Kartoon Channel To Rollout Brand New Series, Chikn Nuggit

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Through its Frederator Network subsidiary, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNUS until June 26th after which the company rebrands to Kartoon Studios and trades on the NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) and BuzzFeed (NASDAQ: BZFD) to develop the latest animated series, Chikn Nuggit, as part of the companies’ exclusive first-look content deal announced earlier this year.

Frederator Network and BuzzFeed’s Animation Lab will develop a premium content series for digital hit Chikn Nuggit based on the original shorts created by Kyra Kupetsky. With over 1 billion views to date on social platforms, Chikn Nuggit is a gender-inclusive, online animated comedy series about a weird, long-eared dog named Chikn Nuggit and his fast-food-named friends. The shorts have attained the a doration of millions of fans worldwide for their sweet and surreal adventures and comedic, adorable antics. Chikn Nuggit premiered in October 2020 on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram and has since amassed over 300 short-form videos and over 8 million followers.

Frederator Director of Development Isabel Schultz will head global content sales. In addition, Genius Brands’ consumer products’ division will develop the Chikn Nuggit retail program and a full IP slate in close partnership with BuzzFeed Animation Lab.

Michael Hirsh, CEO of WOW! Unlimited Media, the parent company of Frederator Network, stated: “We are pleased further to expand our roster of original animated series with BuzzFeed, giving the global fans of wildly popular IP, such as Chikn Nuggit, more of what they love.”

Zee Myers, Head of BuzzFeed Animation Lab, commented: “Millions of fans have let us know that they need the Chikn Nuggit animated series! We can’t wait to continue expanding our content universe for our global community in partnership with Frederator, a pioneer in animation and television.”

New Series Alert: Kartoon Channel! Announces Premiere Of Shaquille O’Neal's ‘Shaq’s Garage’

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The animated action-adventure comedy follows the Shaq PA, a family of vehicles inspired by the NBA Champion’s love of cars, as they go on missions to help the community; Pluto TV debut coming June 5.

Genius Brands International has announced Kartoon Channel!’s premiere of the new kids’ animated action-adventure comedy series, Shaq’s Garage, starring and executive produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Genius Brands will debut all 26 episodes exclusively June 5 on Kartoon Channel! on Pluto TV.   

Shaq’s Garage stars O’Neal, four-time NBA champion, rap impresario, and global icon, as both himself and one of the show’s main vehicle characters, Biggie D. According to Genius Brands, the series, inspired by O’Neal’s real-life love of cars, features his “family” of cars, known as the Shaq PA, as they go on various missions to help others and do good in their hometown community of Ollanta and beyond! The Shaq PA is a funny and diverse cast of 10 different characters, including the Grenoble, voiced by NFL Superbowl champion Rob Gronkowski.  

A variety of companion content, influencer collaborations and a comprehensive social marketing campaign across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok will support the premiere. Additionally, Genius Brands will develop a full-scale consumer products retail program for the show.

O’Neal stated, “I am thrilled that our hard work over the past couple of years is finally coming to fruition with our new series. I am extremely proud of what we have created, and I am looking forward to inspiring kids all over the world with Shaq’s Garage.”

“We are thrilled that Kartoon Channel! is partnering with Pluto TV to premiere the first season of Shaq’s Garage, which embodies the value-driven content we seek to create at Genius Brands,” stated Todd Steinman, President of Genius Networks. “I’m delighted that Shaq’s vision for the series has been realized. The show offers action, adventure, and comedy through positive messaging and quality role models. We are excited to offer this unique series to both kids and their families around the country.”