Billie Eilish will read CBeeb’s bedtime story

BILLIE’S BEDTIME STORY

Multi-award winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish joins the celebrity readers’ roster for the CBeebies Bedtime Story slot on the BBC preschool network CBeebies. Eilish will read “This Moose Belongs to Me” by author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers. The story follows Wilfred, a young boy who believes he owns a moose named Marcel. Eilish introduces the story by sharing her love for both music and nature.

The story takes a turn when someone else claims ownership of Marcel during a forest adventure, teaching Wilfred a valuable lesson. Eilish sums up the moral, stating: “We need to care for beautiful, wild creatures like Marcel, but we also need to let them do their own thing.”

Eilish will make her debut on the popular children’s program on July 19. A staple of British children’s television since 2002, CBeebies Bedtime Story airs weekdays on CBeebies and is available on BBC iPlayer. The program featured numerous high-profile guests, including Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Kate Winslet, Chris Hemsworth, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Orlando Bloom, Elton John and Ed Sheeran.

AMENDMENT

Japanese Nippon TV and the Philippines’ ABS CBN join forces to bring the hit Japanese drama “Mother” to Filipino audiences. The film adaptation, titled ‘Saving Grace’, marks the tenth international version of the series and will feature the lead character Julia Montes in the lead.

“Mother” first aired on Nippon TV in 2010 to awards and critical acclaim. It has since become a widely exported format, with adaptations in Turkey, South Korea, Ukraine, Thailand, China, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Mongolia.

The plot follows a teacher who kidnaps a young student suffering from abuse, leading to a national manhunt. “Saving Grace” will begin production soon, with a scheduled air date in 2025.

EXTENSIONS

The London TV screenings will grow for the 2025 edition, which runs from February 23-28. The UK distribution event gets underway Studio channel‘s showcase and continue with founding distributor events All3Media International, Banijay Entertainment, Fremantle And ITV Studios.

Around 30 companies will take part, offering free, curated events in Leicester Square, Soho and Covent Garden. Attendees can expect exclusive previews of scripted and unscripted content, including formats, and opportunities to connect with industry talent.

The event is becoming increasingly well known, with a 50% increase in the number of buyers by 2024, with a total of more than 750 participants. The expanded schedule is intended to accommodate the increasing number of participating distributors and studios.

Complementing the city’s growing presence in the industry, RX France recently announced plans to bring Mip London to the British capital in 2025, where it will take place alongside the London Screenings from February 24 to 27.

The full line-up for the 2025 London TV Screenings will be announced in the coming weeks.

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BBC Studios And Samsung TV Plus are expanding their partnership by expanding two BBC FAST channel brands into the EMEA region. BBC Drama will debut in MENA on Samsung TV Plus, while automotive series “Top Gear” will launch on the platform in MENA, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

BBC Drama, already available in Spain, Italy and France on Samsung TV Plus, will bring award-winning British content to MENA viewers. The channel’s lineup includes period drama ‘Call The Midwife’, Caribbean crime series ‘Death in Paradise’ and family drama ‘The Durrells’.

“Top Gear” expands its FAST channel presence to MENA, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Denmark on Samsung TV Plus. This move follows the successful launch of the show on the platform in the Benelux and its availability on Pluto TV in the same markets.