Boat Rocker Brands and U.K.-based agency Brands with Influence (BWI) have appointed Haven Licensing to represent tween series The Next Step in Australia and New Zealand. The series—which was recently started production on its fifth season—has found success on both ABC Australia and Disney Channel Oz.

Set in Toronto, The Next Step is a mockumentary-style drama that follows the exploits of the dancers at Next Step Dance Studio as they prepare for competitions. The series is produced by Radical Sheep, a division of Boat Rocker Media, in association with DHX-owned Family Channel. Boat Rocker Media acquired Radical Sheep in March. Prior to that, The Next Step was produced by Boat Rocker Studio’s Temple Street Productions.

The show is executive produced by creator Frank van Keeken, Ivan Scheenberg and David Fortier. BBC Worldwide acquired the show’s international distribution rights.

With a licensing program targeting girls age five to eight, The Next Step has number of licensees in the U.K., including Sainsbury’s (fashion), Igloo Books and Danilo Calendars (publishing), as well as a new magazine from Signature Publishing.

From Kidscreen