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American TV production operation founded 2016 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mattel Television Studios[3] is the television production division of American toy and entertainment company Mattel, originally founded on March 31, 2016 as the successor to Mattel's earlier entertainment division, Mattel Playground Productions, under the name Mattel Creations.[4][5]
Logo used since 2019 | |
| Formerly | Mattel Creations (2016–2019) Mattel Television (2019–2023) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Industry | Television production |
| Predecessors | |
| Founded | March 31, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Burbank, California, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products | |
| Parent | Mattel |
| Footnotes / references [1][2] | |
It took on its current name with the hiring of former Disney Branded Television programming executive, Adam Bonnett, on February 5, 2019[6] and began gravitating heavily towards the production of streaming media for release on YouTube variants and Netflix whiles maintaining the television forays of its previous incarnation.[7][8]
Before the formation of Mattel Creations, Mattel signed a pact with DHX Media (now WildBrain) on 16 December 2015 to co-produce and co-distribute newer productions and episodes of existing television shows and web series based on Polly Pocket, Little People and HIT Entertainment brands Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam.[9] At MIPCOM 2015, HIT Entertainment itself, through its owner Mattel, announced its last partnership in its existence with 9 Story Media Group to revive/reboot Barney & Friends and Angelina Ballerina for distribution in 2017, but nothing was disclosed of in terms of green-lighting them since then.[10]
Mattel formed a division called Mattel Creations on March 31, 2016, seeking to unify, centralize and revamp its entertainment business; it absorbed its main entertainment division at the time, Mattel Playground Productions, HIT Entertainment and the American Girl creative team in Middleton, Wisconsin on its launch.[4] Mattel then appointed its then-chief content officer, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, as its head and had HIT Entertainment president Christopher Keenan elevated or promoted to being its senior vice president overseeing development and production of productions from the division.[4][5]
Mattel Creations signed an exclusive 7-year global subscription video on demand (SVOD) rights agreement with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for the Barbie film library on October 16, 2016, including the two films released at the time; Barbie: Star Light Adventure and Barbie: Video Game Hero.[11]
Catherine stepped down from her position and left Mattel on February 12, 2018 to take over as general manager of Craftsy, with Mattel's co-president and chief operating officer, Richard L. Dickson, adding the oversight of the division to his roles.[12]
Mattel hired former Disney Branded Television programming executive Adam Bonnett as executive producer and head of a reorganized Mattel Television on February 5, 2019, which effectively replaced Mattel Creations.[6] A week later, Mattel Television announced a proposition of twenty-two animated and live-action television programs.[7][8] Former Saban Brands executive, Frederic Soulie, who was appointed as the senior vice president for content distribution and business development of the franchise management group division set up by Dickson and Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel, to expand the company's entertainment business, was named senior vice president and general manager of Mattel Television.[1][2]
On February 23, 2021, Mattel Television announced the return of the Monster High brand three years after its last production with an animated series and a live-action musical film, both of which aired on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ in the United States on October 6, 2022.[13][14] On August 30, 2021, with the Universal deal expired, Mattel struck a deal with local home video releasing powerhouses, Mill Creek Entertainment and NCircle Entertainment, for the newer Netflix-based content for DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD distribution to the U.S. and Canadian markets.[15][16][17][18][19]
On September 7, 2021, following the debut of the streaming television film Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams on Netflix, Mattel hired former NBCUniversal vice president of current programming, Philip "Phil" Breman, to be the vice president oversseing live-action scripted and unscripted series development.[20][21][22] Following its global popularity and success, Mattel Television unveiled a 26-episode animated streaming television musical serial adaptation and continuation of the film on February 1, 2022 known as Barbie: It Takes Two.[23][24] The first half of episodes were released on Netflix in the U.S. on April 8, 2022 with the other half on October 1, with availability in other countries and territories reached 3 months after the American release. The series also aired on television in Australia, the UK and Ireland, Canada and Portugal.
