Paramount has shared some of their exciting upcoming plans for a raft of iconic properties with the January 2025 issue of Toy World Magazine!
Please note that plans featured in this post are primarily for the U.K. market, and release dates may differ in different regions.
PAW PATROL
Paw Patrol continues to dominate as the No.1 pre-school property and holds its place as a top pre-school show on Nick Jr. and Milkshake!, with consumption increasing quarter on quarter.
In 2025,
Paw Patrol will continue to captivate fans with exciting new themes such as
Air Rescue, which will have a Skye-focus and see the pups take to the skies. The content
premiered on Nick Jr. and Paramount+ in October 2024 to great success. In the first half of 2025, new
Air Rescue products will launch across Toy and Apparel. In the latter half of the year, the
Fire Rescue theme will launch, which will see Marshall lead the team. The new themes will introduce new vehicles and locations, including a new airport HQ and fire station HQ in Adventure Bay. This, as well as a whole host of specials, leads viewers to a
third theatrical set to premiere in July 2026.
Rubble & Crew, a
Paw Patrol spin-off series focusing on English bulldog Rubble and his construction crew family, launched in consumer products last year to great success, featuring in DreamToy's top picks for Christmas 2024. The show, currently in its second season, is a Top 5 pre-school show on Nick Jr. Looking ahead, a new season will drop in 2025 with an expanding consumer products line.
In the world of location-based entertainment, the
Paw Patrol Live! Great Pirate Adventure will return to the UK in summer 2025, bringing everybody's favourite pups to the stage for an action-packed, high-energy musical adventure.
2025 will mark the launch of
Paw Patrol's Global campaign,
To the Rescue, a multi-year effort between Spin Master Entertainment and Paramount designed to support parents as they nurture the development of their toddlers with a focus on teamwork, problem solving and imagination. The global campaign will see the launch of all-new meaningful retail activations, partnerships and experiences, as well as the development of existing relationships, such as the ongoing partnership with educational resource provider
Twinkl, whose
Paw Patrol resources have now positively impacted over 2.1m children in the UK alone.
With its commitment to delivering engaging content and fostering meaningful connections, Paw Patrol remains a beloved brand for fans, ensuring its place as a staple in pre- school entertainment. For licensing enquiries, contact Elodie Rivero-Stevenet.
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants celebrated its 25
th anniversary last year with a range of exciting collaborations and partnerships. Now, as the franchise looks ahead, a dynamic slate of new content, gaming releases and consumer products promises to captivate fans of all ages in 2025 and beyond.
As part of 2024's celebrations, Paramount+ brought an exciting
SpongeBob SquarePants activation to the
F1 Fan Zone at the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, featuring activities and photo opportunities as well as a
SpongeBob-themed F1 show car. In addition, Paramount, in collaboration with Off The Menu, launched a one-of-a-kind
Krabby Patty Kollab in October 2024, which saw over 100 renditions of the iconic Krabby Patty come to life in more than 250 local restaurants across New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Las Vegas, Toronto, London, and Mexico City, including
Wendy's.
On the content front,
SpongeBob SquarePants remains a powerhouse. The series consistently ranks as the No.1 non-pre-school show on UK Kids TV, while
The Patrick Star Show regularly lands in the Top 5 non-pre-school shows on Nickelodeon UK. In 2024,
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie premiered on Netflix, debuting as the No.1 kids' title on the platform globally. Looking forward, the franchise will expand further with the launch of its 15
th season,
two new greenlit seasons for
The Patrick Star Show, and the highly anticipated theatrical release of
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in December 2025. Fans can also look forward to
Plankton: The Movie, which will give the franchise's iconic microscopic villain his moment in the spotlight.
Gaming continues to be a significant driver of
SpongeBob's success. In 2024,
Patrick's Day Out launched from Outright Games, while the existing
SpongeBob SquarePants Simulator remains a Top 10 brand game on Roblox. In the latter half of 2025, the gaming slate will expand further with exciting new launches including a console game.
