Latest news with #Teletubbies
Metro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
BBC fans urge people to watch crime series 'that's like Gavin and Stacey'
If you were imagining a good comparison for a new murder mystery show, Gavin and Stacey is probably one of the last ones you would reach for, alongside the likes of Teletubbies or Antiques Roadshow. But the new BBC cosy crime drama Death Valley takes the hard-nosed crimes of a Midsomer Murders and mixes them with a comedic sensibility of shows like the hit sitcom. The new six-parter – which is already all on iPlayer for a Bank Holiday binge – follows Timothy Spall as John Chapel, a retired TV actor who made a career as a brainbox Hercule Poirot-type solving mysteries. DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) is a mega fan of Chapel and desperate to get some convictions under her belt to climb the corporate ladder, so she enlists him to help crack the weekly mysteries. This is where the Gavin and Stacey comparison starts to make more sense, because her idle boss is played by Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches). He doesn't do much to intervene because his only aim is to keep policing paperwork to a bare minimum. Death Valley is an adequate name for where the show is set in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, because the crime-crackers are never short of a new case. The oddball duo get to work by first investigating the death of a wealthy property developer Carwyn Rees, who Chapel deduces was in fact murdered. When asked how he would describe the show, Timothy Spall labelled it 'intriguing, engaging, amusing,' then added: 'I hope! It's now over to the audience to decide!' He said in an interview with Beyond The Joke: 'Paul Doolan has written excellent scripts! He's a fantastic comedy writer but also a big fan of crime dramas. 'With Death Valley, you have three aspects – the whodunnit, characters who are both real and funny plus a dramatic, emotionally grounded quality.' It's clearly a good comfort watch, because many BBC viewers have already taken to X (formerly Twitter) to rally fellow TV fans to give Death Valley a go. @Poshaudrey wrote: 'I loved it!! Very funny!! Very Gavin and Stacey in style and humour. Don't pan it. Give it a chance.' @VikPercival echoed: 'Totally binged Death Valley what a lovely, fun and joyous British drama. Timothy Spall & Gwyneth Keyworth are funny and beautiful together. 'I blinking enjoyed it,' wrote @SUtayl. 'Not because it's filmed in Wales but it's what I call light entertainment. Breath of fresh air.' More Trending @GinaLouLoves chimed in, writing: 'A nice light hearted detective series! Definitely want to visit Wales again soon after watching this!' However, not everyone could get on board with the show's blend of the lighthearted with the more serious themes. @Clive_laddie wrote: 'How on earth did this drama get commissioned by the BBC? Making fun of suicide and murder, in a fake Welsh setting, is nothing but a recipe for disaster. And this series is a total disaster.' 'Aw… the failure of Death Valley is overdoing the comedy so it's just a cartoon caricature,' added @KateLeeComms. 'Timothy Spall is excellent with what he has to work with. Not in the league of Ludwig.' View More » Death Valley is available to stream on iPlayer and continues on BBC One on Sunday at 8:15pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Psychological thriller labelled a 'masterpiece' coming to BBC iPlayer MORE: BBC quietly adds Australian drama that left fans 'crying their eyes out' MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carnival fever gripped town as celebrations continued
Swanage Carnival in 1999 continued its long-standing tradition as a major summer event, drawing crowds for a week of family fun and entertainment. The event featured a variety of attractions, which included a grand procession, live music, and community-based activities. Attendees of the carnival enjoyed a period of settled and hot weather, with temperatures reaching up to 27.7°C on July 30th, enhancing the festive atmosphere. The procession showcased a mix of creatively themed floats from various local and visiting carnival clubs. For instance, popular culture of the time was reflected in some floats seen on the broader carnival circuit that year, such as entries based on "Star Wars – Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and Teletubbies. Read more: Nights out clubbing in Bournemouth in 1998 - in pictures 'I woke up a Dorset Dumpling': The day we were moved into Dorset How this 19th-century Bournemouth pub got its unusual name Live musical performances were a key part of the festivities, with local bands like Cadillac playing. As with every Swanage Carnival, the 1999 iteration was run by dedicated volunteers with the aim of raising significant funds for charitable causes within the community.
