Bing and Bong Get Stuffed at Commonwealth Toy

Commonwealth Toy and Novelty has been named U.S. licensee for plush toys based on the award-winning, internationally distributed pre-school TV property Tiny Planets. Initial products will focus on the show’s central characters, Bing and Bong, who travel their universe on a furry white sofa. The company anticipates a marketing launch at Toy Fair 2004.

Tiny Planets, a co-production between U.K.-based Peppers Ghost Prods. and Sesame Workshop, consists of 65×5 episodes broadcast on Nickelodeon owned NOGGIN, the commercial-free educational network for preschoolers. Worldwide, distribution for the series has grown to include 83 territories, with second seasons underway in a number of countries including the U.K., Australia, Japan and Germany. In the U.K., the show continues to be number one in its time slot on CiTV and a broad-based merchandise program is already underway.

This fall, NOGGIN will celebrate Columbus Day with the week-long, exploration-focused special Tiny Planets Big Week of Sofa Safaris. The seven, half-hour episodes will air daily over a one-week period.