Consumer products remain a vital part of the franchise's reach and appeal. In 2025, fans can expect new core and film product launches across Toy, Apparel, Home and CPG, alongside a global high-end designer collaboration set to debut in the first half of the year. These launches will help keep SpongeBob SquarePants a front-of-mind at retail and in households worldwide. For licensing enquiries, contact Elodie Rivero-Stevenet.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Celebrating its 40
th anniversary in 2024, the
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise continues to captivate its core audiences of 6-11-year-olds and grown-up superfan audiences with exciting new content and collaborations. August 2024 saw the launch of the animated series
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. During its premiere week, the series became the No.1 title on Nickelodeon and the No.2 non-preschool title on kids' TV, showcasing the enduring appeal of the Turtles among both longtime fans and a new generation.
Building on this momentum, Season 2 of
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will arrive on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon in 2025, while a sequel to
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is set to
hit theatres in October 2026. Additionally, a
theatrical adaptation of The Last Ronin is now in development, further expanding the Turtles' cinematic universe. The 2023 release of
Mutant Mayhem proved to be a major success, earning over £10m at the UK box office.
Gaming also remains a key focus, with Paramount delivering a diverse line-up for fans. To add to the Outright Games release of
Mutants Unleashed in 2024, a new PC game will launch in in the first half of 2025, followed by another console game in the second, along with updates to existing digital experiences, ensuring the Turtles stay at the forefront of interactive entertainment. The existing
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Tycoon is a Top 10 brand game on Roblox.
On the consumer products front,
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continues to dominate, holding the No.2 spot for licensed action figures in the UK. The 2024
Sidemen x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collaboration, featuring Turtles-branded apparel created with the YouTube group including KSI, was a standout moment for the franchise. Looking ahead, 2025 will see exciting new partnerships, including a global apparel and footwear collaboration launching in the first half of the year, as well as ongoing product launches tied to
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Turning to retail, back-to-school is poised to be a key moment.
Digital content is another area of growth, with over 280 new YouTube videos scheduled for release this year. This 'always on' approach to YouTube ensures the Turtles remain accessible and engaging to global audiences. For licensing enquiries, contact Elodie Rivero-Stevenet.
DORA
The CG-animated reimagining of Dora the Explorer,
Dora, has become a major success since its debut last year, captivating a new generation of fans aged 3-5 who gravitate towards the show's themes of adventure, friendship and language-learning.
Now in its second season, the show airs on Paramount+, Nick Jr. and Milkshake!. Following the launch of Season 2,
Dora secured a spot in the Top 5 pre-school shows almost immediately. To celebrate International Day of the Girl on 11th October 2024, Paramount partnered with
Plan International to
launch a global campaign, featuring Dora, to champion girls' access to education and gender equality. The multiplatform initiative included the establishment of a new Dora fund, providing grants for youth-led organisations dedicated to girls' education, the provision of Paramount funding for the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies (coupled with the opportunity for audiences to contribute), and a global 60-second public service announcement that aired across the Paramount networks celebrating the potential of every girl. To add to this, Plan International launched its own
resource hub.
2025 is set to be an exciting year for the franchise, with
Dora turning 25 years old. The new, highly anticipated consumer products range will launch in July 2025, offering fans apparel, footwear, toys, arts & crafts, puzzles, games and books. In the UK, confirmed partners include Spin Master, HarperCollins, Tonies and Aykroyds TDP. In addition, new collaborations and partnerships are in the pipeline, further cementing
Dora's cultural impact and broad appeal. Meanwhile, a live-action
Dora film,
Dora & the Search for Sol Dorado, is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ in 2025.
The back half of the year will also see the introduction of a brand-new marketing campaign across retail that will add to the 25th anniversary celebrations.
The series itself is expanding. Seasons 3 and 4 arrive from 2025, featuring new thematic elements and making it one of the largest multi-season commitments in Nickelodeon's history. Fans can also look forward to ongoing digital content, with new
Dora videos and shorts set to launch across the
Dora official
YouTube channel, Nick Jr. and
Toymation in 2025. Finally,
Dora will continue to feature in the beloved Milkshake! Live tour in 2025. For licensing enquiries, contact Elodie Rivero-Stevenet.
Spin Master
Leading global children's entertainment company Spin Master continues to create exceptional play experiences with award-winning brands across multiple toy categories.