Metro
23-05-2025
- Metro
I visited the UK's best service station — couples even go on dates here
As I arrive at Gloucester Services, just off the M5 (southbound), I feel like I could be on the set of the Teletubbies. With its living roof, planted with grasses and wildflowers, it's a world away from the usual bleak service station experience of concrete, strip lights and queuing for a wee. And it's this eco design – plus the seriously impressive farm shop, restaurant and duck pond – that has seen this motorway stop-off crowned the UK's favourite by consumer champion Which?. The south-west services received the highest customer score of 85%, with one reviewer claiming that it was 'head and shoulders above all the others.' As someone who's lived in Gloucestershire their entire life, I'll admit, I haven't spent much time here. So, I headed to the UK's best service station, to see what all the fuss is about. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. I visit with Millie, my seven-year-old daughter, and I'm struck by just how little Gloucester Services looks like your typical motorway station. With high beams and sky light windows, it feels more like a huge, converted barn hosting a wedding, rather than a spot for weary travellers to grab a coffee and stretch their legs. Forget the usual chain coffee and fast food – there's not a McDonalds or KFC in sight. Instead, Gloucester Services gives motorists a culinary experience more akin to restaurant dining. Even the more 'upmarket' staples of M&S and Waitrose have been shunned here and in their place is a farm shop, that wouldn't look out of place in a posh part of London. Here, all the products have been locally sourced from more than 130 regional producers within a 30-mile radius. There's no need to sit in miserable plastic chairs scoffing a quick snack, either. There's indoor seating next to huge windows and a pretty terrace for alfresco dining overlooking a duck pond. Motorist Ed Clarke, 41, from Bristol, told me: 'It feels a bit like being in a restaurant at a ski resort rather than next to the M5. It's amazingly well-catered for and so light and airy.' Travelling with restless kids can be a nightmare, but rather than trying to keep them away from the usual arcade games and plush toys, there's split-level indoor play areas, made entirely out of wood, naturally. Millie loves playing on the wooden bridges and slide, carefully positioned to allow me to keep an eye on here while enjoying my food. Families are well catered for with areas for parent and child parking, bottle warming stations and baby food available to buy. There's free parking for three hours and 24 electric car chargers, as well was accessible toilets, open 24 hours, and shower facilities. Furry friends are also not forgotten with water bowls at every entrance and a designated, traffic free dog walk path, taking in the local surroundings. While exploring this outdoor area I also noticed a couple of people making the most of the free WiFi and working away on their laptops. I make a note to try it for myself the next time we welcome a heatwave to this neck of the woods. Inside the giant food hall, lies the farm shop. Fresh fruit and vegetables, a bakery, butcher's, deli and cheese counters and even a fishmonger – the supply of produce is the stuff of foodie dreams. I can see why so many local friends and family I've spoken to make time to visit. There's even an Italian-style gelato stand run by local dairy farm, Wholly Gelato. Carol, a fellow visitor from London who I chat to in the toilets, tells me that she and her husband are massive foodies and made a beeline for the farm shop. 'We've taken a 30-mile detour just to stop here for a bite to eat, and to stock up on some Gloucestershire goods to take back home,' she says. We arrived around 5pm, just in time for an early dinner. I opted for a delicious Macaroni Cheese (£7.25) served with a generous portion of homemade chunky chips and a side of garden peas, which meant that Millie's plate of sausage and chips came to just £1.50, thanks to the 'kids eat free' deal offered to all parents. Other freshly prepared menu items include beer battered cod, homemade steak pies, and a delicious smelling sweet potato and chickpea curry. As a treat for the drive home, Millie picked up a Strawberry Macaron (£3.85) from The Patisserie Box – a local Cheltenham-based supplier – that was beautifully decorated with an edible chocolate daisy. My meal was delicious – a far cry from the soggy pizzas on plastic trays I've eaten at other services in the country. This was more like the fare you'd get at a country pub. I'll be going back for another portion of those chips. Chatting outside the school gates earlier this week, a friend of mine told me that before she and her husband had children, they often used to visit Gloucester Services for afternoon dates during their lunch hour at work. After finally seeing it in all its glory (albeit 10 years after its opening) I can finally understand why. More Trending Next time I'm in need of a scotch egg, locally grown fruit and veg, or even just a calm place to WFH, I'll be heading straight up the M5. Which? asked more than 4,000 members for their views on UK services, rating categories such as prices in food/retail outlets, shops, food and drink selection, facilities, cleanliness, convenience and accessibility and outside space Gloucester services, part of the Westmorland Family group, received five stars in almost every category with a customer score of 85 per cent. They were closely followed by Tebay M6 services in Cumbria, another Westmorland offering, while Cairn Lodge on the M74 in Lanarkshire came third. It was only due to high prices where they lost stars. Rugby's Moto Services also fared well, with four stars across almost every category. One customer said: 'Rugby is new and clean and on a nice day is perfect to break up your journey'. At the other end of the scale, Moto's Bridgwater Services on the M5 came last. It scored 23 per cent and scored one star in all categories. Reviewers said facilities were cramped, overpriced facilities and the toilets 'smelt of stale urine'. Other entries at the bottom of the table were Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire, Lancaster and Hilton Park in Staffordshire. