Blue Ant expands BeddyByes consumer products programme
Blue Ant Media is expanding the global consumer products programme for its preschool brand BeddyByes, with Penguin Random House Children’s Licensing in the UK, under the Ladybird imprint, and Random House Kids in the US joining as global publishing partners alongside master toy partner Moose Toys. The expansion comes ahead of the first BeddyByes products launching at UK retail from October 2026.
Focus on toys and publishing
The programme will initially focus on toys and publishing, with the UK offering also set to expand into apparel through licensees including TDP Textiles later this year. The move follows strong audience performance for BeddyByes on BBC iPlayer and CBeebies. The series generated 3.7 million viewing hours on BBC iPlayer during its first 28 days of availability, with viewing subsequently more than doubling to 10.4 million hours.
UK retail launch
The UK retail launch will begin in October with a Moose Toys plush collection featuring MeMo, BaBa and Yummy Dog, including talking versions of MeMo and BaBa and a large Yummy Dog plush. The products will be available through major UK retailers including The Entertainer, Argos and Amazon.
BeddyByes
On October 22, 2026, BeddyByes: Time for BeddyByes will launch in the UK through Penguin Random House Children’s Licensing under the Ladybird imprint and in the US through Random House Kids. The interactive board book follows MeMo and BaBa through different parts of their daily routine before bedtime. Three further titles are planned for early 2027.
Created by JAM Media co founders John Rice and Alan Shannon, BeddyByes follows best friends MeMo and BaBa on the fictional Planet BeddyByes. The twenty six episode animated preschool series is designed to accompany young children through the transition from playtime to bedtime. The series was developed with early childhood development expert Dr Jacqueline Harding and is narrated by Dawn French as Gramma Leeba.
The autumn campaign
The autumn campaign will also include a partnership with parenting expert Heidi Skudder, with podcast and social media content connecting BeddyByes to everyday family routines. Blue Ant Media’s in house Marketing and PR teams are managing the expansion, supported by Highlight PR and Kids Industries, while Bulldog Licensing is the UK licensing agent.