The company behind the beloved CBeebies series Bing has announced a series of new publishing deals, as well as Bing‘s debut at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
These new partnerships across the UK and Italy mark a significant expansion for Bing’s presence in the audio and publishing space, offering young audiences more opportunities to experience their favourite character beyond the screen.
Acamar Films has secured three exciting new partnerships to bring Bing stories to life across multiple formats, perfect for pre-schoolers and their families:
- Little Brother Books: Bing fans in the UK can now enjoy a new vibrant 2025 annual in board book format with an easy cut-out carry handle (perfect for little hands), packed with fun learning activities focused on ABCs and 123s. Available at retail from September 2024, this annual is designed to engage pre-schoolers through playful learning.
- Voxblocks: In November 2024, the first Voxblocks Bing audiobook will launch in the UK with Bing’s Playtime Stories and Songs collection, offering a screen-free, easy-to-use audiobook experience.
- Faba: From October 2024, young Italian audiences can enjoy Bing audio stories through a new partnership with Faba. Un Giorno con Bing features six stories and two songs that take children on an audio journey through Bing’s day. Coming in Spring 2025, Buonanotte Bing will offer bedtime stories along with a soothing soundtrack, perfect for helping little ones wind down for sleep.
For the very first time, Bing will feature at the prestigious Cheltenham Literature Festival (4-13 October). Throughout the event, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Bing‘s master publishing partner, is hosting a Bing character activity trail in the Wild Woods area. This activity invites families to explore and engage with Bing‘s world, bringing the character to life beyond the page.
On 12 October, Bing’s Festival Playtime, a ticketed event at The Hive, will feature professional storyteller Lucy Walters leading an interactive storytelling session of The Leaf Hunt, the newest Bing picture book from HarperCollins Children’s Books. The sold-out event will also include fun-filled games, sing-a-longs and a special meet and greet with Bing, with every child also given their own pair of Bing ears to take home. The following day, on 13 October, free storytelling and meet-and-greet sessions will be held at The Storyshack, offering even more children the chance to engage with Bing. Lucy will also be in the Waterstones Children’s Bookshop at intervals throughout the weekend to meet Bingsters looking for their next read.
We’re delighted to welcome new publishing partners as we continue to expand Bing’s off-screen presence. It’s also wonderful to debut Bing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, in partnership with HarperCollins Children’s Books, featuring a host of interactive events that bring Bing to life and create lasting memories for Bingsters and their families. Our aim has always been to enrich children’s lives with meaningful content, and these new partnerships and activities help us do just that.
Heather Crossley, Director of Publishing at Acamar Films
These new deals and event presence come on the heels of a successful summer for Bing publishing, highlighted by CBeebies storytelling events at Gloworm and Bestival and releases from HarperCollins Children’s Books. The Brush with Bing book encourages young readers to take care of their dental health while following along with the new Toothbrushing Song, now streaming on YouTube. Additionally, Collins launched the Play and Learn with Bing write-in activity book series, supporting children in their first steps of learning through fun and colourful activities. Both launches were backed by extensive digital marketing campaigns, reaching families across the UK.