Toys and games set to be revealed in 2025 include the latest in cutting-edge technology blended with what's trending in pop culture, delivering imaginative play experiences across interactive pets, action figures, arts & crafts, RC and more. A wide and varied cast of names from Spin Master's
Paw Patrol and
Vida the Vet to Nickelodeon's
Dora, DreamWorks Animation's
Gabby's Dollhouse, Universal Pictures'
How to Train Your Dragon and DC's
Superman promise exciting launches filled with playtime potential.
Spin Master recently
announced a new partnership with Paramount Consumer Products for
Dora, an upcoming, all-new animated Paramount+ original pre-school series joining the award- winning
Dora the Explorer franchise. Marking the return of the groundbreaking Latina heroine, Spin Master's diverse toy collection will include figures, dolls, play sets, vehicles, plush, role-play, games and puzzles, all inspired by
Dora, her companion Boots and other beloved characters and locales they explore.
In December it was also announced that Spin Master and Universal Products & Experiences have renewed an expanded toy licence agreement for the blockbuster How to Train Your Dragon franchise in advance of the new live-action film. The agreement builds on the more than 15-year relationship between the children's toy and entertainment company and the studio's products and experiences division and includes worldwide rights to the toy licence for dolls, action figures, remote control, play sets, vehicles, robotics and feature plush. Spin Master's toy line pairs with a robust content slate from Universal Products & Experiences including Universal Pictures' epic new live-action reimagining of the first How to Train Your Dragon film, which arrives in theatres 13th June 2025.
Spin Master will be at The Toy Fair 2025 (Stand UW50), which takes place 21st-23rd January 2025 at Olympia Events, London. |
www.spinmastertoys.co.uk
MIPCOM Spotlight: Paramount Global Content Distribution
The latest installment in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on offer from Paramount Global Content Distribution, picks up where the TMNT: Mutant Mayhem movie left off.
“It is true to the humor and style of the movie and will delight fans both old and new,” says Lauren Marriott, senior VP of content partnerships and brand strategy.
Hamsters of Hamsterdale follows a team of pet hamsters who believe they are the heroic protectors of their 8-year-old owner, “King” Harry, who has no idea about their secret missions.
Based on the book series by Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), Max & the Midknights follows protagonist Max and her ragtag group of friends as they embark on a quest to save the kingdom of Byjovia.
“Kids’ and family content remains a priority for Paramount Global Content Distribution, and we are looking forward to bringing these new titles to buyers at MIPCOM, as well as continuing business for our library and other key franchises,” Marriott says.
Kathy Bates stars in Matlock, inspired by the classic CBS series of the same name and part of Paramount Global Content Distribution’s drama slate. She plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases.
NCIS: Origins is part of the successful NCIS franchise, “which continues to resonate with global audiences,” says Lisa Kramer, president of international content licensing. The series follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS.
Poppa’s House sees the pairing of Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. in a comedy about a legendary talk radio host who is happily divorced.
“MIPCOM is the optimum market for us to showcase highlights across all Paramount Global studio brands to valued clients from all over the world,” Kramer notes.
In the factual realm, Paramount Global Content Distribution is offering the three-part docuseries Nƶthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ’80s Hair Metal, showcasing the notoriously wild 1980s hard rock phenomenon. “Nƶthin’ But a Good Time is perfect for international audiences, as it explores one of music’s most iconic eras with bands that were not just recognizable but hugely popular in many international markets,” Marriott says.
The Real CSI: Miami is a true-crime series that seeks out the stories that inspired the hit scripted franchise.
The one-off documentary 13 Days in Ferguson explores the riots, protests and aftermath that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri, following a police shooting of a young Black man.
“Paramount Global Content Distribution is once again coming to MIPCOM with a strong slate of new unscripted titles, ranging from documentaries to reality shows,” Marriott adds.
For formats, CBS is reviving the classic game show Hollywood Squares with Drew Barrymore in the iconic center square, and Paramount Global Content Distribution is offering the format to international buyers. “Hollywood Squares comes with a long track record of success and is perfect for prime time, with broad appeal,” says Laura Burrell, VP of international formats. “Broadcasters will have the chance to showcase their on-screen talent in a tried-and-tested formula, bringing warmth and humor to the schedule.”
