Nickelodeon Acquires International Rights To CGI Animated Series, ‘The Marsupilamis'

Paramount’s Nickelodeon has acquired the rights to the CGI animated series The Marsupilamis, a fresh take on the beloved kids brand, for markets outside of the U.S.

“This fresh take on the iconic character, created over 70 years ago by Belgian author André Franquin, brings the legendary Marsupilami from the wild Palombian jungle into the heart of the city,” said Nickelodeon, which is part of Paramount, now owned by Skydance.

The 52 episodes of 11 minutes are produced by Ellipse Animation and Belvision.

“Slated to launch in 2026, the comedic, action-packed new series follows twins Jade and Mica who find their world turned upside down when their explorer parents entrust them with three mysterious Marsupilami eggs,” according to a plot description. “Once they hatch, the siblings must get creative to keep their new friends hidden – after all, no one knows these energetic creatures exist, and predators could be lurking around every corner.”

The series is directed by Célestine Jacquel-Plays (Grizzy and the Lemmings). Andrew Barnett Jones and Ciaran Murtagh (The Amazing World of Gumball) served as head writers, with Guilhem Deckers (Minions 2) being the artistic director.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ellipse and to introduce The Marsupilamis to our Nickelodeon audiences,” said l Layla Lewis, senior vp, global acquisitions and content partnerships, at Nickelodeon. “This fresh take on a beloved character brings a vibrant mix of humor, heart, and adventure that makes it an excellent addition to our slate”

Caroline Duvochel, head of audiovisual & innovation at Média-Participations and managing director of Ellipse Animation, added: “We are thrilled to finally present The Marsupilamis, with our best talents bringing a new take on the most iconic IP of our portfolio. An ambitious and unique branding strategy unites all entities within the Média Participations group, placing The Marsupilamis at the forefront of our creative efforts. Collaborating with the top-tier Paramount team is a true delight, enhancing the global reach and impact of our beloved character.” 

Catfish: The TV Show Currently Seen On MTV And eReality Has Been Cancelled After 9 Seasons

“Catfish: The TV Show” is dead in the water.

The reality show that investigated deceptive online relationships has been canceled at MTV after nine seasons. The network is allowing the producers to shop the series elsewhere.

Hosted by Nev Schulman, “Catfish” helped people discover the truth about their suspicious digital romances — and sometimes come to terms with the person on the other side of the computer screen. The series is based on Schulman’s 2010 documentary of the same name, which coined the term “catfish” for someone who uses a false identity or stolen photos to deceive others on the internet.

Developed by Schulman, Ariel Schulman and Max Joseph, “Catfish: The TV Show” debuted in 2012 on MTV and ended with Season 9 in July 2024. Nev Schulman and Joseph co-hosted the show for its first seven seasons. In 2018, Joseph was replaced by a rotating list of presenters, including Elle King, Nick Young and Machine Gun Kelly. Eventually, Kamie Crawford joined as a permanent host, joining Schulman for 96 episodes.

“Catfish” not only gave a name to the phenomenon of digital deception. The series also spawned international spinoffs in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Its legacy continues on-screen: a recent episode of “The Paper” centered on an employee being catfished by someone impersonating a celebrity, and the current No. 1 documentary on Netflix is titled “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.”

Since the end of Season 9, the status of “Catfish: The TV Show” was up in the air, as it had not received a renewal or cancellation from MTV amid the restructuring of the Paramount merger. Last month, Schulman announced he had earned his real estate broker’s license and would be helping people buy and sell homes in New York.