All-New Fourth Season Of Ludorum's Popular Chuggington™ Series To Premiere On Disney Junior -- October 20, 2013

LONDON, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In control and ready to roll! Ludorum plc announced today that its hit train-based preschool series, Chuggington^™, will make its stateside Season 4 debut on the 24-hour Disney Junior channel, Sunday, October 20, 2013 (7:00pm, ET/PT), with the first-ever primetime Chuggington special, Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue! The latest season of the vibrantly-colorful animated series that has been a "honk-honking" hit with children around the world will deliver even more action and adventure with everyone's favorite trainees – Wilson, Brewster and Koko – along with exciting new characters and locations.

"Season 4 will give young fans and their families even more to love about Chuggington," said Maureen Taxter, SVP Ludorum. "The new season perfectly blends the rich storytelling and positive messages for preschoolers that the popular series is known for with exciting new elements and an added dose of adventure-filled fun, starting with the energetic primetime special."

The traintastic new half-hour special follows trainee Wilson, as he becomes a member of Chug Patrol, Chuggington's rescue squad, under the watchful eye of his new mentor, Jackman, Chief of Chug Patrol, who makes his Chuggington debut in the special episode. Wilson's training has only just begun when he is put to the test – Koko is trapped in Rocky Ridge Mine and it's up to Wilson to rescue his friend and save the day!

Just following the premiere of the special, additional high-speed episodes will roll out through the fall and into spring 2014 with new characters, Hanzo and Zack, along with Jackman, and new locations for viewers to explore, including the Drop and Load Yard, the Working Wheels Service Yard and the Chug Patrol Headquarters.

Helping to mark the start of Season 4 is the newly-released interactive 3D Chuggington storybook app, Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue. The debut app lets young fans relive the adventures of the upcoming TV special and join in on all the action for themselves, as they complete challenges alongside the trainees and earn Chug Patrol badges along the way. The Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue app was produced in collaboration with award-winning digital book developer, StoryToys, based in Dublin, Ireland.

In addition, the newest Chuggington release in the preschool-favorite DVD series from Anchor Bay Entertainment, which shares the title, "Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue," features six action-packed episodes, including the super-sized special to further extend the fun all the way down the tracks.

Chuggington airs daily on Disney Junior at 7:30am and 1:30pm with additional airings throughout the day and evening.

Chuggington has become a global sensation since its debut in September 2008 in the U.K. The show has been licensed to more than 175 territories worldwide and has established ratings records in several key international markets, including the U.K., Germany, France and Australia. The series made its stateside debut in January 2010.

About Chuggington^™
Chuggington is a contemporary, action based, energetic and vibrant CGI series for children ages 2-5. The series follows the adventures of three young trainees – Wilson and his friends Brewster and Koko – as they ride the rails and take on exciting challenges that test their courage, speed and determination. Along the way, and with help and support from a strong community of engines and people, they learn positive values and new skills empowering them to become the best trainees they can be. The series reinforces children's social and emotional development by promoting positive values such as honesty, patience, loyalty, teamwork and friendship. Chuggington is directed by Sarah Ball, who won a BAFTA award for her work as a director and writer of Bob the Builder^™. Further information is available at www.chuggington.com.

To read what parents are saying about Chuggington, please visit www.facebook.com/chuggington or www.twitter.com/chuggington.

About Ludorum plc
Ludorum is a global IP company dedicated to developing quality entertainment properties for television, interactive and new media. Ludorum is the creator of Chuggington, a CGI-animated television series for preschoolers that airs in over 178 countries and has been translated into 27 languages. Ludorum was formed in 2006 and has offices in London and New York. For more information about Ludorum please visit: www.ludorum.com

SOURCE Ludorum plc