On October 21, 2022, Mattel announced an agreement extension with Netflix that would make available the pre-2017 film catalogue previously held by Universal Pictures occasionally through the streaming service and the inaugural interactive "special" in the Barbie media franchise, Barbie: Epic Road Trip, which released 4 days later.[25][26][27] On October 25, 2022, Mattel capitalized on the audiovisual revival of Monster High by jointly announcing a sequel to the live-action film with Nickelodeon and Paramount+, which began production began the following year on February 7 and premiered on October 5, 2023.[28][29][30][31][32]
On February 16, 2023, Mattel published through Google Drive its content slate portfolio for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 fiscal years,[33] including a revival of Fireman Sam and a makeover revival of Barney.[34] On March 7, 2023, NBC green-lighted a car makeover competition featuring Hot Wheels called Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.[35][36]
On September 28, 2023, Netflix announced Hot Wheels Let's Race, a new animated series adaptation of Hot Wheels which premiered on March 4, 2024.[37] On November 16, 2023, Michelle Mendelovitz was hired to head the division.[3]
In August 2024, Mattel Television announced that Hot Wheels: Let's Race! was renewed for a second season. The second season premiered in September 9, 2024.[38]
On October 21, 2024, Mattel Television Studios announced that it would co-develop another television series in the Pingu franchise with Aardman Animations.[39]
| As Mattel Creations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Release date(s) | Type | Co-producer | Distributor(s) | Notes |
| Thomas & Friends: The Great Race |
|
Animated film | Arc Productions |
|
|
| Barbie: Star Light Adventure |
|
Animated film |
|
Final production of Arc Productions before payroll glitch-turned-bankruptcy and re-opening as Jam Filled Entertainment's Toronto division/branch | |
| Barbie Dreamtopia[41] |
|
Animated web serials |
|
|
Began with a teaser promo video released on YouTube on 14 January, followed by 4 3-minute shorts also released on YouTube between 5 May to 21 July and then a 46-minute television special released by Universal on 16 June, all in 2016, which was broadcast on television in 5 countries and regions. The positive reception obtained resulted in the green-lighting of a web special released on 4 May 2017 called "Festival of Fun" and a 26-episode web series, which was released from 5 November 2017 to 1 April 2018, both on YouTube and YouTube Kids. The former would be re-released in 3 pieces as part the first batch of the latter. Ireland-based Relish Studios produced a web mini-serial spin-off of the franchise titled Barbie Return to Dreamtopia as part of a broader animated web series franchise known as Barbie's Dreamworld which was released between 21 July and 21 October 2021. |
| Monster High: Great Scarrier Reef | June 23, 2016 | Animated film | DHX Media Vancouver |
|
61 minutes[42][43] |
| WellieWishers | September 8, 2016 | Animated series | Submarine Studios |
|
2 seasons, 26 episodes; American Girl doll franchise[5][44] |
| Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase | October 18, 2016 | Animated film | Rainmaker Entertainment | Pre-production done by Arc Productions prior to its closure. The film was brought over to Rainmaker Entertainment for completion. | |
| Barbie: Video Game Hero | January 31, 2017 | Last Barbie film to be shown on either Nickelodeon or other/another children's television network(s) in the United States | |||
| Monster High: Electrified | February 12, 2017 | Flaunt Studios |
|
64 minutes | |
| The Toy Box | April 7, 2017 – November 19, 2017 | Reality series |
|
2 seasons[47] | |
| Monster High: Adventures of the Ghoul Squad | August 11, 2017 – February 9, 2018 | Animated web series | YouTube | 12 11-minute episodes | |
| Barbie Dolphin Magic | September 18, 2017 | Animated film | Rainmaker Entertainment | Television:
|
Only Netflix-exclusive Barbie film to be released on home video (DVD and Digital HD) and video on demand by Universal.[48] |
| Thomas & Friends | September 18, 2017 – January 20, 2021 | Animated series | Jam Filled Entertainment |
|
Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and HIT Entertainment |
| Pingu in the City | October 7, 2017 – March 30, 2019 | NHK Educational TV | 2 seasons | ||
| Minecraft Mini Series | October 26, 2017 – May 10, 2018 | YouTube | |||
| Fireman Sam | November 18, 2017 – present |
|
|
| |
| Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures[a] | May 3, 2018 – April 12, 2020 | Animated streaming television series | Mainframe Studios | Netflix (U.S., International) Television:
|
5 seasons, 52 episodes[41] |
| Polly Pocket | July 8, 2018 – present | Animated series | WildBrain Studios |
|
|
| As Mattel Television | |||||
