Editing Winx Club (section)

== Development ==
=== Concept and creation ===
[[File:Iginio Straffi.jpg|thumb|Iginio Straffi, creator of ''Winx Club'']]

During the 1990s, comic artist Iginio Straffi noticed that most action cartoons were focused on male heroes;<ref name="lespresso">{{cite web|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/visioni/societa/2011/02/24/news/winx-le-fatine-fanno-il-botto-1.29024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708073253/http://espresso.repubblica.it/visioni/societa/2011/02/24/news/winx-le-fatine-fanno-il-botto-1.29024|archive-date=8 July 2017|title=Winx, le fatine fanno il botto|work=[[L'espresso]]|date=24 February 2011|last=Minardi|first=Sabina|language=it}}</ref> at that time, he felt that the "cartoon world was devoid of female characters".<ref name="lastampa">{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2014/05/11/spettacoli/iginio-straffi-le-mie-winx-sono-le-ragazze-doggi-5OQgybfPXQgVJSDqggTqIO/pagina.html|title=Iginio Straffi: le mie Winx sono le ragazze d'oggi|work=[[La Stampa]]|date=11 May 2014|last=Marmiroli|first=Adriana|language=it|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228130433/https://www.lastampa.it/2014/05/11/spettacoli/iginio-straffi-le-mie-winx-sono-le-ragazze-doggi-5OQgybfPXQgVJSDqggTqIO/pagina.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Straffi hoped to introduce an alternative show with a female lead aged 16 to 18, as he wanted to "explore the psychological side" of the transition to adulthood.<ref name="affaritaliani">{{cite web|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/mediatech/straffi-winx211108_pg_1.html|title=Iginio Straffi, padre delle Winx, ad Affaritaliani: così ho rilanciato il cartoon made in Italy nel mondo|work=[[:it:Affaritaliani.it|Affaritaliani.it]]|date=24 November 2008|last=Cavazzuti|first=Nicole|language=it|access-date=24 September 2019|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924193420/http://www.affaritaliani.it/mediatech/straffi-winx211108_pg_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He decided to develop a pilot centred on the conflict between two rival colleges; one for fairies and another for witches.<ref name="wisesociety">{{cite interview|last=Straffi|first=Iginio|title=Iginio Straffi: l'Italia non dimentichi la sua capacità creativa|date=14 April 2011|url=https://wisesociety.it/incontri/iginio-straffi-il-papa-delle-fatine-made-in-italy/|interviewer=Vincenzo Petraglia|language=it}}</ref> Straffi compared his original premise to "a sort of '[[Oxford–Cambridge rivalry]]' in a magical dimension".<ref>{{cite interview|last=Straffi|first=Iginio|subject-link=Iginio Straffi|title=Fenomeno Winx|url=http://www.mondoerre.it/index.php?method=section&action=zoom&id=301|date=2005|interviewer=Chiara Galavotti}}</ref> In expanding the concept, Iginio Straffi drew his inspiration from Japanese manga<ref name="borders"/> and the comics of [[Sergio Bonelli]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/finanza-e-mercati/2018-05-21/borsa-addio-fatine-winx-non-riesce-mai-magia-piazza-affari-194951.shtml|title=Borsa addio, alle fatine Winx non riesce mai la magia di Piazza Affari|work=[[Il Sole 24 Ore]]|last=Filippetti|first=Simone|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191849/https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/finanza-e-mercati/2018-05-21/borsa-addio-fatine-winx-non-riesce-mai-magia-piazza-affari-194951.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Straffi's pilot, which was titled "Magic Bloom",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llEufiOwnho|title=Magic Bloom - Pilot 2001|publisher=[[Rainbow S.p.A.]]|location=[[Lucca Comics & Games]]}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> featured the original five Winx members in attires like those of traditional European fairies.<ref name="kidscreen">{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2003/09/01/fashion-20030901/|title=Kids TV producers turn to style specialists for design innovations|work=[[Kidscreen]]|date=1 September 2003|last=Ashdown|first=Simon|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=5 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505150840/http://kidscreen.com/2003/09/01/fashion-20030901/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was produced during a twelve-month development period that included animation tests, character studies, and market surveys.<ref name="ilgiornale">{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/pap-fenomeno-winx-cos-ho-sconfitto-i-giapponesi.html|title=Il papà del fenomeno Winx: "Così ho sconfitto i giapponesi"|work=[[Il Giornale]]|date=20 January 2007|language=it|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003033355/http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/pap-fenomeno-winx-cos-ho-sconfitto-i-giapponesi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The animation attracted the interest of [[Rai Fiction]],<ref name="pilotinterview">{{cite interview |last= Straffi |first= Iginio|interviewer= Federico Taddia|title= Nautilus Arte - Iginio Straffi|url= http://www.raiscuola.rai.it/articoli-programma-puntate/nautilus-arte-iginio-straffi/19909/default.aspx|format= video|access-date= 2019-09-01 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181228133303/http://www.raiscuola.rai.it/articoli-programma-puntate/nautilus-arte-iginio-straffi/19909/default.aspx|archive-date= 2018-12-28|language=it}}</ref> which paid for 25% of the production cost in exchange for Italian broadcast rights and a share of the series' revenue over 15 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videoagedaily.com/digitalissues/PDF/Video%20Age%20International%20September-October%202014/files/assets/common/downloads/page0022.pdf|title=When the Drama of Fiction Enters Politics, It Turns Into a RAI Sitcom|work=[[VideoAge International]]|date=October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214185359/http://www.videoagedaily.com/digitalissues/PDF/Video%20Age%20International%20September-October%202014/files/assets/common/downloads/page0022.pdf|archive-date=14 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> After holding test screenings of the pilot, however, Straffi was unhappy with the audience's unenthusiastic reaction to the characters' outdated clothing style<ref name="kidscreen"/> and stated that the pilot did not satisfy him.<ref name="pilotinterview"/> In a 2016 interview, Straffi said the result "looked like just another Japanese-style cartoon&nbsp;... but nothing like [the modern] ''Winx''{{sp}}".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieplayer.it/articoli/rainbow-lintervista-a-iginio-straffi-sullanimazione-in-italia_15112/|title=Animazione: perché l'Italia resta indietro? Ce lo racconta Iginio Straffi|work=Movieplayer.it|date=3 January 2016|last=Zampa|first=Alice|language=it|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219101325/https://movieplayer.it/articoli/rainbow-lintervista-a-iginio-straffi-sullanimazione-in-italia_15112/|url-status=live}}</ref> He likened his feelings about the pilot to an "existential crisis" and chose to scrap the entire test animation despite an investment of over {{€|100,000}} in the completed pilot.<ref name="pilotinterview"/>

