Wizz, the pompous blue monster who wants you to change the channel, has arrived with all 12 2D episodes of comedy's first season streaming on Fire TV and Fire Tablets via a 9 Story Distribution licensing deal; 20-episode 2nd season follows at later date.
Do Not Watch This Show, the Australian animated comedy from entertainer and children's author Andy Lee, makes its North American debut on Amazon Kids+ just debuted its complete 12-episode first season in the U.S. and Canada. 9 Story Distribution International, which picked up the series last October, has licensed it to Kids+, where it streams on Fire TV and Fire Tablets; Season 2, with 20 episodes, follows at a later date.
Based on Lee's "Do Not Open This Book" picture books, which have sold more than four million copies in 35 languages, the 2D series follows Wizz, a pompous blue monster who is desperate for audiences to stop watching. Convinced he should not be the star of a television series, Wizz goes to increasingly ridiculous lengths to sabotage every episode; every attempt only makes the show more entertaining. Lee voices Wizz.
The series has been a breakout hit at home. Its launch on the ABC drew an average audience of one million viewers across ABC Family and the ABC iview streaming service in its first two weeks, the biggest launch for a new children's and family program in iview's history. Season 1 racked up 115 million minutes viewed in its first three months, earning a quick second-season renewal. The first two seasons premiered on CBeebies in the UK this summer.
"I've spent years telling children not to open the book and not to watch the show, and unsurprisingly they've refused to listen," said Lee, who created and executive produces the series. "We're thrilled to bring Wizz to audiences across the U.S. and Canada. He'll be absolutely devastated to hear that even more people are about to ignore his instructions."
"We love the irreverent humor and silliness of Do Not Watch This Show, and can't wait for families across the U.S. and Canada to watch it on Amazon Kids+. Sorry, Wizz," said Josh Mandel, senior executive, development and production for Amazon Kids+.
Lee is best known in Australia as half of the comedy duo Hamish & Andy, hosts of the country's top podcast on LISTNR, and as host of Nine's comedy-and-statistics panel show The Hundred.
Lee Bones Production makes the show for the ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC in association with VicScreen. Leo Baker directs. 9 Story Distribution International, the international sales arm of Scholastic-owned 9 Story Media Group, holds worldwide distribution rights outside Australia and New Zealand.
Source: 9 Story Distribution International
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
