Spotlight Licensing and Brand Management has been appointed to launch and manage the US and Canadian licensing programme for the long-running Call the Midwife television series.

The appointment was made by Neal Street Productions, the rights owners of the critically acclaimed and popular television series.

“Call the Midwife has engaged tens of millions of viewers over the years with its profound storytelling, compelling portrayals, and period costumes and setting,” said Spotlight Licensing president Carole Postal. “Knowing PBS expects the upcoming season to reach 16.9 million unique viewers when Call the Midwife returns for Season 9 starting March 29, Spotlight is honoured and excited to be given this opportunity to make this powerful and beloved property available now for licensing here in the U.S. and Canada.”

In announcing her agency’s appointment, Postal was pleased to reveal her agency has already signed and begun working with its first Call the Midwife licensee. Rizzoli International Publications has been granted the license to publish Call the Midwife 2021 Wall Calendars and 2022 Wall Calendars under its Universe Publishing imprint.

“Call the Midwife has already been renewed through Season 11 in 2022,” continued Postal. “So it’s great to know fans will have beautiful calendars to mark as they wait for each new season to air on PBS and then Netflix.”

Spotlight Licensing will act as exclusive North American sub-agent for Call the Midwife – coordinating efforts with the property’s global master agent London-based Metrostar as they actively seek licensing partners across a wide range of appropriate product categories including gifts, novelties, apparel, accessories, housewares, stationery, puzzles, games, dolls, and more

“Metrostar has worked with Carole and her team before so we are delighted with Spotlight’s appointment to lead Call the Midwife licensing efforts in the U.S. and Canada,” said Claire Potter, managing director of Metrostar.