To rework the concept, Straffi's team hired Italian fashion designers to restyle the show and give the characters a brighter, more modern appearance.<ref name="vedomosti">{{cite web|url=https://finance.rambler.ru/economics/5851301/|title=Девочки понимают, что наши Winx — настоящие|work=[[Vedomosti]]|date=31 March 2010|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="conquista">{{cite web|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2004/04/23/le-fatine-di-winx-club-alla-conquista.html|title=Le fatine di Winx club alla conquista dell' America|work=[[la Repubblica]]|date=23 April 2004|access-date=15 March 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404015612/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2004/04/23/le-fatine-di-winx-club-alla-conquista.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Production of the restyled series began by 2002, and Rainbow estimated the episodes would be delivered to distributors by late 2003.<ref name="rbw2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.rbw.it:80/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020727141306/http://www.rbw.it/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2002|title=In Production: The Winx|work=[[Rainbow S.p.A.]]|date=27 July 2002|language=it|quote=DELIVERY: Autumn 2003|access-date=6 October 2006}}</ref> The new name of the series ("Winx") was derived from the English word "[[wings]]".<ref name="lespresso"/> Straffi's aim was to appeal to both genders, including action sequences designed for male viewers and fashion elements for female viewers.<ref name="rbw2002"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mipcom-news-rainbow-puts-designs-winx-club-monster-allergy|title=MIPCOM News: Rainbow Puts Designs on WINX CLUB, Monster Allergy|work=[[Animation World Network]]|date=26 September 2003|last=Baisley|first=Sarah|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404003910/https://www.awn.com/news/mipcom-news-rainbow-puts-designs-winx-club-monster-allergy|url-status=live}}</ref> At the October 2003 [[MIPCOM]] event, Rainbow screened the show's first episode to international companies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Meza|first=Ed|url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/mipcom-jr-big-draw-1117893727/|title=Mipcom Jr. big draw|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=9 October 2003|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327233227/https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/mipcom-jr-big-draw-1117893727/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first season had its world premiere on Italian television channel Rai 2 on 28 January 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/specializzati/lifestyle/2014/01/27/Winx-10-anni-fa-fatine-tv_9969288.html|title=Winx, 10 anni fa le fatine in tv|work=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata]]|date=27 January 2014|last=Fascia|first=Claudia|language=it|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404003653/http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/specializzati/lifestyle/2014/01/27/Winx-10-anni-fa-fatine-tv_9969288.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

