# Mattel Television

Mattel Television 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.
It took on its current name with the hiring of former Disney Branded Television programming executive, Adam Bonnett, on February 5, 2019 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.

## Background

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. 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.

## History

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. 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.
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.
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.
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. A week later, Mattel Television announced a proposition of twenty-two animated and live-action television programs. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
On February 16, 2023, Mattel published through Google Drive its content slate portfolio for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 fiscal years, including a revival of Fireman Sam and a makeover revival of Barney. On March 7, 2023, NBC green-lighted a car makeover competition featuring Hot Wheels called Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.
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. On November 16, 2023, Michelle Mendelovitz was hired to head the division.
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.
On October 21, 2024, Mattel Television Studios announced that it would co-develop another television series in the Pingu franchise with Aardman Animations.

## Filmography

As Mattel Creations :
| Title | Release date(s) | Type | Co-producer | Distributor(s) | Notes |
| Thomas & Friends: The Great Race | May 21, 2016 (UK; theatrical)September 2016 (DVD)Early 2017 (TV) | Animated film | Arc Productions | National Amusements (UK; theatrical)Multiple (TV) | |
| Barbie: Star Light Adventure | July 30, 2016 (Fathom Events)August 29, 2016 (Home video release) | Animated film | Arc Productions | Fathom Events (U.S.; limited theatrical release)Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release) | Final production of Arc Productions before payroll glitch-turned-bankruptcy and re-opening as Jam Filled Entertainment's Toronto division/branch |
| Barbie Dreamtopia | January 10, 2016 – April 1, 2018 (original)July 21 – October 21, 2021 (as a Barbie Return to Dreamtopia segment of Barbie's Dreamworld) | Animated web serials | Snowball Studios (original)Relish Studios (Barbie Return to Dreamtopia) | YouTube Kids (YouTube)Cartoon Network (Latin America)Super RTL (Germany)Pop (UK and Ireland)MiniMini+ (Poland)TET (Ukraine)Carousel (Russia) | 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 | Cartoon Network (Latin America)Nickelodeon (United States; worldwide) Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (home video formats) | 61 minutes |
| WellieWishers | September 8, 2016 | Animated series | Submarine Studios | Amazon Prime Video (U.S.)Tiny Pop (UK) | 2 seasons, 26 episodes; American Girl doll franchise |
| Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase | October 18, 2016 | Animated film | Rainmaker Entertainment | Nickelodeon (U.S. broadcast)Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release; international) | 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 | Animated film | Rainmaker Entertainment | Nickelodeon (U.S. broadcast)Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release; international) | 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 | Animated film | Flaunt Studios | Cartoon Network (Latin America)Nickelodeon (United States; worldwide) Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video formats) | 64 minutes |
| The Toy Box | April 7, 2017 – November 19, 2017 | Reality series | Hudsun MediaElectus | ABC (U.S. broadcast)Electus International | 2 seasons |
| 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: YTV (Canada)Pop (UK and Ireland) Streaming: Netflix (U.S., International) | Only Netflix-exclusive Barbie film to be released on home video (DVD and Digital HD) and video on demand by Universal. |
| Thomas & Friends | September 18, 2017 – January 20, 2021 | Animated series | Jam Filled Entertainment | Channel 5Netflix (season 24) | Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and HIT Entertainment |
| Pingu in the City | October 7, 2017 – March 30, 2019 | Animated series | Sony Creative ProductsPolygon Pictures | NHK Educational TV | 2 seasons |
| Minecraft Mini Series | October 26, 2017 – May 10, 2018 | Animated series | Mojang StudiosMicrosoft StudiosAtomic Cartoons | YouTube | 2 seasons |
| Fireman Sam | November 18, 2017 – present | Animated series | Island of Misfits (series 11–12)WildBrain Studios (series 12–present) | Cartoonito UK & IrelandChannel 5 | 3 seasons, 10 previous seasonsDistributed by WildBrain |
| Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures | May 3, 2018 – April 12, 2020 | Animated streaming television series | Mainframe Studios | Netflix (U.S., International) Television: YTV (Canada)9Go! (Australia)Canal Panda (Portugal) | 5 seasons, 52 episodes |
| Polly Pocket | July 8, 2018 – present | Animated series | WildBrain Studios | Family Channel (season 1)Universal Kids (seasons 1 and 2)Netflix (season 2 – present) | |
| As Mattel Television ||||||
| Barbie: Princess Adventure | September 1, 2020 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Netflix | |
| Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday | April 16, 2021 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Netflix | 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 | Netflix | 2-part animated series |
| Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams | August 20, 2021 (UK)September 1, 2021 (U.S., International) | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Netflix | 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 | Cartoon Network (U.S.)Treehouse TV (Canada) | Reboot of Thomas & Friends |
| He-Man and the Masters of the Universe | September 16, 2021 – August 18, 2022 | Animated streaming television series | House of CoolCGCG, Inc. | Netflix | Re-imagining of the eponymous original 1983 TV series produced by Filmation. |
| Barbie: It Takes Two | March 4, 2022 (Television debut; Australia via 9Go!)April 8, 2022 – 2023 (American Netflix debut) | Animated streaming television series | Mainframe Studios | Television: 9Go! (Australia)Pop (UK and Ireland)YTV (Canada)Canal Panda (Portugal) Streaming: Netflix (U.S., International) | Unveiled on 1 February 2022, via the Mattel website. 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 and in Portugal on 17 April. 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. 2 seasons. |
| Barbie: Mermaid Power | September 1, 2022 | Animated streaming television film | Mainframe Studios | Netflix (U.S., International)9Go! (Australia)YTV (Canada) | 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 | Fox First RunBill's Market and Television ProductionCBS Media Ventures | Syndication | |
| Monster High: The Movie | October 6, 2022 | Live-action musical film | Brightlight PicturesNickelodeon Productions | Nickelodeon (U.S., television)Paramount+ (streaming) | Both were announced on 23 February 2021. |
| Monster High | October 6, 2022 – October 24, 2024 | Animated television series | Nickelodeon Animation Studio | Nickelodeon | Both were announced on 23 February 2021. |
| Barbie: Epic Road Trip | October 25, 2022 | Animated streaming interactive special | Mainframe Studios | Netflix (U.S., International) | 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 | Netflix (U.S., International)9Go! (Australia)YTV (Canada) | Inaugural film to star Skipper Roberts in a lead role with more screen time than previous Barbie-branded productions. |
| Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge | May 30, 2023 – August 8, 2023 | Reality series | Endemol Shine North AmericaWorkerbee TV | NBC | |
| Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge | July 17, 2023 – September 2023 | Reality series | Mission Control Media | 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. |
| Barbie: A Touch of Magic | September 14, 2023 – present | Animated streaming television series | Mainframe Studios | Streaming: Netflix (US, international) Television: 9Now (Australia)Pop (UK and Ireland) | |
| Monster High 2 | October 5, 2023 | Live-action musical film | Brightlight PicturesNickelodeon Productions | Nickelodeon (U.S., television)Paramount+ (streaming) | Announced on 25 October 2022 alongside the debut of Barbie: Epic Road Trip. Production began on 7 February 2023 with moments and scenes shared on social media. |
| 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 | March 4, 2024 – March 3, 2025 | Animated streaming television series | Sprite Animation Studios OLM, Digital | Netflix | |
| Scrabble | October 3, 2024 – present | Game show | Hasbro Entertainment Lionsgate Alternative Television | The CW | First television series co-produced by Hasbro and Mattel. |
| Barney's World | October 14, 2024 – present | Animated television series | Nelvana | Treehouse TV (Canada, television)StackTV (streaming) Cartoonito (U.S., television)Max (streaming) | |

