William Astor, who co-founded kids TV juggernaut Silvergate Media, has stepped down as the company’s chair.
Silvergate, which was acquired by Sony Pictures Television in 2019, quietly re-branded as Sony Pictures Television – Kids in 2022.
“I can confirm I am no longer associated with Sony and have resigned as director and chairman,” Astor told Variety. He stepped down at the end of December.
Astor originally co-founded the company alongside well-known British television producer Waheed Alli back in 2011. It is best known for producing children’s animated franchises “Octonauts” — which has inspired films and theme park attractions across the world — and Nickelodeon animation “Peter Rabbit,” based on the classic children’s books by Beatrix Potter. It has also produced shows including “Hilda,” a Netflix animated series based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels of the same name, and Nickelodeon’s “Sunny Day,” about the adventures of a young hair stylist.
Sony paid...
Silvergate, which was acquired by Sony Pictures Television in 2019, quietly re-branded as Sony Pictures Television – Kids in 2022.
“I can confirm I am no longer associated with Sony and have resigned as director and chairman,” Astor told Variety. He stepped down at the end of December.
Astor originally co-founded the company alongside well-known British television producer Waheed Alli back in 2011. It is best known for producing children’s animated franchises “Octonauts” — which has inspired films and theme park attractions across the world — and Nickelodeon animation “Peter Rabbit,” based on the classic children’s books by Beatrix Potter. It has also produced shows including “Hilda,” a Netflix animated series based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels of the same name, and Nickelodeon’s “Sunny Day,” about the adventures of a young hair stylist.
Sony paid...
- 1/10/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Fans cannot seem to entirely agree on the age of the main character in the popular Netflix series Hilda is supposed to be.
Hilda started as a series of comics called Hildafolk, written and drawn by creator Luke Pearson back in 2010. Centering on a little girl named Hilda, naturally, the eventual Netflix animated series followed her on her mystical adventures in a world that took inspiration from Scandinavian folklore.
As the program gained in popularity, debates have sprung up over how old Hilda is specifically supposed to be in each of the show’s three seasons. Although there are some indicators of her age throughout the series, the actual specifics remain difficult to puzzle out.
Read full article on The Direct.
Hilda started as a series of comics called Hildafolk, written and drawn by creator Luke Pearson back in 2010. Centering on a little girl named Hilda, naturally, the eventual Netflix animated series followed her on her mystical adventures in a world that took inspiration from Scandinavian folklore.
As the program gained in popularity, debates have sprung up over how old Hilda is specifically supposed to be in each of the show’s three seasons. Although there are some indicators of her age throughout the series, the actual specifics remain difficult to puzzle out.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 12/10/2023
- by Jennifer McDonough
- The Direct
It can be said without a shred of doubt that the 1990s and early 2000s were truly the golden age of Western cartoons. It was a period when not only innovative storytelling became the forte of multitudes of classic animated ventures, but every single aspect, from animation styles to voice acting to sound design, also became pioneering in its own accord. With time, Western cartoons gradually lost their charm and were eventually substituted with the anime fervor of Gen Z.
However, thanks to streaming platforms’ commitment in rejuvenating Western cartoons in recent years, a steady increase in the quality of animated adaptations is noticeable. Netflix, for instance has assembled an animated gallery that can even rival Crunchyroll’s rich anime repertoire and has offered a number of titles that can make classic cartoon fans hopeful for the genre’s future. Hilda, adapted from Luke Pearson’s children’s comic series of the same name,...
However, thanks to streaming platforms’ commitment in rejuvenating Western cartoons in recent years, a steady increase in the quality of animated adaptations is noticeable. Netflix, for instance has assembled an animated gallery that can even rival Crunchyroll’s rich anime repertoire and has offered a number of titles that can make classic cartoon fans hopeful for the genre’s future. Hilda, adapted from Luke Pearson’s children’s comic series of the same name,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Netflix's animated Hilda series is returning for a third and final season that will boast a cast led by The Last of Us and Game of Thrones actress Bella Ramsey.
Hilda has been one of Netflix's highest-rated TV shows since it first debuted on the platform in 2018 (boasting an 8.5 rating on IMDb). The show follows a character named Hilda as she and her friends go on adventures to meet and befriend different people and creatures.