| Barbie: Princess Adventure | September 1, 2020 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Netflix | |
| Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday | April 16, 2021 | Inaugural film to star Chelsea Roberts in a lead role since Barbie: Dreamtopia | |||
| Masters of the Universe: Revelation | July 23, 2021 – November 23, 2021 | Animated streaming television series | Powerhouse Animation Studios | 2-part animated series | |
| Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams |
|
Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Inaugural Barbie-branded production starring Barbie Roberts from Malibu and a darker-skin tone Barbie Roberts from Brooklyn, New York City in Mattel's statement push to showcase absolute diversity within future productions in its media franchise. It was given a limited theatrical release in the British Isles on 20 August 2021 before the American Netflix debut. | |
| Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go | September 13, 2021 – present | Animated television series | Nelvana |
|
Reboot of Thomas & Friends |
| He-Man and the Masters of the Universe | September 16, 2021 – August 18, 2022 | Animated streaming television series | Netflix | Re-imagining of the eponymous original 1983 TV series produced by Filmation. | |
| Barbie: It Takes Two[23][24] |
|
Mainframe Studios | Television:
|
Unveiled on 1 February 2022, via the Mattel website.[23][24] Television adaptation of Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams. First aired on television in Australia on 4 March and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 2 April before launching on Netflix in the U.S. on 8 April. Also aired on television in Canada on 10 April[53] and in Portugal on 17 April.[54] The first half of episodes was released on 8 April and the other half on 1 October. | |
| Deepa & Anoop | August 15, 2022 – November 7, 2022 | Animated musical streaming television series | Kickstart Entertainment | Netflix | The inaugural television show based on original homegrown intellectual property. Created by Bollywood animator Munjal Shroff, written by Lisa Goldman and produced by Heather Kenyon, the show follows the adventures of a 7-year-old girl named Deepa, voiced by Pavan Bharaj, and her friend, a color-changing baby elephant named Anoop.[55] 2 seasons.[56] |
| Barbie: Mermaid Power | September 1, 2022 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios |
|
This film was also shown in theatres/cinemas across Europe and the Middle East between September and October 2022. Second television film and third production overall to feature two girls named "Barbie Roberts". Perceived among fans as the sequel to Barbie Dolphin Magic. |
| Pictionary | September 12, 2022 – present | Game show |
| Syndication | |
| Monster High: The Movie | October 6, 2022 | Live-action musical film[58] |
|
Both were announced on 23 February 2021.[14][13] | |
| Monster High[14][13] | October 6, 2022 – present | Animated television series | Nickelodeon Animation Studio | Nickelodeon | |
| Barbie: Epic Road Trip[25] | October 25, 2022 | Animated streaming interactive special[60][61] | Mainframe Studios | Netflix (U.S., International)[62] | The 4th production to feature two girls named "Barbie Roberts". The inaugural interactive special of the Barbie media franchise. |
| Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure | March 16, 2023 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Inaugural film to star Skipper Roberts in a lead role with more screen time than previous Barbie-branded productions. | |
| Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge[35][36] | May 30, 2023 – August 8, 2023 | Reality series |
|
NBC | |
| Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge[64] | July 17, 2023 – September 2023 |
|
HGTV | ||
| Polly Pocket: Sparkle Cove Adventure | August 21, 2023 | Animated streaming television special | WildBrain Studios | Netflix | Mattel Television and WildBrain created this special as a way to close out Summer 2023. The special follows Polly Pocket as she explores an unknown world filled with magic. It is a 66-minute long film.[65] |
| Barbie: A Touch of Magic | September 14, 2023 – present | Animated streaming television series | Mainframe Studios | Streaming: Netflix (US, international) Television:
|
|
| Monster High 2 | October 5, 2023 | Live-action musical film |
|
|
Announced on 25 October 2022 alongside the debut of Barbie: Epic Road Trip.[28][29] Production began on 7 February 2023 with moments and scenes shared on social media.[30][31] |
| Masters of the Universe: Revolution | January 25, 2024 – present | Animated streaming television series | Powerhouse Animation Studios | Netflix | Sequel to Masters of the Universe: Revelation. |
| Hot Wheels Let's Race[66] | March 4, 2024 – present | Sprite Animation Studios OLM, Digital |
|||
| Scrabble | October 3, 2024 – present | Game show | Hasbro Entertainment Lionsgate Alternative Television |
