Dino Ranch: Island Explorers Spin-Off Greenlit by Boat Rocker, CBC, and Warner Bros. Discovery
Toronto — Toronto-based entertainment powerhouse Boat Rocker has greenlit a new adventure series for preschool audiences: Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, a spin-off of its popular animated show Dino Ranch. The new series will air in 2026, with CBC/Radio-Canada as its Canadian broadcast partner and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Cartoonito as the distributor across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Set to deliver 52 eleven-minute episodes, Dino Ranch: Island Explorers promises an exciting departure from the Cassidy Clan’s usual cowboy life on the ranch. This time, the family heads to the exotic Dino Island, home to unique dinosaur species, giant insects, and prehistoric amphibians. The spin-off invites viewers to join siblings Jon, Min, Miguel, and their trusty dinosaur companions as they journey through jungles, encounter volcanoes, and explore the depths of an underwater world.
“We’re thrilled to be producing Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, a premium spin-off that builds on Dino Ranch’s global success,” said Jon Rutherford, President of Global Rights, Franchise, and Content Strategy at Boat Rocker Studios. He noted that this spin-off reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to expand the Dino Ranch brand worldwide through content sales and licensing opportunities, including consumer products.
Marie McCann, Senior Director of Children’s Content at CBC Kids, expressed excitement about the spin-off, noting that it would captivate young viewers. “We know kids have dino-sized imaginations and will be inspired by the jaw-dropping underwater world created by Matt Fernandes and his team,” McCann said.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Zia Sands, Director of Content Acquisitions for Kids, EMEA, also highlighted Dino Ranch: Island Explorers’ appeal, saying, “Cartoonito provides a safe and trusted space for pre-schoolers and their families to engage with the characters they love. This new spin-off series aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering positive, engaging stories for young audiences.”
Since its debut, Dino Ranch has gained popularity in more than 170 countries, available in 15 languages. It airs globally on networks such as Disney Junior and Disney+ in the U.S., Tiny Pop in the UK, Gulli in France, and Cartoonito in Italy, along with its Canadian platform on CBC and Radio-Canada networks. Boat Rocker has developed an extensive licensing program for the brand, covering areas like apparel and publishing.
The original Dino Ranch series, created by Matt Fernandes of Industrial Brothers and produced in collaboration with Boat Rocker, has garnered a devoted following among young viewers worldwide. The production of Dino Ranch: Island Explorers will continue this partnership, with Jam Filled Entertainment providing animation services.
With a content-first strategy, Boat Rocker is also currently working on other high-profile projects, including Bet for Netflix and the international co-productions Video Nasty for BBC3 and Mix Tape for Foxtel’s Binge.
For additional details on Dino Ranch: Island Explorers and other Boat Rocker productions, visit www.boatrocker.com.
