Amazon inks deal with Mattel for American Girl TV specials

If your little one is a fan of Mattel's American Girl dolls, you may want to consider a Prime membership. Or at least make sure yours doesn't expire anytime soon. Amazon announced a deal today with the toy maker for production of four live-action specials based on the brand's characters. What's more, the online retailer has the option to produce "multiple seasons of episodic content," too. This means that in addition to the popular dolls making an appearance in the specials, the dolls could star a new kids series on the way as well.

"American Girl resonates strongly with kids and parents alike through its message of self-confidence, adventure, exploration and learning," said Amazon Studios' head of kids programming Tara Sorensen. "Their research dives deep and adds rich layers to the IP that are unparalleled in this space which, in turn, will facilitate a truly enriched on-screen experience."

When the first American Girls special debuts in the US, UK, Australia and Germany later this year, it'll join Amazon's portfolio of kids content on Prime. That library includes the likes of Just Add Magic and the Emmy-nominated live-action shows Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street and Annedroids. Of course, getting the specials at no added cost with a Prime subscription is about the only American Girls extra parents won't have to pay for.