WildBrain London

WildBrain London is the London-based children's digital media division of Canadian entertainment company WildBrain. Operating through WildBrain Family International Limited, the business distributes children's and preschool programming across YouTube and other digital services, while also producing original animated and live-action shorts. Its catalogue combines properties owned by WildBrain, programmes controlled by partner companies, and third-party brands for which the division manages digital channels and audience development. The business officially launched in 2016. Its creation built on digital distribution capabilities and trademarks associated with WildBrain Entertainment, the animation and media company acquired by DHX Media. The division initially operated under the WildBrain name and subsequently became known as WildBrain Spark. The Spark identity emphasized its role as a multi-channel network, or MCN, serving children’s entertainment brands on YouTube and related platforms rather than functioning solely as a conventional television production unit. WildBrain London's activities span channel management, content distribution, audience engagement, short-form production, localization, programming strategy, and digital brand development. It has handled the YouTube presence of numerous properties and partner brands, including Beyblade Burst, Bing, Grizzy & the Lemmings, Larva, Moomins, Mr. Bean Animated, Playmobil, The Smurfs, Teletubbies, and other children's franchises. Its channel portfolio has also included extensive libraries of animated and live-action series such as Caillou, Fireman Sam, Inspector Gadget, Peppa Pig, Strawberry Shortcake, The Deep, Johnny Test, My Little Pony, Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Talking Tom & Friends, and Woody Woodpecker. Availability and rights vary by programme, territory, platform, and licensing arrangement. The division's original and co-produced output has included branded short-form projects and digital series such as Akedo: Ultimate Arcade Warriors, BFF Bright Fairy Friends, Boy & Dragon, Brum & Friends, Caillou: New Adventures, Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets, Hairdorables, Polly Pocket, Popeye's Island Adventures, Tiddlytubbies, and Teletubbies: Let's Go! Some productions were made with external rights holders or production partners, including Moose Toys, Cosmos-Maya, the Emoji Company, Alopra, Copenhagen Bombay, Epic Story Media, and Park Star Media. This production model allowed WildBrain to extend established toy, publishing, television, and character brands into frequent, platform-oriented video formats. In September 2019, parent company DHX Media announced its corporate rebrand as WildBrain, increasing the visibility of the WildBrain identity across the group. The London MCN was then identified as WildBrain Spark. In November 2023, WildBrain announced that WildBrain Spark would merge with the parent company's London YouTube network business alongside Digital Studios and Media Solutions. The integration was completed in January 2024, when Kate Smith was appointed Executive Vice-President for Audience Engagement. The resulting structure places the London operation within WildBrain's broader audience, digital distribution, and content-services activities.

WildBrain London was established in 2016 as a digital children's media operation associated with DHX Media. The business developed from the group's digital distribution and channel-management capabilities and reused trademarks connected with Wildbrain Entertainment, an animation studio that DHX had acquired. Its principal role was to bring children's programming to YouTube and other online platforms, combining rights exploitation, channel programming, audience development, and original short-form production. The division operated as a multi-channel network. Rather than relying only on a small number of wholly owned productions, it assembled a broad portfolio of WildBrain-controlled properties and partner brands. The portfolio included preschool series, animated comedies, toy-linked franchises, educational programmes, and family entertainment. WildBrain London also managed digital presences for external companies and brands, including Hasbro, NBCUniversal, Outfit7, Playmobil, Spin Master, Warner Bros. Discovery, and properties such as Beyblade Burst, Bing, Grizzy & the Lemmings, Larva, Moomins, Mr. Bean Animated, and The Smurfs. Production became an important complement to distribution. The division created or participated in projects designed for online viewing, frequently using short episodes, recurring characters, music, comedy, and toy or licensing connections. Examples include Brum & Friends, Caillou: New Adventures, Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets, Hairdorables, Polly Pocket, Tiddlytubbies, and Teletubbies: Let's Go! It also worked with outside producers and rights holders on projects including Akedo: Ultimate Arcade Warriors with Moose Toys, Eena Meena Deeka with Cosmos-Maya, and other co-productions identified in its programme catalogue. The parent company's 2019 transformation from DHX Media to WildBrain led the London MCN to adopt the WildBrain Spark name. The change aligned the digital business with the wider WildBrain corporate brand and highlighted its focus on digital audiences and platform-native content. The operation continued to distribute a large catalogue on YouTube, including both newer series and library programmes such as Caillou, Fireman Sam, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Strawberry Shortcake, Teletubbies, and Woody Woodpecker. In November 2023, WildBrain announced that WildBrain Spark would be merged with the parent company's London YouTube network business, Digital Studios, and Media Solutions. The integration was completed in January 2024. Kate Smith was appointed Executive Vice-President for Audience Engagement, marking a move toward a more integrated structure for WildBrain's digital channels, content operations, and audience-facing activities. WildBrain London therefore represents the London-based continuation of WildBrain's YouTube and children's digital media capabilities, although individual programmes and channels remain subject to separate rights, territory, and platform arrangements.