In an interview with Animation Magazine, the show's creator and co-producer Luke Pearson teased what will come in Season 3, explaining how it will ultimately tell "a more focused, ongoing story," and that it will definitely "surprise" viewers.
Read full article on The Direct.
Hilda has been one of Netflix's highest-rated TV shows since it first debuted on the platform in 2018 (boasting an 8.5 rating on IMDb). The show follows a character named Hilda as she and her friends go on adventures to meet and befriend different people and creatures.
In an interview with Animation Magazine, the show's creator and co-producer Luke Pearson teased what will come in Season 3, explaining how it will ultimately tell "a more focused, ongoing story," and that it will definitely "surprise" viewers.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 12/7/2023
- by Nathan Johnson
- The Direct
Exclusive: The third and final season of Netflix animated series Hilda will launch on December 7. Episodes one and two of the Bella Ramsey-voiced show will premiere at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
The show, which Sony Pictures Television — Kids makes with Canada’s Mercury Filmworks, follows Ramsay’s fearless, blue-haired titular character as she travels from home to a vast magical wilderness of elves and giants and the city of Trolberg, where she makes friends and discovers mysterious creatures who are stronger — and sometimes more dangerous — than she ever expected. It has won Emmys, BAFTA and Annies since launch in 2018.
Season three’s first episodes will play at Ottawa’s animation fest this week on Thursday (September 21) before Netflix debuts the final seven-part run (and a 70-minute special) in December.
The series is based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels for older kids, which is published by Nobrow. Pearson...
The show, which Sony Pictures Television — Kids makes with Canada’s Mercury Filmworks, follows Ramsay’s fearless, blue-haired titular character as she travels from home to a vast magical wilderness of elves and giants and the city of Trolberg, where she makes friends and discovers mysterious creatures who are stronger — and sometimes more dangerous — than she ever expected. It has won Emmys, BAFTA and Annies since launch in 2018.
Season three’s first episodes will play at Ottawa’s animation fest this week on Thursday (September 21) before Netflix debuts the final seven-part run (and a 70-minute special) in December.
The series is based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels for older kids, which is published by Nobrow. Pearson...
- 9/18/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
As vegan lifestyle influencer Luke Pearson tells it, on June 6, he was packing to leave his home in Portland, Oregon, for a trip to Mexico, when he reached for Daily Harvest’s frozen French Lentil and Leek Crumbles to cook up a nutritious late-night snack. The product, which he’d gotten in a PR package the company sent out to influencers, comprises lentils, butternut squash, hemp seeds, quinoa, and other ostensibly healthy ingredients, bound into clusters.
That night was actually the second time he made it, he says. The first time,...
That night was actually the second time he made it, he says. The first time,...
- 6/24/2022
- by Andrea Marks
- Rollingstone.com
Actors Lupita Nyong’o and Mark Hamill were among the winners in the Daytime Emmys’ Children’s and Animation categories, announced Saturday.
Nyong’o won out in the category of Outstanding Limited Performance In a Children’s Program, with her turn as “The Storyteller” in Netflix’s Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.
Hamill, meanwhile, dominated the category of Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program. He was recognized for his performance as Vuli in Disney Channel series Elena of Avalor.
The latest Emmys telecast was hosted by singer, songwriter, director and Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actress Raven-Symoné. Additional presenters included Millie Davis (PBS’s Odd Squad), and Tom Kenny (Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants), with awards given out in 30 categories.
The first batch of 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out in 41 categories, on June 25. An additional award show focused on Lifestyle Programming, will be presented on Sunday.
Tonight’s full list of winners can be found below.
Nyong’o won out in the category of Outstanding Limited Performance In a Children’s Program, with her turn as “The Storyteller” in Netflix’s Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.
Hamill, meanwhile, dominated the category of Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program. He was recognized for his performance as Vuli in Disney Channel series Elena of Avalor.
The latest Emmys telecast was hosted by singer, songwriter, director and Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actress Raven-Symoné. Additional presenters included Millie Davis (PBS’s Odd Squad), and Tom Kenny (Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants), with awards given out in 30 categories.