The CW | First television series co-produced by Hasbro and Mattel.[67] |
| Barney's World | October 14, 2024 – present | Animated television series | Nelvana |
|
|
| Title | Original run | Format | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little People | 1999–2007 | TV series | Direct-to-video |
|
|
| Barbie | 2001–2014 | Film series |
|
|
Films released between 1 September 2010 and 31 March 2014 were under the sales mark name of "Barbie Entertainment". |
| Hot Wheels: World Race | 2003 | Miniseries | Cartoon Network | Mainframe Entertainment | |
| Rescue Heroes: The Movie | Film | Direct-to-video | Nelvana | ||
| Fisher-Price Baby Development series | Miniseries | Direct-to-video | Benjamin Productions | ||
| Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse | 2004 | Short film | Mike Young Productions | ||
| My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica | Film | Curious Pictures | |||
| My Scene: Masquerade Madness | |||||
| Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza | 2005 | Short film | Direct-to-video | ||
| Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers | Television special series |
|
Mainframe Entertainment | ||
| My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie | Film | Direct-to-video |
| ||
| PollyWorld | 2006 | Film | Nickelodeon | Curious Pictures | |
| The Barbie Diaries | Animated motion-capture film |
|
This film only showed the Mattel logo after the closing credits, which only happened once in a Barbie film, until 2014. | ||
| GeoTrax | 2007–2008 | TV series | Direct-to-video | ||
| Planet Heroes | 2008 | ||||
| Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse | 10 January 2012 – 27 November 2015 | Web shorts | Arc Productions | ||
| Max Steel | 2013–2015 | TV series |
| Title | Original run | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas & Friends | 1984–2021 |
|
|
Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and finished by Mattel Creations/Television |
| Fireman Sam |
|
|
|
Brand acquired by Gullane Entertainment in 2001 and in turn acquired by HIT Entertainment |
| Pingu |
|
|
||
| Captain Zed and the Zee Zone | 1991 | Children's ITV | ||
| Where's Wally? | 1991 |
|
|
|
| Barney & Friends | 1992–2010 | PBS Kids | Continued from The Lyons Group/Lyrick Studios | |
| The Wind in the Willows | 1995 | TVC London | Television film | |
| Professor Bubble | 1996–1997 | ITV | ||
| Percy the Park Keeper | 1996–1999 | ITV | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge | 1996–2000 | BBC One |
|
|
| The Willows in Winter | 1996 | TVC London | Television film | |
| The Phoenix and the Carpet | 1997 | BBC | ||
| Animal Ark | 1997–1998 | ITV |
|
|
| Kipper | 1997–2000 | ITV | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| Big Sister, Little Brother | 1997 |
|
||
| The Three Friends and Jerry | 1998–1999 |
|
|
|
| Anthony Ant | 1999 | Funbag Animation Studios | ||
| Bob the Builder | 1999–2011 | (series 17–18) | ||
| Fly Tales | 1999 |
|
||
| Ted Sieger's Wildlife | 1999 | ZDF | Hahn Film | |
| Faeries | 1999 |
|
|
|
| Sheeep | 2000–2001 | CBBC | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| The Magic Key | 2000–2001 | BBC Two | Collingwood O'Hare Entertainment Limited | |
| Untalkative Bunny | 2001–2003 | Teletoon |
|
|
| Oswald | 2001–2003 | Nickelodeon | Nickelodeon Animation Studio | |
| Angelina Ballerina | 2001–2006 | ITV | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| Rubbadubbers | 2003–2005 |
|
HOT Animation | |
| Wobbly Land | 2007 | Nick Jr. | Brown Bag Films | |
| Frances | 2008 | PBS Kids Sprout | The Jim Henson Company | |
| Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps | 2009–2010 | PBS Kids | SD Entertainment | |
| Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island | 2010 | Direct-to-video | The Answer Studio | |
| Mike the Knight | 2011–2017 |
|
Nelvana | |
| Bob the Builder | 2015–2018 | Channel 5 |
|
Finished by Mattel Creations |
| Title | Original run | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barney and the Backyard Gang | 1988–1991 | Direct-to-video | The predecessor to Barney & Friends | |
| Wishbone | 1995–1997 | PBS Kids | Big Feats! Entertainment | |
| Kids for Character | 1996 | Direct-to-video | Special | |
| Kids for Character: Choices Count | 1997 | |||
| Wishbone's Dog Days of the West | 1998 | PBS Kids | Big Feats! Entertainment |
| Title | Original run | Network | Co-production with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shining Time Station | 1989–1993; 1995 | Catalyst Entertainment (seasons 2–3) | |
| Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales | 1996 | PBS | |
| It's a Mystery | 1996–2002 | ITV (CITV) |
|
| Captain Pugwash | 1974-1975 | BBC 1 | BBC Television |
| The Adventures of Captain Pugwash | 1998 | CITV (ITV) | John Cary Films |
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