Banijay Kids & Family Announces Worldwide Sales for ‘Once Upon a Time…’

Banijay Kids & Family – behind the hit shows “Totally Spies!” and “Mr. Bean: The Animated Series” – has announced new distribution deals for the latest installment of “Once Upon a Time…” produced by Procidis.

Season 8, “Once Upon a Time… The Objects,” has been picked up by Puls 2’s Puls Kids in Poland, Turkuvaz Media Group’s children’s channel Minika GO in Turkey, TFO in Canada and Radio Television Hong Kong.

There’s more good news, however, as previous seasons “continue to flourish” with AMC Networks International picking up CNE seasons 3 and 7 (“Life,” “Planet Earth”) for multiple Eastern European territories, and SF Studios picking up season 3 (“Life”) for Norway and Sweden.

Described as an “iconic edutainment franchise,” the “Once Upon a Time…” saga was originally created by Albert Barillé in 1978 and has been broadcast continuously in France for almost 50 years.

“Its continued journey across borders and into new territories demonstrates its continued relevance and appeal on a global scale,” said Cécile Cau, SVP Sales, Co-productions and Acquisitions at Banijay Kids & Family.

“The franchise has a lasting legacy and educational value that will stay with viewers for a lifetime, spark curiosity in childhood and continue to resonate with fans well into adulthood.”

Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family and president of Procidis, said Variety: “When it was created, ‘Once Upon a Time…’ was revolutionary. Albert Barillé created a unique visual and narrative language that appealed to children and parents alike.”

Its longevity is rooted in its ability to “combine storytelling with education in a way that is both compelling and timeless,” he argued, “making knowledge accessible, playful and universal.”

“The franchise has always sparked curiosity in children, leaving a lasting impression into adulthood. What has kept the franchise alive is its adaptability, with each new season tackling new themes that resonate with today’s audiences. Each episode is driven by curiosity, pedagogy and genuine kindness to the audience.”

However, it is not the end of the decades-long story.

“The continued success of ‘Once Upon a Time…’ in new territories and platforms shows that there is still a strong need for thoughtful, educational content. With Helene Barillé, we have bold plans to grow and evolve the brand for a new generation. We continue to build on its legacy and introduce it to new generations around the world, both through content and beyond, with a growing portfolio of experiences and products.”

Although each season has a different focus, ‘The Objects’ takes a fresh look at the everyday objects that shape our world.

“It’s a smart way to teach children about science, history and culture through objects they encounter every day. Buyers have responded enthusiastically because the show is accessible and universal, and they value content that cleverly combines education and entertainment,” said Di Sabatino. Arguing that the magic of the franchise is fun in its storytelling.

“It doesn’t preach. It entertains. It invites understanding rather than memorization. Humor, poetry and iconic characters make knowledge come alive.”

He added: “It has always respected the intelligence of its audience and is a trusted source of knowledge, capturing the imagination of children. That balance of emotion, narrative and scientific accuracy is what makes it such a timeless model of ‘edutainment’, long before the term even existed.”