BBC
Worldwide holds the global distribution rights including programme distribution,
DVD and merchandising for the show, produced by Little Airplane Productions. The
series has been created in photo-puppetry animation a style of animation
created by Little Airplane and is targeted at three to five year old children.
BBC
Worldwide senior licensing manager for toys Julie Kekwick says, "3rd and
Bird! is proving extremely popular on CBeebies at the moment which is a great
platform to gauge interest in the property. With a raft of new licensees signed
up to develop the brand further into toys and other apparel, we're confident 3rd
& Bird! is going to shake a few feathers in the pre-school licensing arena."
DanJam's
3rd and Bird! range will include wooden stacking toys, pull along vehicles,
play sets and musical instruments.
MV
Sports will develop a range of 3rd & Bird! inspired wheeled toys, including
trikes, scooters, and ride-ons.
DanJam
Toys director Warren Traeger says, "Following the success of the wooden In
the Night Garden range in 2008, we are thrilled to be partnering with BBC
Worldwide again on 3rd & Bird! It's such a fun and vibrant brand that
it lends itself perfectly to the development of wooden toys. With a planned retail
launch of Spring 2010, we look forward to presenting the initial range to customers
later in 2009."
MV
Sports sales and marketing director Phil Ratcliffe says, "For MV, 3rd
& Bird! ticks all the right boxes in terms of television platform, licensing
potential and intrinsic appeal. Our product range will reflect the charm, humour
and musical attributes of this great new pre-school show."
Fisher-Price's
product line will debut in spring/summer 2010 in the UK. Under the multi-year
master toy licence, Fisher-Price has global rights (excluding Asia) to develop
pre-school, infant and toddler toys including electronic and non-electronic plastic
figurines, toys, vehicles, play sets and feature and standard plush.
BBC
Children's DVD will release the first DVD of the series on 30 March, containing
eight episodes under the title 3rd & Bird: Bird's the Word.
BBC
Children's Books and BBC Audiobooks will launch their publishing ranges to time
with the first line of toys in 2010. The ranges will include audiobook, storybooks,
novelty and sound books.