From the beginning of development, Iginio Straffi planned an overarching plot that would end after "a maximum" of 78 episodes.<ref name="corriereadriatico">{{cite news|url=https://www.corriereadriatico.it/SPETTACOLI/rainbow_avventure_winx_iginio_straffi_villa_musone_marche_rai2/notizie/421983.shtml|title=Ecco le avventure delle mie Winx|work=[[Corriere Adriatico]]|date=3 January 2014|last=Fabrizi|first=Stefano|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219101348/https://www.corriereadriatico.it/SPETTACOLI/rainbow_avventure_winx_iginio_straffi_villa_musone_marche_rai2/notizie/421983.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Straffi stated that the ''Winx'' saga "would not last forever"<ref name="ilgiornale"/> in 2007, and he intended the first movie (''[[Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom]]'') to resolve any plot points remaining from the third-season finale.<ref name="corriereadriatico"/> In 2008, Straffi decided to extend the series, citing its increasing popularity.<ref name="corriereadriatico"/>

=== Nickelodeon revival ===
[[File:Janice Burgess Nickelodeon.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Nickelodeon's [[Janice Burgess]], who was the story editor and creative director on the revival]]

In September 2010, Rainbow S.p.A. announced they had entered into a worldwide broadcast and production deal with [[Nickelodeon]] that would see the broadcaster air the series in several territories, alongside co-producing and developing seasons five and six with them, effectively reviving the series. [[Paramount Consumer Products|Nickelodeon Consumer Products]] also secured merchandising rights to the revival in some regions, including the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2010/09/03/nickelodeon-acquires-winx-club/|title=Nickelodeon acquires Winx Club - TBI Vision}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMGtdZznMQI&t=19 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/JMGtdZznMQI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Winx Club Mini Documentary|website=[[YouTube]]|date=2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="prnewswire">{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeon-and-rainbow-spa-announce-global-partnership-for-winx-club-animated-series-102060828.html|title=Nickelodeon and Rainbow S.p.A. Announce Global Partnership for "Winx Club" Animated Series|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229115912/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeon-and-rainbow-spa-announce-global-partnership-for-winx-club-animated-series-102060828.html|archive-date=29 December 2010|url-status=live|date=2 September 2010|location=New York|agency=PR Newswire|access-date=9 May 2012}}</ref> Viacom would finance and staff the revived series, dividing production between Viacom's [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]]<ref name="nas">{{cite web|url=http://nickanimationstudio.com:80/shows/winx-club/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613182700/http://nickanimationstudio.com/shows/winx-club/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-06-13|title=Nickelodeon Animation Studio: What We Do - Winx Club|work=Nickelodeon|date=2014}}</ref> in the United States and Rainbow S.p.A. in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paramount.com/press/viacom-invests-in-rainbow-group|title=Viacom Invests in Rainbow Group &#124; Paramount|website=www.paramount.com|access-date=1 February 2023|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201232732/https://www.paramount.com/press/viacom-invests-in-rainbow-group|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2011, Nickelodeon's parent company [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] acquired a 30% stake in Rainbow S.p.A. for 62 million euros (US$83 million).<ref name="videoage"/> Viacom originally planned to buy out the entire Rainbow studio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesspeople.it/Business/Finanza/La-Paramount-mette-sotto-contratto-le-Winx_15558|title=La Paramount mette sotto contratto le Winx (Paramount signs the Winx)|work=Business People|date=4 February 2011|language=it|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812002431/http://www.businesspeople.it/Business/Finanza/La-Paramount-mette-sotto-contratto-le-Winx_15558|url-status=live}}</ref> but wanted to keep Iginio Straffi at the helm, leaving Straffi with 70%.<ref name="takes">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/viacom-takes-stake-in-rainbow-1118031575/|title=Viacom takes stake in Rainbow|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=4 February 2011|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094407/https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/viacom-takes-stake-in-rainbow-1118031575/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The revived series began with [[List of Winx Club episodes#Specials (2011)|four special episodes]] that summarize the first two seasons of the original show,<ref name="zap2it"/> followed by the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. As the production team was divided between two countries, Nickelodeon released a statement commenting on how ''Winx Club'' was an unusual production for the company: "It's not our usual practice to co-produce cartoons; we make them by ourselves. But we strongly believe in ''Winx''."<ref name="unitedstates"/> ''Winx Club'' was officially inducted into Nickelodeon's franchise of [[Nicktoons]],<ref name="nickpackaging">{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/dhosford/docs/nick_packaging/28|title=Nickelodeon Packaging Guide Refresh|date=14 July 2016|work=[[Nickelodeon|Nickelodeon Consumer Products]]|publisher=[[Viacom International|Viacom International, Inc.]]|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032538/https://issuu.com/dhosford/docs/nick_packaging/28|url-status=live}}</ref> a brand that encompasses original animated productions created for the network. On each episode of the revived series, Nickelodeon approved scripts and all phases of animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-foss-1ba3715|title=Jonathan Foss (Coordinating Producer / Writer - Winx Club)|date=2014|last=Foss|first=Jonathan}}<!--[[WP:LINKEDIN]], used as a primary source--></ref> Nickelodeon brought on some of its long-time staff members, such as creative director [[Janice Burgess]], and writers [[Sascha Paladino]], [[Adam Peltzman]], and [[Carin Greenberg]].<ref name="5credits">{{cite episode|title=Sirenix (season 5 credits)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EHqjHpgP30 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/9EHqjHpgP30 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|series=Winx Club|minutes=23:09}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 7 April 2014, Rainbow and Nickelodeon announced their continuing partnership on the seventh season of ''Winx Club'', with a planned premiere date of 2015.<ref name="awn">{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/rainbow-and-nickelodeon-announce-winx-club-season-seven|title=Rainbow and Nickelodeon Announce 'Winx Club' Season Seven|work=[[Animation World Network]]|last=Wolfe|first=Jennifer|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223201214/http://www.awn.com/news/rainbow-and-nickelodeon-announce-winx-club-season-seven|url-status=live}}</ref> Straffi said of the season: "It will be a privilege to partner once more with Nickelodeon on this."<ref name="awn"/> During production, Rainbow was undergoing a multimillion-euro financial loss due to the [[box office bomb|box office failure]] of its film ''[[Gladiators of Rome (2012 film)|Gladiators of Rome]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cineblog.it/post/78549/imbattibile-ted-al-botteghino-italiano-delude-gladiatori-di-roma-3d|title=Gladiatori di Roma 3D fa flop al botteghino|work=Cineblog.it|date=22 October 2012|last=Boni|first=Federico|language=it|access-date=1 January 2020|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101061450/https://www.cineblog.it/post/78549/imbattibile-ted-al-botteghino-italiano-delude-gladiatori-di-roma-3d|url-status=live}}</ref> They subsequently decided to cut costs on ''Winx Club'', its most expensive show. The CGI-animated segments and California voice cast from the previous two seasons were deemed too costly to continue using for the seventh season. As with the previous two seasons, the copyright to the seventh season is co-owned by Rainbow and Viacom.<ref name="us-copyright-office"/> The first episode aired on 22 June 2015, on Nickelodeon in Asia,<ref name="asia"/> followed by its American broadcast on the [[Nick Jr. Channel]] on 10 January 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shows A-Z – Winx Club on Nick Jr.|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/winx-club/listings/|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140302031855/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/winx-club/listings/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{external media
| float  = right
| video1 = [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kdFM7y0GxmARDHW8f75g6UUNCLeAjVlG/view Interview clip] of ''Winx Club'' creator Iginio Straffi in 2019, commenting on his continued work with Nickelodeon.
}}

