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

Former logo as Mattel Creations used from 2016 to 2019.

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	Template:Ubl	Animated film	Arc Productions	Template:Ubl
Barbie: Star Light Adventure	Template:Ubl	Animated film		Template:Ubl	Final production of Arc Productions before payroll glitch-turned-bankruptcy and re-opening as Jam Filled Entertainment's Toronto division/branch
Barbie Dreamtopia	Template:Ubl	Animated web serials	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	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	Template:Dts	Animated film	DHX Media Vancouver	Template:Ubl Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (home video formats)	61 minutes
WellieWishers	Template:Dts	Animated series	Submarine Studios	Template:Ubl	2 seasons, 26 episodes; American Girl doll franchise
Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase	Template:Dts	Animated film	Rainmaker Entertainment	Template:Ubl	Pre-production done by Arc Productions prior to its closure. The film was brought over to Rainmaker Entertainment for completion.
Barbie: Video Game Hero	Template:Dts				Last Barbie film to be shown on either Nickelodeon or other/another children's television network(s) in the United States
Monster High: Electrified	Template:Dts		Flaunt Studios	Template:Ubl Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video formats)	64 minutes
The Toy Box	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Reality series	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	2 seasons
Monster High: Adventures of the Ghoul Squad	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Animated web series		YouTube	12 11-minute episodes
Barbie Dolphin Magic	Template:Dts	Animated film	Rainmaker Entertainment	Television: Template:Ubl 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	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Animated series	Jam Filled Entertainment	Template:Ubl	Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and HIT Entertainment
Pingu in the City	Template:Dts – Template:Dts		Template:Ubl	NHK Educational TV	2 seasons
Minecraft Mini Series	Template:Dts – Template:Dts		Template:Ubl	YouTube
Fireman Sam	Template:Dts – present		Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
Barbie Dreamhouse AdventuresTemplate:Efn	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Animated streaming television series	Mainframe Studios	Netflix (U.S., International) Television: Template:Ubl	5 seasons, 52 episodes
Polly Pocket	Template:Dts – present	Animated series	WildBrain Studios	Template:Ubl
As Mattel Television
Barbie: Princess Adventure	Template:Dts	Animated streaming television film	Mainframe Studios	Netflix
Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday	Template:Dts				Inaugural film to star Chelsea Roberts in a lead role since Barbie: Dreamtopia
Masters of the Universe: Revelation	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Animated streaming television series	Powerhouse Animation Studios		2-part animated series
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams	Template:Ubl	Animated streaming television film	Mainframe Studios		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	Template:Dts – present	Animated television series	Nelvana	Template:Ubl	Reboot of Thomas & Friends
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	Animated streaming television series	Template:Ubl	Netflix	Re-imagining of the eponymous original 1983 TV series produced by Filmation.
Barbie: It Takes Two	Template:Ubl		Mainframe Studios	Television: Template:Ubl 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	Template:Dts – Template:Dts	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	Template:Dts	Animated streaming television film	Mainframe Studios	Template:Ubl	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	Template:Dts – present	Game show	Template:Ubl	Syndication
Monster High: The Movie	Template:Dts	Live-action musical film	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Both were announced on 23 February 2021.
Monster High	Template:Dts – present	Animated television series	Nickelodeon Animation Studio	Nickelodeon
Barbie: Epic Road Trip	Template:Dts	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	Template:Dts	Animated streaming television film	Mainframe Studios	Template:Ubl	Inaugural film to star Skipper Roberts in a lead role with more screen time than previous Barbie-branded productions.
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge	Template:Dts – August 8, 2023	Reality series	Template:Ubl	NBC
Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge	Template:Dts – September 2023		Template:Ubl	HGTV
Polly Pocket: Sparkle Cove Adventure	Template:Dts	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	Template:Dts – present	Animated streaming television series	Mainframe Studios	Streaming: Netflix (US, international) Television: Template:Ubl
Monster High 2	Template:Dts	Live-action musical film	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	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	Template:Dts – present	Animated streaming television series	Powerhouse Animation Studios	Netflix	Sequel to Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
Hot Wheels Let's Race	March 4, 2024 – present		Sprite Animation Studios OLM, Digital
Scrabble	Template:Dts – 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	Template:Ubl

Mattel Studios/Mattel Entertainment

Title	Original run	Format	Network	Co-production with	Notes
Little People	1999–2007	TV series	Direct-to-video	Template:Ubl
Barbie	2001–2014	Film series	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	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		Film	Direct-to-video	Nelvana
Fisher-Price Baby Development series		Miniseries	Direct-to-video	Benjamin Productions
Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse	2004	Short film		Mike Young Productions
My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica		Film		Curious Pictures
My Scene: Masquerade Madness
Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza	2005	Short film	Direct-to-video
Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers		Television special series	Template:Ubl	Mainframe Entertainment
My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie		Film	Direct-to-video	Template:Ubl
PollyWorld	2006	Film	Nickelodeon	Curious Pictures
The Barbie Diaries		Animated motion-capture film	Template:Ubl		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
Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse	10 January 2012 – 27 November 2015	Web shorts	Template:Ubl	Arc Productions
Max Steel	2013–2015	TV series	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl

HIT Entertainment

Title	Original run	Network	Co-production with	Notes
Thomas & Friends	1984–2021	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Continued from The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment and finished by Mattel Creations/Television
Fireman Sam	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Brand acquired by Gullane Entertainment in 2001 and in turn acquired by HIT Entertainment
Pingu	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
Captain Zed and the Zee Zone	1991	Children's ITV	Template:Ubl
Where's Wally?	1991	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
Barney & Friends	1992–2010	PBS Kids		Continued from The Lyons Group/Lyrick Studios
The Wind in the Willows	1995	Template:Ubl	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	Template:Ubl
The Willows in Winter	1996	Template:Ubl	TVC London	Television film
The Phoenix and the Carpet	1997	BBC
Animal Ark	1997–1998	ITV	Template:Ubl
Kipper	1997–2000	ITV	Grand Slamm Children's Films
Big Sister, Little Brother	1997	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
The Three Friends and Jerry	1998–1999	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
Anthony Ant	1999	Template:Ubl	Funbag Animation Studios
Bob the Builder	1999–2011	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl Template:Small
Fly Tales	1999	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
Ted Sieger's Wildlife	1999	ZDF	Hahn Film
Faeries	1999	Template:Ubl	Template:Ubl
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	Template:Ubl
Oswald	2001–2003	Nickelodeon	Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Angelina Ballerina	2001–2006	ITV	Grand Slamm Children's Films
Rubbadubbers	2003–2005	Template:Ubl	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	Template:Ubl	Nelvana
Bob the Builder	2015–2018	Channel 5	Template:Ubl	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
Wishbone's Dog Days of the West	1998	PBS Kids	Big Feats! Entertainment

Gullane Entertainment (1989-2002)

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