### Mattel Studios/Mattel Entertainment

| Title | Original run | Format | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
| Little People | 1999–2007 | TV series | Direct-to-video | Egmont Imagination (volumes 1–13)Cuppa Coffee Studios (volumes 14–27) | |
| Barbie | 2001–2014 | Film series | Direct-to-videoNickelodeon (U.S.) | Mainframe Entertainment/Rainmaker Animation/Rainmaker Entertainment (24 entries)Technicolor (2 entries)Arc Productions (1 entry) | 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 | 2003 | Film | Direct-to-video | Nelvana | |
| Fisher-Price Baby Development series | 2003 | Miniseries | Direct-to-video | Benjamin Productions | |
| Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse | 2004 | Short film | Direct-to-video | Mike Young Productions | |
| My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica | 2004 | Film | Direct-to-video | Curious Pictures | |
| My Scene: Masquerade Madness | 2004 | Film | Direct-to-video | Curious Pictures | |
| Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza | 2005 | Short film | Direct-to-video | Curious Pictures | |
| Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers | 2005 | Television special series | Cartoon NetworkDirect-to-video | Mainframe Entertainment | |
| My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie | 2005 | Film | Direct-to-video | Curious PicturesMiramax Family | |
| PollyWorld | 2006 | Film | Nickelodeon | Curious Pictures | |
| The Barbie Diaries | 2006 | Animated motion-capture film | Direct-to-videoNickelodeon | Curious Pictures | 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 | TV series | Direct-to-video | | |
| Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse | 10 January 2012 – 27 November 2015 | Web shorts | YouTubeNetflix | Arc Productions | |
| Max Steel | 2013–2015 | TV series | Disney XDNetflix | Nerd Corps EntertainmentFremantleMedia Kids & Family | |