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Nutella is launching a new spread — and it's better than the original MORE: 10 unmissable Time Out deals — including 50% off entry to London's secret gardens MORE: Cheap £2.49 supermarket sausages officially crowned better than M&S and Jolly Hog
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Peppa Pig toymaker slashes dividend as Trump tariffs squeeze sales
Character Group slashed its interim dividend on Friday as it warned investors uncertainty over the direction of US tariffs has impacted sales in 'all [its] key territories'. The British toymaker, which manufactures Teletubbies toys and the largest range of Peppa Pig products, was forced to withdraw full-year profit guidance last month in the wake of Trump's 'liberation day' tariff announcements. The New Malden-based group counts the UK and Scandinavia as its key markets, but US sales made up about 20 per cent of turnover last year. It also mainly outsources its production operations to China in order to maintain competitive pricing. Character saw revenues slip 8 per cent in the six months to 28 February to £53million, which it said reflected 'harsh trading conditions experienced in the lead up to and through the all-important Christmas period '. However, it managed to boost gross margins to deliver a first half profit before tax and highlighted items of £2.1million, in line with the same time last year. But Character declared an interim dividend of 3p per share, down from 8p at the same stage last year, and compared to a final dividend of 11p per share for 2024. It said that while the recently announced 90-day reduction in tariffs between the US and China 'gives hope for a negotiated resolution', uncertainty remains. The group added: 'The uncertainty flowing from the imposition of these tariffs has been felt in other parts of the world as customers have become increasingly cautious and are not committing to orders to our expectations. 'This is impacting sales in all our key territories. Despite this, the board remains confident that the group will be profitable in the current financial year as a whole, although it is too early to forecast short to medium term trading at this juncture.' Character also pointed to its strong balance sheet, which included no long term debt, cash and cash equivalents of £16million, and unutilised headroom of over £50m under its banking and other finance facilities. Character Group shares sank 5 per cent to 242p in early trading. They are down by 11.7 per cent since the start of 2025. It said: 'The group's performance in maintaining profits and cash flow in the first half year period reflects the strength, depth and quality of our current portfolio of products. 'Overall, despite the harsh trading conditions experienced in the lead up to and through the all-important Christmas period, the group's performance is testimony to the management's ability to read the market and produce and distribute products that capture the imagination of, and enable quality play by, the children that ultimately determine the success or failure of toy products.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WILDBRAIN REPORTS Q3 2025 RESULTS
Q3 Operational Highlights Strong growth in Global Licensing with a 44% year-over-year increase, driven by our premium franchises Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies across multiple categories and territories. Alongside the growth in owned IP, we reported strong growth in animation and live action production, continued momentum in free cash flow generation and a reduction in leverage to 4.4x. Proceeding with the strategic goal of focusing and simplifying business with definitive agreement to sell the Company's television broadcast business. Q3 Financial Highlights1 Revenue from continuing operations was $128.4 million, up 42% year over year. Revenue including discontinued operations of $140.1 million, up 40% year over year. Net loss from continuing operations was $10.8 million, compared with net loss of $16.4 million in Q3 2024. Net loss including discontinued operations was $13.8 million, compared with net loss of $14.7 million in Q3 2024. Adjusted EBITDA2 from continuing operations was $15.9 million, up 18% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA including discontinued operations of $26.1 million, up 33% year over year. Cash provided by operating activities was $47.3 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $23.3 million in Q3 2024. Free Cash Flow3 was positive $12.7 million, compared to negative $2.9 million in Q3 2024. Year to date, Free Cash Flow was positive $66.8 million, compared to negative $22.9 million in the prior year period. TORONTO, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - WildBrain Ltd. ("WildBrain" or the "Company") (TSX: WILD), a