The game show Flip Side pits two teams of players against each other to test how they think two groups of people feel about the same issue.
Out of Order is an original comedy game show from Comedy Central UK with “diversity and inclusion woven into the gameplay itself,” says Burrell.
“We are open for business to format buyers around the world, offering iconic IP with long-running track records alongside fresh new ideas,” she adds.
###
Paramount’s Dan Cohen at MIPCOM
Dan Cohen, the chief content licensing officer at Paramount, weighed in on new licensing models in his MIPCOM keynote conversation with World Screen’s Anna Carugati before being joined on stage by the stars of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo.
Paramount arrives in Cannes with a wealth of talent—it hosted a screening on the weekend of Morris Chestnut’s Watson; Cohen was introduced on stage by Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke, voice cast of SpongeBob SquarePants, which marks its 25th anniversary; and Weatherly and de Pablo are in town to help launch the latest expansion of the hit NCIS franchise.
“SpongeBob is one of our most important franchises, and we are doing a year-long celebration,” Cohen said. “We culminate it with a big new SpongeBob theatrical film for 2025. So, you’ll see a lot of things along the way, including what my team and I love to do, the licensing of the library.”
Carugati asked Cohen, who also serves as president of Republic Pictures, about the company’s movie distribution strategy outside of the theatrical window. “One of the things we talk a lot about with films—also with television content—is windowing. In the film world, it has evolved a lot. For many years, the windowing for theatrical films was very set and traditional. A movie was released in the theater. Six months later, it was released in home entertainment, even though it had probably left theaters four or five months earlier. You had this dead time with the films doing nothing, and audiences had to be reminded of what it was for home entertainment. And then six months later, it would come to the first television window. That was after the home-entertainment window, where 80-plus percent of your revenue would be generated in the first two months. If you look at that landscape today, all of that happens typically in three months, sometimes a little bit longer. You’re seeing windows accelerated. It used to be the first TV client and then the second wanted exclusivity. HBO output deal, completely exclusive, and you might follow with basic cable, where there’s ads introduced, but exclusive. We live in a world now of co-exclusive deals, non-exclusive deals. Films move much more quickly. One of the new innovations [is that] we might license a movie to a FAST channel for a weekend.”
On finding new ways to window content, Cohen discussed the Paramount+ branded destination deals the company has been signing since its first one with Cosmote TV in Greece, announced at MIPCOM last year. “Consumers would see ‘Paramount+,’ but it is a licensing deal; it isn’t a service our company owns and operates.” It just clinched a new one with beIN Media Group for the Middle East and Africa. “Last year, we announced the first market; we’ll now be in 80 markets.”
He continued, “It’s really a triple win. It’s great for our licensing business. It’s great for our partners, and the real winner is the consumer because Paramount+ is now in their market faster and in a better business model than if we had to wait until we felt the market justified us coming in and building and operating.”
Cohen also discussed the AVOD and FAST space, noting that Paramount partnered with Frequency Networks to build turnkey premium channels. “We now have seven channels, and we’re working with great brands like Miramax, a movie channel; National Lampoon, a comedy channel; we have two with The CW; and two with Tyler Perry and BET. We’re really pleased with the results. It’s another way for us to do business with clients. Typically, we will bundle in with that AVOD content. It’s been heavily U.S.-centric thus far, but I had more discussions about FAST and AVOD the two days I’ve been here this year than prior years.”
Cohen also highlighted the value of the Paramount Global Content Distribution library. “We have over 3,000 movies. We have over 10,000 episodes of television, and we’re constantly keeping those in circulation. They generate a lot of revenue for the company. NCIS is our biggest television franchise; it is a global juggernaut. In Germany, the new episodes are on ProSieben, but there are library episodes on Kabel Eins, 13th Street, Paramount+, Sky and Warner. ProSieben has an AVOD service with about 900 episodes. You’re constantly able to window, circulate and monetize. That franchise alone, there are 1,000 episodes. We’ve done over $4.5 billion of licensing of NCIS. That is a massive business, and that greatly helps fuel the production of new things.”
Weatherly and Cote de Pablo joined Cohen and Carugati on stage to talk about the latest spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
###
Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Paramount+ is also available with Sky Cinema at no extra cost.