### HIT Entertainment

| Title | Original run | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
| Thomas & Friends | 1984–2021 | Children's ITV (series 1–3)Cartoon Network (series 4–5)Nick Jr. (series 6–11)PBS Kids (series 6 – 20)Channel 5 (series 12–24) | Clearwater Features (series 1–2)Nitrogen Studios (series 12–16)Arc Productions (series 17–19)Jam Filled Toronto (series 20–24) | Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and finished by Mattel Creations/Television |
| Fireman Sam | 1987–19942005–present | S4CBBC 1 (series 1–4)CBeebies (series 5)Cartoonito (series 6 – present)Channel 5 (series 8 – present) | Bumper Films (1987–1994)Siriol Productions (2003–2008)HRTv (2008–2010)Xing Xing Management Group (2008–2017)Island of Misfits (2017–2020)WildBrain Studios (2020–present) | Brand acquired by Gullane Entertainment in 2001 and in turn acquired by HIT Entertainment |
| Usavich | 1988–2024 | BBC 1 (Season 1-15)Channel 5 (Season 3-15)Nickelodeon (Season 3-15) | Thames Television (Season 1-6)Kanaban Graphics (Season 6-15) | Continued from Company HIT Entertainment |
| Pingu | 1990–20002003–2006 | SF DRS/CBBC (original)CBeebies (revival) | The Pygos GroupTrickfilmsStudio | |
| Captain Zed and the Zee Zone | 1991 | Children's ITV | Tony Collingwood Productions LimitedDIC EnterprisesScottish Television Enterprises | |
| Where's Wally? | 1991 | CBS (U.S.)Children's ITV (U.K.) | The Waldo Film CompanyDIC Enterprises | |
| Barney & Friends | 1992–2010 | PBS Kids | | Continued from The Lyons Group/Lyrick Studios |
| The Wind in the Willows | 1995 | ITVThe Family Channel | 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 | Cosgrove Hall Films (series 1)HOT Animation (series 2) | |
| The Willows in Winter | 1996 | ITVThe Family Channel | TVC London | Television film |
| The Phoenix and the Carpet | 1997 | BBC | | |
| Animal Ark | 1997–1998 | ITV | HTVZenith NorthHarvest Entertainment | |
| Kipper | 1997–2000 | ITV | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| Big Sister, Little Brother | 1997 | SVTFox Family Channel | Wegelius TVTMO Film GmbH | |
| The Three Friends and Jerry | 1998–1999 | SVTNickelodeon | Happy LifeTMO-Loonland | |
| Anthony Ant | 1999 | HBO FamilyYTV | Funbag Animation Studios | |
| Bob the Builder | 1999–2011 | CBBC (series 1–4)CBeebies | HOT AnimationSD Entertainment (series 17–18) | |
| Fly Tales | 1999 | France 3WDRTélétoon+Teletoon | FuturikonMotion International | |
| Ted Sieger's Wildlife | 1999 | ZDF | Hahn Film | |
| Faeries | 1999 | ITVStarz! | Cartwn CymruUnited Productions | |
| 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 | Dynomight CartoonsBig Al Productions | |
| Oswald | 2001–2003 | Nickelodeon | Nickelodeon Animation Studio | |
| Angelina Ballerina | 2001–2006 | ITV | Grand Slamm Children's Films | |
| Rubbadubbers | 2003–2005 | BBC TwoCBeebies | 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 | Treehouse TV (Canada)CBeebies (UK) | Nelvana | |
| Bob the Builder | 2015–2018 | Channel 5 | Mainframe Studios (series 1–2)DHX Studios Halifax (series 3) | Finished by Mattel Creations |

#### Lyrick Studios (1997-2001/02)

| 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 | Direct-to-video | | Special |
| Wishbone's Dog Days of the West | 1998 | PBS Kids | Big Feats! Entertainment | Special |

#### Gullane Entertainment (1989-2002)

| Title | Original run | Network | Co-production with |
| Shining Time Station | 1989–1993; 1995 | PBSYTV | Catalyst Entertainment (seasons 2–3) |
| Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales | 1996 | PBS | |
| It's a Mystery | 1996–2002 | ITV (CITV) | The Media Merchants Television Company Ltd.Meridian Broadcasting Ltd. |
| Captain Pugwash | 1974-1975 | BBC 1 | BBC Television |
| The Adventures of Captain Pugwash | 1998 | CITV (ITV) | John Cary Films |