Mondo TV announces the launch of MeteoHeroes in Italy

Animation & Characters Movie & Television

Special Earth Day premiere on Cartoonito followed by June launch for ecological adventure series

Mondo TV, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, has announced that the show – in which six amazing kids use their superpowers to protect the planet from extreme weather events and pollution – will premiere with a special four-episode sneak preview in April on the free-to-air channel Cartoonito, a leading DTTV and satellite channel for pre-schoolers operated by Boing SpA.

The premiere date – the 22^nd of April – was carefully chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Four episodes will be specially premiered at evening prime time (beginning between 7.30pm and 8pm) during the Earth Day anniversary celebration. Viewers will be also able to hear the MeteoHeroes theme song for the very first time; it is performed by Francesco Facchinetti, aka DJ Francesco, a popular Italian DJ, producer, singer, musician and TV presenter.

The premiere will be accompanied by a major media campaign during which the stars of MeteoHeroes will play their roles as ambassadors in the fight to protect our planet.

The series will launch in June, 29th when the four opening episodes will again appear, followed by 14 brand-new episodes, further building brand momentum ahead of the launch of new episodes in October, when previous episodes will begin a second run.

MeteoHeroes, a Mondo TV co-production with Meteo Expert Center, a leading Italian weather forecasting group with a strong international reputation, addresses issues like climate change, ecology and respect for nature through the amazing adventures of six superpowered children. It’s an important message, but it’s delivered in a fun, engaging way in a series full of action and comedy that helps young viewers understand the issues and how they can help the planet through the adventures of six extraordinary kids.

MeteoHeroes’ enormous potential has already attracted a number of major licensees. The values of sustainability and respect for the environment will be reflected in the show’s carefully devised licensing programme, along, of course, with the excitement, fun and great characters central to the show’s appeal.

Giunti has been licensed to produce books and activity books, while Playpress plans a magic book and colouring and activity books for the newsstand channel. Mondadori is on board for a monthly magazine – with MeteoHeroes-inspired gadgets, of course. EU Promotions will be handling the loyalty promotion category. Ravensburger will be producing puzzles and memory games. Among other categories, home video will be handled by Koch Media and Kimbe will organise shopping mall events as the licensee of costume characters for meet-and-greet activities. Many other negotiations are ongoing or completed, including a range of Easter eggs for 2021.

Products inspired by the show will reflect its positive message: they will be designed and developed in compliance with sustainable best practices using recyclable materials. The licensing programme will also commit to a reduced carbon footprint with tangible zero-impact campaigns.

But that’s not all. Supporting marketing activities will include a starring role for the MeteoHeroes in Globo WePlanet, an initiative organized by the Mondadori group and Mediamond with the support of a number of local authorities including the Municipality of Milan. It’s an open-air, interactive exhibition of contemporary art and design focusing on sustainable development, with the aim of raising awareness among people and businesses of sustainability issues across the world.

The six MeteoHeroes will even feature in a dedicated human-sized globe installed in downtown Milan from June to September, accompanied by an augmented reality element. If you point your smartphone at the globe, you will be taken to a page that offers information on the project and the artist who made it.

Many more digital initiatives are planned, leveraging the multi-tasking skills of the tech-savvy and environmentally aware kids that are MeteoHeroes’ main target audience.

Matteo Corradi, Mondo TV CEO, says: “The arrival of MeteoHeroes on Cartoonito is a major statement about the quality, originality and potential of this new series. We think the time is right for a show that addresses important issues in an engaging, exciting way that boys and girls everywhere will love – and this is it. There really isn’t anything like MeteoHeroes on TV anywhere.”

Luigi Latini, CEO, Meteo Expert Center – IconaMeteo, Creator and Executive Producer of MeteoHeroes, says: “MeteoHeroes perfectly balances action, humour and superb design with some genuinely fascinating insights into the weather, how it works, and how our actions can affect it. It’s great entertainment that has something really important to say about climate change and about the global issue of pollution and we’re very proud to have helped to bring it to the screen. I am sure that children everywhere will love it – and so will parents!”