The president of Nickelodeon International, Pierluigi Gazzolo, was responsible for arranging the co-production partnership and became a member of Rainbow's [[board of directors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191120005798/en/Viacom-International-Media-Networks-VIMN-Announces-Key|title=Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Announces Key Leadership Changes, Elevates OTT and Studio Businesses|work=[[Business Wire]]|date=20 November 2019|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215215916/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191120005798/en/Viacom-International-Media-Networks-VIMN-Announces-Key|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to financing the television series, Viacom provided the resources necessary to produce a [[Winx Club: The Mystery of the Abyss|third ''Winx'' film]].<ref name="mercato">{{cite web|url=http://www.cineconomy.com/2010/pdf/Rapporto_Cinema_2010.pdf#page=71|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018020412/http://www.cineconomy.com/2010/pdf/Rapporto_Cinema_2010.pdf#page=71|pages=70–71|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-18|title=Il Mercato e l'Industria del Cinema in Italia 2010 (pages 70-71)|work=[[:it:Fondazione ente dello spettacolo|Fondazione ente dello spettacolo]]|date=2011}}</ref> In 2019, Iginio Straffi commented on the two studios' near-decade of continued work together, saying that "the know-how of Rainbow and the know-how of Nickelodeon are very complementary; the sensibilities of the Americans, with our European touch."<ref name="tvkids"/> ''Winx Club'' opened the opportunity for Nickelodeon and Rainbow to collaborate on additional co-productions together, including various pilots from 2014 onward and ''[[Club 57 (TV series)|Club 57]]'' in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/teen/2018/09/28/rainbow-lancia-cartone-animato-44-gatti_05917921-ac06-4feb-b6bb-3c6a1ab5025d.html|title=Le Winx compiono 15 anni, fatine per la nuova generazione di ragazze indipendenti - Teen|work=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata]]|date=29 September 2018|last=Carotti|first=Daniele|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191835/http://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/teen/2018/09/28/rainbow-lancia-cartone-animato-44-gatti_05917921-ac06-4feb-b6bb-3c6a1ab5025d.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Retooled eighth season ====
{{Quote box
|width   = 25em
|bgcolor = #c6dbf7
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|quote=In the last ten years, the animation audience has skewed younger. Nowadays, it's very difficult to get a 10-year-old to watch cartoons ... when your target is 4-to-8, your story cannot have the same level of complexity as the beginning seasons of ''Winx'', where we had a lot of layers ... The fans of the previous ''Winx Club'' say on social media that the new seasons are childish, but they don't know that we ''had'' to do that.
|source=—[[Iginio Straffi]] in 2019<ref name="tvkids"/>
}}
The eighth season of the series was not produced immediately after the seventh. It followed a multiple-year hiatus and was not made as a direct continuation of the previous season. At Iginio Straffi's decision, Season 8 was heavily retooled to appeal to a preschool [[target audience]].<ref name="tvkids"/>

