Nelvana is heading to MIPCOM 2024 with the launch of their new animated series, “Millie Magnificent,” and the upcoming “Pinata Smashlings,” a show inspired by the popular Roblox game. Ahead of this year's market, Mellany Welsh, VP and Head of Nelvana and Kids Can Press, shared with Señal News the company’s progress, revealing how the tales of perseverance and creativity in “Millie Magnificent” have already garnered positive responses from buyers. With a strategic focus on expanding into new distribution platforms and a robust content slate, Nelvana continues to set the stage for innovation in children’s programming.
Nelvana’s latest animated series, “Millie Magnificent,” is based on “The Most Magnificent Thing,” a popular book by Ashley Spires, published by Nelvana's own Kids Can Press. The story follows Millie and her friends, known as the “Creato Crew,” as they tackle kid-friendly projects, teaching values of resilience and perseverance—qualities that resonate strongly with today’s audience. "We've received tremendously positive feedback for ‘Millie Magnificent’ so far," said Welsh, highlighting the success of the series among broadcasters and buyers. She added: “Buyers are really enjoying how the series focuses on resilience and perseverance, especially coming out of the pandemic… Buyers love the production quality, from the golden-hour lighting moments to the intricate details of Millie’s dog, Wallace, whose fur we worked hard to get just right.”
Welsh elaborated on Nelvana’s flexible approach to distribution, balancing content creation with market demand: “We are in constant communication with our partners, addressing their needs, whether it’s preschool content, 2D, or 3D animation.” Nelvana’s strategy often combines creating tailored content for specific buyers while also developing strong projects that later find their ideal broadcast home.
As the market continues to evolve, Nelvana remains agile, tapping into emerging formats like FAST channels. "We're finding that broadcasters are increasingly looking to amplify their linear strategy with new VOD and FAST services. And also other content producers and distributors are even launching FAST services themselves or looking to integrate a FAST channel component within to their existing SVOD service. We want to make sure that we're ready to tap into these new platforms with new partners and also work with our partners as they're expanding their strategy. It's a big priority for us because we have such an impressive catalog of over 5,000 half hours of content," she emphasized.
EXPANDING HORIZONS: NEW PROJECTS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND
Looking ahead, Nelvana has exciting projects in the pipeline, including a 2D animated series called “Pinata Smashlings,” inspired by the hit Roblox game. The series, which started production this fall, is aimed at children aged six to nine and promises fast-paced, comedic adventures. “We greenlit ‘Pinata Smashlings’ earlier this year, and animation began this fall,” Welsh revealed. The show is being produced in collaboration with Toikido, a rising name in the entertainment space.
With its humorous and energetic tone, “Pinata Smashlings” is expected to appeal to both buyers and young viewers. “We think that viewers are going to love this over-the-top, Roblox shenanigan-based series,” the executive stated.
Nelvana is making waves with its content lineup, while expanding its distribution strategies to reach new markets and platforms. With a strong focus on storytelling and high-quality animation, Nelvana continues to be a driving force in children's entertainment, leaving its mark on both traditional and digital media landscapes. As Mellany Welsh aptly summarized, “We’re excited to continue bringing these stories to life and look forward to sharing them with the world.”