YOUTUBE ORIGINALS KIDS & FAMILY PARTNERS WITH MOONBUG ON NEW ANIMATED SERIES "SUPA STRIKAS: ROOKIE SEASON" IN COLLABORATION WITH UNICEF: PREMIERING DECEMBER 3 ON THE OFFICIAL SUPA STRIKAS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

LOS ANGELES, CA, November 23, 2021 -- YouTube Originals today announced its collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment in partnership with UNICEF for the premiere of "Supa Strikas: Rookie Season" out of the UK, along with the release of the official trailer. "Supa Strikas: Rookie Season" is the prequel to the global, hit soccer animated series, "Supa Strikas." "Supa Strikas: Rookie Season," consists of 12 episodes with the first six launching December 3 on the official THE SUPA STRIKAS YOUTUBE CHANNEL and the YouTube Kids app. The six remaining episodes will roll out in early 2022 and will also be available then in Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, German and Russian catering to the brand's global audience.

"Supa Strikas: Rookie Season" is the original story of star striker, Shakes, and how he made it to the world's greatest soccer team, the Supa Strikas! This prequel series that has its roots with a comic book classic launched in South Africa in 2001, uncovers some earth-shattering revelations for fans including the mystery of Shakes' missing father and how his biggest on-field nemesis was once his best friend.

"Who better to partner with on this project than kids production powerhouse Moonbug and the world-renowned children's organization UNICEF - both align with our shared values of putting kids and their well-being first," said Nadine Zylstra, Head of Family, Learning and Impact for YouTube Originals. "We are looking forward to delivering this inspirational prequel to the popular 'Supa Strikas' series to the global fans that have been waiting for it."

"UNICEF is excited to work in collaboration with this much-loved children's series, which creatively originated in Southern Africa and has then travelled the world," said UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Mohamed M. Fall. "As we mark UNICEF's 75th anniversary next month, the partnership around 'Supa Strikas' is another timely opportunity to engage with children and their parents on positive messaging in helping to re-imagine a world with more fairness, equal opportunities, respect for diversity and team spirit."

"YouTube is a key partner for us at Moonbug. 100s of millions of kids watch our shows on the YouTube platform every single day. And UNICEF, of course as a force for good in millions of kids' lives globally," said Andy Yeatman, Head of Americas at Moonbug. "We are thrilled to be partnering with both to bring our audience one step closer to the 'Supa Strikas' origin-story."

Rookie Season is the kick-off of a closer collaboration between UNICEF and Moonbug Entertainment to develop storylines aligned to the well-being of children as well as fairness, diversity and healthier living, in an entertaining and engaging show that aims to teach school age kids (ages 6-12) about the importance of perseverance and following your dreams.

With December 11 marking the 75th anniversary of UNICEF and over seven decades of working for the rights and well-being of all children - the most vulnerable especially - the series pays tribute to the collective accomplishments and continued push around the rights of children by placing the UNICEF logo on the Supa Strikas match day kit.

"Supa Strikas: Rookie Season" is produced by Moonbug Entertainment. Susanne Daniels is Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. Nadine Zylstra serves as Head of Family, Learning and Impact for YouTube Originals. Craig Hunter as Global Head of Preschool, is the creative lead on "Supa Strikas: Rookie Season" for YouTube Originals.

About YouTube Kids & Family Originals:

"Supa Strikas Rookie Season" is the latest series from an expanding roster of YouTube Originals focused on kids and family, including the award-winning "Lockdown," and recent hits such as "Onyx Family Dinner," "BookTube Jr.," "Get Curious with Vice President Harris," "Growing with Lottie Dottie," "The Workout Badges," "Kid Correspondent," "Break the Record," "Super Sema," Pinkfong Wonderstar," "Sherwood," "We Are Savvy," "Hyperlinked," "Fruit Ninja Frenzy Force, "Kings of Atlantis" and "DanTDM Creates A Big Scene." Shows on the YouTube Originals for Kids & Family channel can be found here.

About YouTube Originals:

YouTube Originals are award-winning series, specials and livestream events for YouTube's two billion active monthly users that entertain, inspire, connect, and educate audiences through authentic storytelling from YouTube creators, music artists and celebrities. By tapping into the platform's growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content, YouTube Originals amplify the most popular and unique aspects of YouTube. Fans can experience YouTube Originals content for free through the standard YouTube platform (ad-supported), or through a paid subscription to YouTube Premium, which adds ad-free, bonus/exclusive content, and early binge access to select programming. YouTube Originals are available in over 100 countries worldwide. Keep up with the latest YouTube news by visiting the global platform's official blog at https://blog.youtube/.

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Follow UNICEF in Africa on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram To donate to UNICEF's work, please visit https://donate.unicef.org/donate/now

ABOUT MOONBUG ENTERTAINMENT

Moonbug Entertainment is an award-winning global entertainment company responsible for some of the most popular kids' titles in the world. Moonbug's lineup includes global sensations CoComelon, Blippi, Little Baby Bum, My Magic Pet Morphle, Supa Strikas, Go Buster, Playtime with Twinkle, Gecko's Garage, ARPO and many more. Moonbug titles are available across 27 languages. In just three years, it has become a kids programming powerhouse with a library of more than 550 hours of content, which is distributed on more than 100 platforms globally, including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Sky, Tencent, Youku and Roku. In May of 2020, Tubular Labs named Moonbug one of the leading digital kids' entertainment companies in the world based on the total number of minutes watched worldwide