super Squirrel Badge episode, launches at Myer in November, just in time for Christmas.
Duggee will also be delighting fans face-to-face with appearances at The Melbourne Show, Kidtopia, Foxtel Footy Festival and at Foxtel Kiosks across the country, where he will also be donning his brand new superhero cape – making Duggee hugs even more ‘super!’
Over at Go Jetters’ HQ, the team have recently launched DVDs through Roadshow in Australia, joining the series of books from Penguin Random House that are also currently available.
The first geography based pre-school TV series of its kind, the show has proved to be a big hit with young fans on CBeebies Australia and ABC Kids. World-class partner Mattel is on board as the global toy partner for the brand, and Ubercorn will also be joining Duggee at events across the country over the coming months, showing off some of his disco-grooving moves!
In the latest news from the TARDIS, the eagerly awaited toy version of the Twelfth Doctor’s Second Sonic Screwdriver from Doctor Who is now available at Big W in Australia. A faithful recreation of the current Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver, which debuted during Series 9, it’s the first Sonic to have four light modes and four sound FX.
BBC Worldwide has also announced that an animation of a lost Doctor Who episode, The Power of the Daleks will be released 50 years to the minute after its first and only UK broadcast on BBC One. It is based on audio recordings of the programme using the original cast, surviving photographs and film clips. The animation will be released on DVD in Australia through Roadshow.
All of this comes ahead of the release of this year’s Christmas Special and series 10, which is set to air next year. The series will see the return of Peter Capaldi as The Twelfth Doctor with new companion Bill (Pearl Mackie), who will be joined by guest stars including Matt Lucas and David Suchet.
Brand new Doctor Who spin-off series Class, written and created by award winning YA writer Patrick Ness, also comes to screens later this year, and is set to shine a light on a whole new corner of the Whoniverse. A major broadcaster for the series in Australia will be announced shortly.
Back at 221b Baker Street, a limited edition Sherlock collectible coin set has been released by New Zealand Mint, under official licence from BBC Worldwide ANZ.
A must-have for fans of the multi-award-winning BBC drama, the 2 x 1oz silver coin set features contemporary, colour engraved graphic designs depicting the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his best friend, Dr John Watson (Martin Freeman).
The Sherlock coins are available from New Zealand Mint internationally at a RRP of USD$110.00.
The release of the coin set comes ahead of the show’s highly-anticipated fourth series, which will see the mercurial Sherlock Holmes, back once more on British soil, as Doctor Watson and his wife, Mary, prepare for their biggest ever challenge – becoming parents for the first time. The series will premiere exclusively on Stan in Australia in early 2017, at the same time as the worldwide premiere.
Finally, it’s time to return to the Bake Off shed, with the new series of the hugely popular series The Great Australian Bake Off, airing on Lifestyle FOOD from October 11.
Judged by culinary icon Maggie Beer and acclaimed chef Matt Moran, and hosted by comedians Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle, series two will see 12 new bakers put through a series of gruelling challenges to find Australia’s Best Amateur Baker. On launch, the first series of The Great Australian Bake Off had Lifestyle FOOD’s biggest ever audience with over 300,000 viewers, and the latest series is set to be another recipe for success.
Fans are also in for a treat with the release of the brand new The Great Australian Bake Off Companion book, published by Hachette Australia for release in November. The book features over 90 fully illustrated recipes from the hit TV show and will make the ideal Christmas gift for amateur bakers.
Source: OzTam National STV Panel, Sun-Sat, 2am-2am, Jan-Jul 16, Consolidated, All People
Source: OzTam Metro TV Panel, Sun-Sat, 2am-2am, Jan-Jul 16, Consolidated, All People