The first batch of 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out in 41 categories, on June 25. An additional award show focused on Lifestyle Programming, will be presented on Sunday.
Tonight’s full list of winners can be found below.
- 7/18/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Television is diving into children’s TV in a big way by buying Silvergate Media – the producer behind global hits “Octonauts,” Netflix’s “Hilda” and the “Peter Rabbit” animated series – for $195 million, Variety has learned. The acquisition marks Spt’s first move into producing kids’ TV and follows its stablemate Sony Pictures Animation’s diversification into TV series.
Spt is buying Silvergate from the current management team and Shamrock Capital. L.A.-based investment business Shamrock acquired 51% of Silvergate in 2016. Among Silvergate’s assets is a 49% stake in a joint venture formed last year with China’s Wanda Group. That entity holds the rights to “Octonauts,” the preschool animated series about a band of intrepid underwater explorers. The show started out in the U.K. and has become a global success.
Sony has also acquired a minority stake in Silvergate Bp Bidco, which owns the “Peter Rabbit” animated TV series.
Spt is buying Silvergate from the current management team and Shamrock Capital. L.A.-based investment business Shamrock acquired 51% of Silvergate in 2016. Among Silvergate’s assets is a 49% stake in a joint venture formed last year with China’s Wanda Group. That entity holds the rights to “Octonauts,” the preschool animated series about a band of intrepid underwater explorers. The show started out in the U.K. and has become a global success.
Sony has also acquired a minority stake in Silvergate Bp Bidco, which owns the “Peter Rabbit” animated TV series.
- 12/10/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
BAFTA has announced the winners of this year’s British Academy Children’s Awards. There were three first-time winners at the ceremony in London, including Emily Burnett who won the BAFTA for Performer for her role in The Dumping Ground; Lindsey Russell for Presenter for Blue Peter; and Bella Ramsay for her performance in The Worst Witch in the Young Performer category.
Dirk Campbell, also for The Worst Witch, won in the Director category. The coming-of-age film Leaving Care, following two care leavers as they navigate a series of firsts without the help of a family, won two BAFTAs: Content For Change and Teen.
CBeebies won Channel, the seventh time since the category was introduced in 2006.
Horrible Histories won Comedy, the sixth time it has won in this category. The Drama award was won by Creeped Out.
The show that pitches the nation’s pets against each other – Play...
Dirk Campbell, also for The Worst Witch, won in the Director category. The coming-of-age film Leaving Care, following two care leavers as they navigate a series of firsts without the help of a family, won two BAFTAs: Content For Change and Teen.
CBeebies won Channel, the seventh time since the category was introduced in 2006.
Horrible Histories won Comedy, the sixth time it has won in this category. The Drama award was won by Creeped Out.
The show that pitches the nation’s pets against each other – Play...
- 12/1/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix released the first trailer for their new animated series Hilda. The series is based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novel of the same name. It looks like a charming series filled with magical childlike imagination and what looks to be exciting adventures.
The story follows a young girl named Hilda whose life takes her on a journey in which she encounters a mystical world filled with trolls, elves and other magical creatures in a remote northern setting.
The series stars Bella Ramsey (Lyanna Mormont in Games of Thrones) as the voice of Hilda and is produced by Silvergate Media (Octonauts) in collaboration with Mercury Filmworks.
The entire first season will drop on Friday, September 21st. Enjoy the trailer!
The story follows a young girl named Hilda whose life takes her on a journey in which she encounters a mystical world filled with trolls, elves and other magical creatures in a remote northern setting.
The series stars Bella Ramsey (Lyanna Mormont in Games of Thrones) as the voice of Hilda and is produced by Silvergate Media (Octonauts) in collaboration with Mercury Filmworks.
The entire first season will drop on Friday, September 21st. Enjoy the trailer!
- 9/13/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Annecy, France — The prizes have yet to be awarded, and we aren’t making the case the below-mentioned series are surefire winners. Nor were they chosen in any effort towards ranking. Rather, the five TV films, chosen from 23 competing at Annecy, were selected in an effort to represent the competition as a whole, its diverse pool of submitting countries and the range in audience demographics for the represented entries.
