New OzKidsTV Coming in 2020

The new year is fast approaching, and with it comes an exciting slate of new release children’s content announced by ABC and NITV.

Upcoming ACTF-supported productions include live-action series Thalu, interstellar adventure show Space Nova; Are You Tougher than Your Ancestors?; Kangaroo Beach and a second series of Little J and Big Cuz.

More programs joining the 2020 TV line-up include a second series of kids’ juggernaut Bluey, fast-paced action-thriller Itch and series 3 of popular sporting drama, Mustangs FC. Play School; BtN; Giggle and Hoot; Good Game Spawn Point and a second series of Teenage Boss will also return to the ABC next year.

Subscribe to the ACTF’s fortnightly eNews for premiere dates, screening times and more OzKidsTV announcements in 2020.

Recently announced series include:

Thalu (NITV)

Set against the backdrop of the majestic Pilbara, Thalu is a kid’s show with all the energy of live-action and all the colour of a cartoon. The series focuses on a group of Aboriginal kids, who undertake a journey to save their Country from the threat of a mysterious dust cloud and its inhabitants, the Takers. Fusing elements of traditional Aboriginal stories and characters with a touch of the hero’s journey and lots of energetic physical and visual comedy, Thalu is funny, exciting, relatable, and offers young viewers an eye-opening glimpse at people and places they could never have imagined.

Thalu is a Weerianna Street Media production for NITV and ABC Children’s, with investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund. Financed with support from NITV, the ABC and the ACTF.

Space Nova (ABC ME)

It’s 2162 and life is a blast for space adventurer siblings, Jet and Adelaide Nova. After all, what tween wouldn’t want to divide their days between living on an international space station and accompanying their parents on awesome interstellar missions! Of course, it’s not all asteroid chases and exploding star systems. Jet and Adelaide also have to attend school, do homework (though their chores aren’t always so typical, like recharging the family robot and scrubbing their starship’s hull!). Still, on weekends this Aussie astronaut family have their own unique way of unwinding, with Jet and Adelaide heading off with parents Hugo and Josie on mind blowing adventures to navigate unexplored planets, surf solar flares, hop between rogue stars and occasionally even discover previously unknown life forms.

Space Nova is a SLR Production for Super RTL, the NINE Network and ABC ME. The series is financed with the support of Screen Australia in association with Giggle Garage, Create NSW and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. ZDF Enterprises will distribute the series worldwide (excluding ANZ). The ACTF will distribute the series in Australia and New Zealand.

Little J & Big Cuz – Series 2 (NITV)

Logie Award-winning Indigenous animation series, Little J & Big Cuz returns to NITV in 2020. Little J and his Big Cuz are a couple of Indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna and Old Dog. All their friends are nearby, and school is just a stroll away along a bush track. This season, they’re finding out more about their world and themselves - in the backyard, the classroom, or on Country. 

Little J & Big Cuz Season 2 is a Ned Lander Media, Media World, and Blue Rocket production for NITV and ABC Children’s, with investment from NITV in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, ACER and the ACTF.

Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? (ABC ME)

Fun and fast paced, this series asks contemporary kids to leave their modern comforts behind and spend twenty-four hours in the life of a child from another era. As kids dive into worlds they have never experienced before, they learn as much about themselves as they do about history… and maybe even unearth new talents they never thought they had!

Drawing from Australia’s rich Indigenous and multicultural heritage, the series celebrates the diversity of our shared history. At the end of each episode we find out whether the kids were up to the task… and what they discover might just surprise us all!

Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? is a Flying Kite and Sticky Pictures production for the ABC, with investment from the ABC, in association with the South Australian Film Corporation and the Documentary Australia Foundation. The ACTF distributes Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? internationally.

Kangaroo Beach (ABC ME)

Welcome to Kangaroo Beach, a sun-soaked paradise by the sea! Every dazzling day on Kangaroo Beach is an action-packed adventure for wannabe-hero joey Pounce, creative koala Frizzy, sports-phobic wombat Neville and mini-marine biologist and platypus Gemma.

Whether training as young lifeguards, learning new water skills or exploring the wonders of the beach, the four furry friends are having the time of their lives.

The series will appeal to young audiences and families all over the world by exploring the familiar world of water play – on the beach, in the sea, in swimming pools, rivers and rock pools, while empowering viewers with an imperative message about water safety in every story.

Kangaroo Beach is a Cheeky Little Media production for the ABC, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Uyoung Media. Sonar Entertainment distributes Kangaroo Beach internationally.

Bluey – Series 2 (ABC KIDS)

Bluey is an inexhaustible six-year old blue heeler dog, who loves to play and turn everyday family life into extraordinary adventures.

Bluey Series 2 is a Ludo Studio production for ABC KIDS, with investment from BBC studios in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen Queensland and the Australian Government.

Itch (ABC ME)

Children all over the world are concerned about climate change. What if we put the solution into their hands? Itch is a fast-paced action thriller, that does just that.

In this adaptation of Simon Mayo’s novel of the same name, a smart but flawed hero, Itchingham Lofte finds a new element on the periodic table which could be the world’s solution to our energy problems. In the midst of all, the conspiracy and scientific discoveries is a very human story about the strains of growing up, regional family life, fitting in and thinking through one of the world’s biggest ethical dilemmas.

Itch is a Komixx Entertainment and Feisty Dame Production for the ABC, with investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen West and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund. ABC Commercial distributes Itch internationally.

Mustangs FC – Series 3 (ABC ME)

Season three sees The Mustangs forced to woman-up in a harsh new league in which they’re forced to merge with their nemesis, The Wildcats.

Mustangs FC is produced by Matchbox Pictures for the ABC in association with Film Victoria and National Indigenous Television. NBCU International distributes Mustangs FC worldwide.