• 2024

  Integration completed

  [1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  The organisational integration is completed, and Kate Smith becomes Executive Vice-President for Audience Engagement.

• 2023

  WildBrain Spark integration announced

  [1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  WildBrain announces the merger of WildBrain Spark with its London YouTube network business, Digital Studios, and Media Solutions.

• 2019

  Parent company adopts the WildBrain name

  [1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  DHX Media announces its corporate rebrand as WildBrain, after which the London MCN becomes known as WildBrain Spark.

• 2016

  WildBrain London officially launches

  [1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  The London-based children's multi-channel network officially begins operating under the WildBrain identity.

A global-facing children's digital media operator focused on YouTube distribution, short-form production, channel management, and audience engagement for preschool, family, and youth entertainment brands.

• Digital distribution and channel management · 2016

  WildBrain YouTube Network

  WildBrain London's core offering is the management and distribution of children's programming through YouTube and related digital platforms. It operates channels and content portfolios for WildBrain-owned properties and external partners, applying programming, localization, audience-development, and platform-management capabilities across preschool and family entertainment.

• Children's animation and live action · 2017

  Original and co-produced short-form programming

  The division develops animated and live-action shorts built around established characters, licensed brands, and digital-first concepts. Known projects include Brum & Friends, Caillou: New Adventures, Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets, Hairdorables, Polly Pocket, Tiddlytubbies, and Teletubbies: Let's Go!, with some productions made alongside outside rights holders and studios.

• Licensed and library programming · 2016

  WildBrain children's catalogue

  The online catalogue has included a wide range of library and current children's series, including Caillou, Fireman Sam, Grizzy & the Lemmings, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, Peppa Pig, Strawberry Shortcake, Teletubbies, The Smurfs, and Woody Woodpecker. Rights and availability differ by programme, territory, and platform.

• 2023

  Integration of WildBrain Spark with London digital operationsStrategy

  Background

  WildBrain sought to combine related London-based capabilities covering YouTube networks, digital studios, and media solutions.

  Action taken

  WildBrain announced that WildBrain Spark would merge into the parent company's YouTube network business alongside Digital Studios and Media Solutions.

  Aftermath

  The integration was completed in January 2024, with audience engagement placed under the leadership of Kate Smith.

  Source

• 2019

  Adoption of the WildBrain Spark identityStrategy

  Background

  DHX Media was repositioning its corporate identity around the WildBrain name, while the London MCN had expanded its digital distribution and production activities.

  Action taken

  The London multi-channel network was subsequently renamed WildBrain Spark.

  Aftermath

  The Spark name highlighted the operation's role in digital content, YouTube channels, and audience development within the broader WildBrain group.

  Source

• 2024

  Integration completed and Kate Smith appointed for audience engagement[1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  The London business integration was completed, with Kate Smith appointed Executive Vice-President for Audience Engagement.

• 2023

  WildBrain Spark merges into WildBrain's London YouTube network business[1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  WildBrain announced the integration of WildBrain Spark with its London YouTube network operation, Digital Studios, and Media Solutions.

• 2019

  DHX Media announces WildBrain corporate rebrand[1]WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  DHX Media announced that it would change its corporate name to WildBrain, and the London multi-channel network subsequently adopted the WildBrain Spark identity.

1. 1WildBrain Londonen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Crayola Launches New Season of Digital-First Content in Partnership with WildBrain Sparkprnewswire.com
3. 3WildBrain Completes Initial Closing of US$12.2 Million Financing for Growth Initiativesprnewswire.com
4. 4WildBrain Spark appoints new vice president and head of US advertising saleslicensing.biz