The beloved children's character Clifford the Big Red Dog returns in a new series in December on Amazon Prime and PBS KIDS -- and then hits the big screen next year. Scholastic Entertainment has announced that the new version of the classic tale hits Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 6, and PBS KIDS the next day.
The 39 22-minute episodes feature Clifford, his best friend Emily Elizabeth, and new friends, adventures and original songs. Along with the series, there will be an extensive licensing and consumer-products products and global publishing program, with new titles coming out in 2019. Scholastic is still actively seeking licensees for the brand, with the first group of new licensees to be launched soon. As for the big screen, Paramount Pictures will be releasing a live-action/animation hybrid Clifford the Big Red Dog feature film on Nov. 13, 2020. From the press release:
"We look at every character on PBS KIDS as a role model for the joy of learning," said Linda Simensky, VP, Children's Programming, PBS. "Emily Elizabeth and Clifford showcase the thrill of working together and learning from one another, through stories that weave together imaginative play, early learning, and social-emotional concepts."
"With an exciting expanded world and so many big adventures ahead, Clifford The Big Red Dog will win over children and families around the globe once again," said series co-executive producer Caitlin Friedman, SVP & General Manager Scholastic Entertainment. "From a fresh new look to a full-scale licensing program with products that will help kids extend the fun and positive messages of the series beyond the screen, Clifford is well-poised to make a larger-than-life return."We'll have to see what the new series looks like, but regarding the previous one, CommonSense Media rates it for ages three and up and says:
Parents need to know that Clifford the Big Red Dog is chock-full of positive lessons and likable characters -- and may remind parents of their own childhood fascination with Clifford. Kids are often magnetically drawn to stories about Clifford because he's the magical pet every child wishes for. The series is full of educational messages on social, emotional, and physical matters.
Image: Scholastic Entertainment
Kate O’Hare, a longtime entertainment journalist, is Social Media Manager at Family Theater Productions.
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