Care Bears Are Making A Comeback, Will Return As A TV Series

[Brian Damage]

The Care Bears are getting the CGI-animated treatment in a new TV show aiming to launch next year, which has been designated the 30th anniversary of the launch of the children’s franchise.
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The Care Bears were created in 1981 by American Greetings for use in greeting cards and plush toys were released in 1983 when the creatures first appeared on TV. They were a successful toy, TV and pop-culture franchise throughout the decade.

The Care Bears are a community of colorful bears each with a unique “belly badge” to stress its personality -- a four leaf clover for Good Luck Bear, a storm cloud for Grumpy Bear, a shooting star for Wish Bear, etc. The Care Bears live in Care-a-lot, adjacent to the Forest of Feelings, and are looked after by their Star and Heart Buddies who act as guardian angels.

The franchise is managed by American Greetings Properties, which also handles such characters as Strawberry Shortcake, Holly Hobbie and Twisted Whiskers.

American Greetings didn’t say Wednesday where the new TV show might air, but The Hub Network might be a good bet, since it’s the home of several shows based on characters that are controlled by American Greetings. Plus, The Hub is co-owned by Hasbro, which is launching a new line of toys based on the Care Bears in 2013.

A spokesperson said a broadcast partner will be announced in the next two weeks.

American Greetings initiated a relaunch of the Care Bears a decade ago, and it said Wednesday that $2.6 billion in licensed products have been sold since 2002.

The most recent TV iteration of the franchise was Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot, which aired on CBS from 2007-2008.

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