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Sundance Channel acquires ‘Monkey Dust’ from FremantleMedia
MUMBAI: Sundance Channel has acquired the popular UK animated series Monkey Dust from Fremantle International Distribution (FID). The 18 part, half hour series is scheduled to premiere on the cable network in March 2006.
Monkey Dust is a cutting-edge animated comedy series that takes place in a nocturnal world where broad portions of British society are unmercifully lampooned. Story lines veer from examining the lives of normal city dwellers to the parody of some of the world’s most famous public figures.
“We’re always on the lookout for exciting new programming that distinguishes itself in the marketplace. Monkey Dust is a truly creative series that fits nicely into Sundance Channel’s eclectic mix of original and acquired series programming. Fremantle is a trailblasing company that has a diverse selection of captivating programming and we’re thrilled to be working with them,” said Sundance Channel executive vice president programming and marketing Laura Michalchyshyn.
“Our capacity to provide networks such as Sundance Channel with a wide range of creative programming truly demonstrates our dedication to giving international markets the best possible content for their individual audiences. We are confident that Sundance Channel’s American viewers will appreciate Monkey Dust’s unique style and humour,” said Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender.
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Lego brings Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Vinicius together
Campaign clocks 314 million views ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 buzz.
MUMBAI: Four legends, one frame and not a single tackle in sight. Lego has pulled off a crossover few thought possible, uniting Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in a single campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 only this time, they’re building dreams brick by brick.
Titled “Everyone wants a piece”, the campaign features the quartet assembling a Lego version of the World Cup trophy, before placing miniature versions of themselves atop it, a playful nod to football’s ultimate prize. Shared widely across social media, the ad carries a pointed disclaimer: it is not AI-generated, a subtle but telling signal in an era where even reality is often questioned.
The numbers tell their own story. The campaign has already crossed 314 million views on Instagram across the players’ accounts, with fans hailing it as a rare, almost nostalgic moment particularly for the reunion of Messi and Ronaldo, whose last shared campaign ahead of the 2022 World Cup became one of the platform’s most-liked posts.
Beyond the film, Lego is extending the play with exclusive, player-themed sets tied to each of the four stars, part of a broader football-led programme designed to ride the global momentum building towards 2026. The idea, as echoed by the players themselves, leans into the parallels between football and play experimentation, creativity, failure, and triumph.
Messi described the sets as a way to bring on-pitch moments into an imaginative, hands-on world, while Ronaldo called the transformation into a Lego figure a rare honour, blending sport with storytelling. Vinícius, meanwhile, struck a more personal note, recalling childhood moments of building with Lego and framing creativity as a universal language that transcends borders.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 World Cup set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, global anticipation is already building. Argentina, led by Messi, will enter as defending champions, adding another layer of intrigue.
For Lego, the campaign does more than celebrate football, it taps into its mythology. Because when icons become figurines and rivalries turn into play, the beautiful game finds a new kind of pitch. one built, quite literally, by hand.
