Cartoon Network, Boomerang crawl on to Lucas the Spider

Fresh TV's animated show, adapted from a popular YouTube series, has been picked up by the two WarnerMedia broadcasters in a worldwide deal.

Cartoon Network and Boomerang have picked up the global broadcast rights for animated series Lucas the Spider from Toronto producer Fresh TV.

The longer-form CGI-animated series is based on a viral YouTube hit, which was acquired by Fresh TV in 2018. It is produced in association with Toronto-based WexWorks Media, with U.K.’s CAKE handling international distribution.

Originally created by Pixar animator Joshua Slice, Lucas the Spider follows the adventures of a twee spider as he and his friends try to navigate the big world around them. The new 78 x seven-minute series will introduce longer narratives than the YouTube series, as well as new characters and an expanded universe.

CAKE secured the broadcast deal, but it’s not the first time Fresh TV, Cartoon Network and the distributor have worked together. The three companies also partnered on Total Dramarama, the spin-off of the 2007 show Total Drama Island. Cartoon Network U.S. and Corus Entertainment’s Teletoon renewed Total Dramarama for a second season this time last year.