BBC Studios unearths new Bluey treasure for global audience
The digital short, which was part of the first set of 20 Bluey Shorts commissioned by BBC Studios Digital Brands in 2021, stars Bluey's dad Bandit, an archaeologist, as he hosts a talk on an archaeological discovery from a bygone era. The footage digs into Bandit's professional life offering a chance to see Bluey's beloved dad in a whole new light.
'Archaeology' was first released on Bluey Facebook in April 2022 just for Australian followers. As Bandit has since evolved internationally to become one of the best loved dads on TV, BBC Studios Digital Brands has now made 'Archaeology' available to watch on Official Bluey YouTube and Bluey.tv for the first time.
'Archaeology' was shown for the first time to an audience outside of Australia at SXSW Austin, USA by BBC Studios CEO Brands and Licensing, Nicki Sheard on the 8th March. Fans all around the world are now also able to discover this hidden gem, with a running time of 1 minute and 36 seconds, for themselves.
The release comes after a wave of exciting Bluey news as BBC Studios and Ludo Studio announced not long ago that there was a movie in the works, expected to hit screens in 2027, with global distribution by the Walt Disney Company. Plus, the Bluey Digital Brands team won the Best YouTube Channel and the Best Web/App Series – Branded for Bluey Book Reads recently at Kidscreen Awards 2025. A second series of Bluey Book Reads is landing on Official Bluey YouTube and Bluey.tv later this year, with the full star-studded line-up to be revealed soon.
Last year, it was revealed by Nielsen that Bluey was the No.1 most-watched series on streaming in 2024 among total viewers in the U.S., with nearly 56 billion minutes watched (930M hours). Bluey is also the #1 kids show on CBeebies/iPlayer and Disney+ in the UK .
Further digital original content and partnerships are in the pipeline and will be announced in due course.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact frances.cherry-becker@bbc.com and isabelle.lavigne@bbc.com
Notes to editors
About Bluey
The series follows Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, Blue Heeler dog, who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun.
Bluey is created and written by Joe Brumm and produced by Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS (Australia) and co-commissioned by ABC Children's and BBC Studios Kids & Family. Financed in association with Screen Australia, Bluey is proudly 100% created, written, animated, and post produced in Brisbane Queensland, Australia, with funding from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Government. BBC Studios Kids & Family hold the global distribution and merchandise rights.
In Australia, the show is broadcast on ABC. The series airs and streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.
Source: Nielsen Media Research 1/1/24-12/29/24; Bluey streaming claim based on hours streamed through Streaming Content Ratings, Live Time Spent Viewing across all episodes of series captured by Nielsen.
Source: TechEdge / Barb data / FY 24
About Ludo Studio
Ludo Studio is a BAFTA, multi-Emmy®, Logie and Peabody award-winning Australian studio and one of TIME's Most Influential Companies of 2024, that creates and produces original scripted drama, animation and digital stories that are authored by incredible local talent, distributed globally and loved by audiences everywhere. Ludostudio.com.au
About BBC Studios Brands & Licensing
The BBC Studios Brands & Licensing division is the driving force in extending BBC Studios IP through innovative brand extensions, fostering deep fan engagement worldwide. Partnering our iconic brands - including Doctor Who and Bluey - with the world's biggest brands, promoters, and publishers, ignites the imagination of fans and creates memorable brand-fame moments. Our diverse portfolio spans consumer products, live entertainment, gaming, and publishing, while BBC Studios Digital drives over 1 billion views per month, offering advertising and branded content opportunities. Supported by award-winning teams, we focus on finding visionary opportunities to enhance global brand impact and digital growth.
About BBC Studios
The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.
BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |
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