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
- 6/16/2018
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Annecy, France — The prizes have yet to be awarded, and we aren’t making the case the below-mentioned series are surefire winners. Nor were they chosen in any effort towards ranking. Rather, the five TV films, chosen from 23 competing at Annecy, were selected in an effort to represent the competition as a whole, its diverse pool of submitting countries and the range in audience demographics for the represented entries.
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
- 6/16/2018
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Annecy, France — At its first Annecy presentation ever, Netflix announced that it has renewed anime series “B: the Beginning” for a second season, development on Chilean Fernando Frick’s “Raise the Bar” and a debut date for Andy Coyle’s “Hilda.”
As an Easter Egg, Netflix also played a final clip of a Mexican masked animator, which most of the room will have taken to be Jorge Gutiérrez, director of “Book of Life” and a popular legend at Annecy, announcing that he couldn’t announce anything about his “new epic series” with Netflix.
Both “B: the Beginning” and “Hilda” screen in Annecy’s TV series competition. Directed by Yoshinobu Yamakawa and Kazuto Nakazawa, who gained instant fame directing the animation on “Kill Bill: Volume 1,” “B: the Beginning” marks Nakazawa’s debut as a series creator.
Starring a voice cast of Hiroaki Hirata and Yuki Kaji, it is set in a...
As an Easter Egg, Netflix also played a final clip of a Mexican masked animator, which most of the room will have taken to be Jorge Gutiérrez, director of “Book of Life” and a popular legend at Annecy, announcing that he couldn’t announce anything about his “new epic series” with Netflix.
Both “B: the Beginning” and “Hilda” screen in Annecy’s TV series competition. Directed by Yoshinobu Yamakawa and Kazuto Nakazawa, who gained instant fame directing the animation on “Kill Bill: Volume 1,” “B: the Beginning” marks Nakazawa’s debut as a series creator.
Starring a voice cast of Hiroaki Hirata and Yuki Kaji, it is set in a...
- 6/12/2018
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has drawn up a Season 2 renewal for its anime series B: The Beginning and set a September 21 date for the series premiere for the toon Hilda.
Produced by Rui Kuroki, B: The Beginning is set in a world powered by advanced technology, where crime and action sweep through the archipelagic nation of Cremona. Chief among the major players is “Killer B,” a serial killer who has thrown the city into chaos. The stories of protagonist Koku, legendary investigator Keith and a mysterious criminal organization intertwine as a wide variety of characters surround them on the journey, as they attempt to stop a chain of horrific crimes.
Hilda, from Silvergate Media and based on the graphic novels by Luke Pearson, follows the adventures of a fearless blue-haired girl as she travels from her home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants, to the bustling city of Trolberg,...
Produced by Rui Kuroki, B: The Beginning is set in a world powered by advanced technology, where crime and action sweep through the archipelagic nation of Cremona. Chief among the major players is “Killer B,” a serial killer who has thrown the city into chaos. The stories of protagonist Koku, legendary investigator Keith and a mysterious criminal organization intertwine as a wide variety of characters surround them on the journey, as they attempt to stop a chain of horrific crimes.
Hilda, from Silvergate Media and based on the graphic novels by Luke Pearson, follows the adventures of a fearless blue-haired girl as she travels from her home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants, to the bustling city of Trolberg,...
- 6/12/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
During its first-ever Annecy International Animated Film Festival presentation, Netflix on Tuesday announced the second season of its Japanese anime series from Kill Bill’s Kazuto Nakazawa, B: The Beginning, has been given the green light. The streamer also announced the upcoming Hilda, based on the books by Luke Pearson and directed by Andy Coyle, will premiere Sept. 21.
Netflix brought Nakazawa and Coyle, whose series are both in the fest's TV competition section, to the presentation, along with kids and family vp Melissa Cobb and director of international originals Aram Yacoubian, as well as Raise the Bar creator ...
Netflix brought Nakazawa and Coyle, whose series are both in the fest's TV competition section, to the presentation, along with kids and family vp Melissa Cobb and director of international originals Aram Yacoubian, as well as Raise the Bar creator ...
- 6/12/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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