global leader in kids' and family entertainment, today reported its third quarter ("Q3 2025") results for the period ended March 31, 2025. Josh Scherba, WildBrain President and CEO, said: "In the third quarter, we continued to see strong growth in our Global Licensing business for Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies as well as for our in-house licensing agency. Our global Peanuts partnership with Starbucks was a particularly bright spot, with record-breaking social engagement and merchandise selling out in the first week in the majority of markets, reflecting the broad appeal of the brand around the world. We also returned to growth in our Content Creation business, with production on a new teen live-action series for Netflix, as well as the Peanuts feature film for Apple TV+. This growth is a testament to the strength of our brands and our focused, 360-degree capabilities across Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing. "As announced in the quarter, we continue to advance our TV transaction with IoM, as we renegotiate certain commercial terms of the agreement. The transaction reflects our ongoing commitment to simplifying our business and focusing on key franchises and strong-growth areas with the greatest return for shareholders." Nick Gawne, WildBrain CFO, added: "We are pleased to report continued sustained strength in our owned brands this quarter, which reflects the company's deliberate focus on our key franchises. This is accompanied, as we expected, by improved working capital cycles, which, coupled with better capital allocation decisions, has driven continued free cash flow generation despite the increase in our finance costs. This combination creates a strong platform for WildBrain's continued success." Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook The Company reaffirms its previously announced outlook for Fiscal Year 2025. We expect: Revenue growth including discontinued operations of approximately 10 to 15% and Adjusted EBITDA growth including discontinued operations of approximately 5 to 10%. We note that the close date of the WildBrain Television sale could have a material impact on our outlook. We continue to see strong underlying growth in our continuing operations in Global Licensing, AVOD, FAST and Media Solutions, as well as a return to growth in content production. Q3 2025 Financial Highlights EBITDA Reconciliation (in millions of Cdn$) Three Months Ended March 31,2025 20242025 20242025 2024 Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsWildBrain TelevisionConsolidated ResultsIncluding DiscontinuedOperations Revenue $128.4 $90.4$11.8 $9.7$140.1 $100.1Cost of Sale $(76.9) $(47.2)$(0.4) $(2.3)$(77.3) $(49.5)Gross Margin $51.4 $43.2$11.4 $7.4$62.9 $50.5SG&A $(26.6) $(23.8)$(1.3) $(1.3)$(27.9) $(25.1)Adjusted EBITDA $24.8 $19.3$10.2 $6.1$35.0 $25.4 Portion of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NCI $(8.9) $(5.8)$— $—$(8.9) $(5.8) Adjusted EBITDA attributable to WildBrain $15.9 $13.5$10.2 $6.1$26.1 $19.6 Q3 2025 Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations1 In Q3 2025, revenue increased 42% to $128.4 million, compared to $90.4 million in Q3 2024. Global Licensing revenue increased 44% to $71.4 million in Q3 2025, compared to $49.6 million in Q3 2024. Revenue in the quarter was driven by strong growth in Peanuts, growth within our global licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, as well as strong growth in WildBrain's owned brands Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies. Global Licensing growth reflects management's actions to focus the business on higher growth opportunities, leveraging our platform to drive greater engagement which drives consumer demand and revenue. Content Creation and Audience Engagement revenue increased 40% to $57.0 million in Q3 2025, compared to $40.8 million in Q3 2024. Revenue in the quarter grew strongly with both the Peanuts feature and live action production ramping up. Gross margin for Q3 2025 was 40%, compared to gross margin of 48% in Q3 2024. Gross margin for Q3 2025 was $51.4 million, an increase of $8.3 million, compared to $43.2 million for Q3 2024. Cash provided by operating activities in Q3 2025 was $47.3 million, compared to $23.3 million cash provided by operating activities in Q3 2024. Free Cash Flow was positive $12.7 million in Q3 2025, compared with Free Cash Flow of negative $2.9 million in Q3 2024. Year to date, Free Cash Flow was positive $66.8 million, compared to negative $22.9 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to $15.9 million in Q3 2025, compared with $13.5 million in Q3 2024. Q3 2025 net loss was $10.8 million, compared to net loss of $16.4 million in Q3 2024. Leverage in Q3 2025 was 4.4x, a reduction from 5.3x in Q2 2025. 1. The Company has classified the Canadian Television Broadcast business unit ("WildBrain Television") as held for sale in the quarter, and accordingly, has presented the historical results of the business unit as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5: Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. 2. Free Cash Flow, Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA attributable to WildBrain are non-GAAP financial measures - see below for further details. 