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| (Image Source: Variety/Warner Bros. Discovery/Mattel Inc.) |
Mattel Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Barney, Mattel’s iconic purple dinosaur, will return to television screens for the first time in 14 years with Barney’s World, a new animated series featuring original music and updated takes on Barney classics. The new series is slated to premiere on October 14, 2024 first and exclusive on MAX followed by a linear premiere on Cartoon Network four days later. The show will also be available on Cartoonito in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia Pacific) and Discovery Kids in Latin America (LATAM) within the month of October as well. Meanwhile, select episodes of Barney’s World will be available on YouTube where the first episode will debut early on October 11 in specific countries.
The new Barney’s World is set in a playground where Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends David, Mel, and Vivie. Through action-packed and music-filled adventures together, Barney helps the kids and audiences explore big preschool emotions, showing them how to love themselves, others, and their communities. Originally launched in 1988, Barney quickly became a global sensation, captivating audiences with the friendly dinosaur and his larger-than-life personality. The Barney & Friends series aired on top broadcasters globally including 14 seasons on PBS in the United States with its final episode aired on November 2, 2010. While Barney’s World was developed for preschoolers, viewers of all ages will feel nostalgic singing along with Barney and his friends again. Today’s parents, many of whom grew up with the lovable dinosaur, can now create memories with their own children as they experience this new take on a beloved classic.
Barney’s World premieres with fifty-two (52) eleven-minute episodes featuring familiar faces and new characters alike, including:
• Jonathan Langdon (ZOMBIES) as Barney: A singing and dancing purple dinosaur who embodies love, Barney is a great listener who helps his friends work through challenges in a way that is caring to themselves and others.
• Bryn McAuley (Hotel Transylvania: The Series) as Baby Bop: A charming and opinionated dinosaur who is an advocate for all feelings, no matter how big or small.
• Jonathan Tan (Rubble & Crew) as Billy: An energetic dino who loves action and loud sounds. With a strong sense of self awareness, Billy encourages kids to express their feelings and care for themselves.
• Jayd Deroché (Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures) as David: An empathetic, self-aware, and caring kid, David loves giving big hugs and has an infectious laugh that he shares with his friends, older brother, and younger sister.
• Diana Tsoy (CoComelon Lane) as Mel: Mel is active, competitive, and always up for a challenge. She is multiracial from Korean and Mexican heritage, speaks three languages, and loves to share her culture with her friends.
• Ella Paciocco (Vocal Star) as Vivie: Vivie is wildly creative and loves to paint and perform. She lives with her Nonna, and together they enjoy cooking, sharing Italian traditions, and caring for their friends and family.
“The goal of Mattel Television Studios is to develop and distribute episodic and long-form content that expands Mattel’s characters and storylines across linear and streaming platforms worldwide. Barney nurtures the power of love in all of us, and we are thrilled to bring him back to fans all around the world. We hope this modern revival leaves an impression on young audiences, imparting lessons that will positively influence them as they grow up," said Mattel Chief Franchise Officer Josh Silverman. “We are thrilled to partner with Mattel to bring a fresh, imaginative new take on Barney that resonates with today’s preschoolers and their families around the world. This new animated series aims to blend nostalgia with modern storytelling, ensuring that the world’s beloved purple dinosaur continues to inspire, educate, and delight young audiences," said Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and International Channels General Manager for Kids Vanessa Brookman.
Barney’s World is co-produced by Mattel Television Studios and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana with Michelle Mendelovitz and Josh Silverman for Mattel and Athena Georgaklis, Doug Murphy, Mellany Welsh, and Pam Westman for Nelvana as executive producers. For more exciting updates on Barney's World and more Barney, visit and follow @barneythedinosaur on TikTok and Instagram and @Barney on YouTube.
