Nellie Andreeva

The Hub, the kids-centered cable channel that replaced Discovery Kids in October, will unveil nine new series at its upfront presentation today, including Secret Millionaire’s Club, a series of animated specials featuring Warren Buffett as a secret adviser to a group of kids who learn about business. Secret Millionaire’s Club, from Andy Heyward’s A Square, runs as a Web series on AOL Kids. Also among Hub’s new series is Majors & Minors, a reality singing competition from songwriter Evan Bogart and producers Tim Bogart and Gary Randall, featuring 16 young performers vying for a recording deal with RCA/Jive. Also newly announced by The Hub, a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro, is The Aquabats Super Show, featuring the rock band, and a slew of series based on Hasbro toy brands, including Blythe Loves The Littlest Pet Shop, Clue, The Game of Life, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters, Scrabble Showdown and Transformers offshoot Rescue Bots.

Additionally, The Hub, which averages 107,000 viewers in primetime, has acquired game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, which aired on Fox, and has renewed 10 series: The Adventures of Chuck & Friends, Animal Mechanicals, Dan Vs., Family Game Night, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Pound Puppies, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series,  Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures, Transformers Prime and The WotWots. Here are descriptions of The Hub’s new series:

“The Aquabats Super Show” (Hub Original Series)

From the creators of “Yo Gabba Gabba” comes this quirky comedy adventure show featuring the popular rock band The Aquabats.  A hybrid of concert footage, live-action skits and animation, the Aquabats battle evil with music and superhero powers unlike any seen before.  The Aquabats are a touring band with five albums currently released. Produced by FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Magic Store.

“Blythe Loves The Littlest Pet Shop” (Hub Original Series, working title)

Inspired by the beloved “Littlest Pet Shop” brand, Blythe moves to the city and discovers that her new apartment is where her neighbors’ pets come to play when their owners are away.  In this animated series, Blythe befriends the pets and introduces them to a world of adventures just outside their door. Produced by Hasbro Studios.

“Clue” (Hub Original Miniseries)

Inspired by the iconic family game brand, this live-action series features six teens who are brought together when they believe they’ve witnessed a terrible crime.  As a team, they discover conspiracy theories and cover-ups dating back centuries!  They must work together to solve one mystery, only to realize that they may have opened a Pandora’s Box. Produced by Hasbro Studios.

“The Game of Life” (Hub Original Series)

The live-action family game show “The Game of Life” will be presented in an entirely new way as each family team gets a chance at the iconic spinner and hops in the car for a one-of-a-kind journey through a larger-than-life virtual world.  Hosted by comedian Frank Nicotero (co-host of “The Sharon Osbourne Show,” “Street Smarts,” and Yahoo! TV’s “Primetime in No Time”). Produced by Hasbro Studios.

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” (Hub Original Series, working title)

In this animated series inspired by the wildly popular trading card game, “Duel Masters,” a 14-year-old boy discovers a secret world in which mind-blowing creatures rule!  These creatures harness special powers that if unleashed, could destroy the world as we know it.  It is up to the boy to master his abilities in the ancient art of Kaijudo to protect their world and his own. Produced by Hasbro Studios.

“Majors & Minors” (Hub Original Series, working title)
This groundbreaking reality series follows 16 talented young performers as they are mentored by the biggest and most established artists in the music industry.   While no one is ever voted off, one lucky “star-in-the-making’ will claim the final prize of a recording deal with the RCA/Jive label group and an opportunity to be featured in a cross-country concert tour.   Among the musical artists already scheduled to participate are Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Sean Kingston and Ryan Tedder (of One Republic). From Evan Bogart, the songwriting hit-maker for music stars Rihanna and Beyonce, and top TV producers Tim Bogart and Gary A. Randall, the series is produced by The Boardwalk Entertainment Group in partnership with Sony Music’s RCA/Jive Label Group and BMI.

“Rescue Bots” (Hub Original Series, working title)

Inspired by the iconic “Transformers” brand, a group of Autobots, too young to protect humanity alongside Optimus Prime and his team, are partnered with a close-knit human family of first responders.  Together, they learn teamwork and heroism alongside their new human friends in this animated series produced by Hasbro Studios.

“Scrabble Showdown” (Hub Original Series)

The world’s most popular word game comes to life in this new game show in which families use teamwork to solve a variety of word games and puzzles that test their speed, spelling and vocabulary for points and prizes. The live-action series is hosted by Justin Willman (“Hubworld,” Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”). Produced by Hasbro Studios.

“Secret Millionaire’s Club” (Hub Original Series of Specials)
The Hub will air four half-hour specials of Warren Buffett’s “Secret Millionaire’s Club,” a new animated series created by one of the most successful investors in the world. Warren Buffett is a secret advisor to a group of kids who learn about business and how the world around them works. Through a series of adventures, kids learn basic business principles, and discover that the most valuable investment they can make is an investment in themselves. Created in partnership with and voiced by Mr. Buffett himself. Produced by A Squared Entertainment and Andy Heyward, former CEO of DIC Entertainment.

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