3. Free Cash Flow includes discontinued operations. Q3 2025 Conference Call The Company will hold a conference call on May 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results. To immediately join the call by phone on that date without operator assistance, please use the following URL to receive a toll-free automated instant call back connecting you into the conference: Alternatively, you may dial direct to be entered into the call by an operator, referencing conference ID 42922 at +1 (888) 699-1199 in North America or +1 (416) 945-7677 internationally. If dialing in, please allow 10 minutes to be connected to the conference call. Replay will be available after the call on +1 (888) 660-6345 or +1 (289) 819-1450, under passcode 42922#, until May 22, 2025. The audio and transcript will also be archived on our website approximately three business days following the event. For more information, please contact: Investor Relations: Kathleen Persaud - VP, Investor Relations, +1 212-405-6089 Media: Shaun Smith - Sr. Director, Global Communications & Public Relations, +1 416-977-7230 About WildBrain At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° franchise management, we are experts in content creation, audience engagement and global licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands around the world. With approximately 14,000 half-hours of kids' and family content in our library—one of the world's most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain's mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart. Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Camp Snoopy; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Sonic Prime; Chip and Potato; Teletubbies Let's Go! and many more. Enjoyed on platforms worldwide, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered over 1.5 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada's most-loved family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide. WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects WildBrain's current assumptions and expectations regarding future events as at the time they are made. The words "will", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond WildBrain's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: changes in general economic, business and political conditions. WildBrain undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Non-IFRS Measures In addition to the results reported in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, the Company uses various non-GAAP financial measures, which are not recognized under IFRS, as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user's understanding of our historical and current financial performance and our prospects for the future. Management believes that these measures provide useful information in that they exclude amounts that are not indicative of our core operating results and ongoing operations and provide a consistent basis for comparison between periods. The following discussion explains the Company's use of certain non-GAAP financial measures, which are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Shareholders of the Company, Gross Margin and Free Cash Flow. Investors are cautioned that these non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an alternative measure to net income or loss, or other measures as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of the Company's financial performance or a measure of liquidity and cash flows. "Adjusted EBITDA" means earnings (loss) before net finance costs, income taxes, amortization of property & equipment and right-of-use and intangible assets, amortization of acquired and library content, equity-settled share-based compensation expense, changes in fair value of embedded derivatives, gain/loss on foreign exchange, reorganization, development and other expenses, impairment of certain investments in film and television programs/acquired and library content/P&E/intangible assets/goodwill, and also includes adjustments for other identified charges, as specified in the accompanying tables. Adjusted EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes that certain lenders, investors and analysts use Adjusted EBITDA to measure a company's ability to service debt and meet other payment obligations, and as a common valuation measurement in the media and entertainment industry. Further, certain of our debt covenants use Adjusted EBITDA in the calculation. The most comparable GAAP measure is earnings before income taxes. "Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Shareholders of the Company" means Adjusted EBITDA excluding the portion of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests. "Gross Margin" means revenue less direct production costs and expense of film and television produced. Gross Margin is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Gross Margin may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes Gross Margin is a useful measure of profitability before considering operating and other expenses and can be used to assess the Company's ability to generate positive net earnings and cash flows. The most comparable GAAP measure is gross profit. "Free Cash Flow" means operating cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interests, changes in interim production financing, cash interest paid on our long-term debt, bank indebtedness, and lease liabilities, and principal repayments on our lease liabilities. Free Cash Flow does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes Free Cash Flow is a useful measure of the Company's ability to repay debt, finance strategic business acquisitions and investments, pay dividends, and repurchase shares. The most comparable GAAP measure is cash from operating activities. 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