'Secret Saturdays' News: Books, Apparel, Toys & Videogames

Saturdays will be busy this summer. And if not, then fans of the boys' adventure animation The Secret Saturdays certainly will be. As Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) looks to gain ground in the global licensing community after a promising 2008 fiscal year, one of the titles to most benefit from the group's energy is the Jay Stephens-created sci-fi/fantasy concept. An animated television series about a family of scientists who trek the globe in search of strange, curious, and sometimes bizarre animal creatures, The Secret Saturdays is a creative success; and in the 2009-year, should prove to be a commercial success as well.

Only on Cartoon Network's airwaves as recent as this past fall season, The Secret Saturdays already has an army of consumer product licenses at its disposal; namely, a reputable master toy licensee [A.I. News: "Mattel, Inc. Joins The Saturdays" (12/2008)] and a graphic novel/publishing partner [A.I. News: "Secret Sats. Graphic Novels on the Way" (05/2009)].

Now, with the summer season in full swing, and animators at PorchLight Entertainment toiling away on new episodes, Cartoon Network Enterprises continues to make the case for The Secret Saturdays as the next big thing for young male audiences and consumers. From videogames to role-play toys, and from branded apparel to chapter books, no Kur stone will be left unturned this summer/fall when it comes to Secret Saturdays merchandise.

"There is a great deal of excitement and anticipation surrounding the retail launch of The Secret Saturdays this summer," Christina Miller, vice president, CNE, commented. "Our strategy for the brand was to create an immersive program that gives fans the true Saturdays' experience to battle, collect, and discover -- and with the partners we have on board, we have done just that."

First up this summer is Mattel, Inc., who signed on toward the end of last year as key toy licensee for the property. From Mattel, who promises an array of action figure and playsets still yet to be unveiled, are three items scheduled for release on July 1, 2009: The Cryptid Claw ($19.99), a life-sized 24-inch replica of Zak Saturday's extension weapon; the Fire Sward ($14.99), a 24-inch replica of Drew's mystical blade of fire; and The Secret Saturdays Cryptidpedia ($24.99), a series accessory promising "cryptozoology for kids," and features interactive factoids, a tracking devoice, and audio. Each of these products holds the recommended age of four to ten-years-old. Six-inch and four-inch tall action figures of the Saturdays family and a host of cryptid beasts (Zon, Naga, Amarok, &c.), are expected to follow soon -- priced at $8.99/$4.99.

Next up are more traditional licenses, such as apparel and home video. Hybrid Tees, whom also licenses for animated properties such as Nerd Corps.'s Storm Hawks and various Disney items, has come on board for The Secret Saturdays. The t-shirt group will draft a line of boys shirts and sweatshirts based on the animated program, featuring the series' main characters as well as main cryptids. The apparel from Hybrid Tees is currently scheduled for release by Holiday 2009, across all retail tiers.

Sooner than this however, Warner Home Video plans to release the first DVD volume of The Secret Saturdays. Come late July 2009. Currently scheduled for July 21, 2009; the first DVD volume of the action and adventure cartoon will hit store shelves for a rather affordable price ($14.98), toting five episodes of the TV series. Bonus features will include deleted scenes, a photo gallery, a cryptid catalogue, and animatics. The DVD will have a theatrical, letterbox aspect ratio.