For season eight, Rainbow's creative team restyled the characters to appear younger, hoping to increase the appeal toward preschoolers.<ref name="tvkids"/> The plot lines were simplified so that they could be understood by a younger audience.<ref name="tvkids"/> Most of the show's longtime crew members were not called back to work on this season, including art director Simone Borselli, who had designed the series' characters from season one to seven, and singer Elisa Rosselli, who had performed a majority of the songs.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Rosselli|first=Elisa|title=Elisa Rosselli Interview|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=FiS81sC6Few&t=722|date=2019}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> In another change from previous seasons, season eight was the first since season four to be solely produced by Rainbow, with Nickelodeon's American team serving as consultants rather than directly overseeing the episodes. This was due to the broadcaster focusing on another co-production with Rainbow – ''[[Club 57 (TV series)|Club 57]]''.<ref name="tvkids"/> Season eight was also the first-ever season without the involvement of [[Rai Fiction]].<ref>{{cite episode|title=Winx Club - Episode 801 (credits)|series=Winx Club|minutes=23:09}}</ref>

Iginio Straffi made the decision to shift the show's intended audience after years of gradually aiming toward a younger demographic. In a 2019 interview,<ref name="tvkids"/> Straffi explained that decreasing viewership from older viewers and an increased audience of young children made this change a necessity. He elaborated that "the fans of the previous ''Winx Club'' say on social media that the new seasons are childish, but they don't know that we ''had'' to do that."<ref name="tvkids"/> Straffi stepped away from the series at this time and shifted his focus to [[live-action]] projects aimed at older audiences: Nickelodeon's ''Club 57'' and ''[[Fate: The Winx Saga]]''.<ref name="tvkids"/> Straffi explained that "the things we had to tone down [in season eight] have been emphasized in the live action–the relationships, the fights, the love stories." He added that he hoped that ''Fate'' will satisfy the "20-year-olds who still like to watch ''Winx''."<ref name="tvkids"/>

===Reboot===
On November 6, 2022, creator Iginio Straffi announced that "a brand new CG ''Winx'' animated series reboot is going into production. Yes, a reboot."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.awn.com/news/recently-canceled-fate-winx-saga-nabs-cg-animated-series-reboot-and-live-action-film | title=Recently Canceled 'Fate: The Winx Saga' Nabs CG Animated Series Reboot and Live-Action Film | access-date=28 April 2023 | archive-date=5 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205190025/https://www.awn.com/news/recently-canceled-fate-winx-saga-nabs-cg-animated-series-reboot-and-live-action-film | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Winx Club Animated Reboot Announced by Creator |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/winx-club-animated-reboot-tv-series/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=comicbook.com |date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225043939/https://comicbook.com/anime/amp/news/winx-club-animated-reboot-tv-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2023, Paramount (Viacom) sold its stake in Rainbow back to Straffi, allowing him full creative control of the reboot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SemiColonWeb |title=Good Morning, Cinecittà! |url= https://cinecittanews.it/good-morning-cinecitta-6/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=news.cinecitta.com |date=24 January 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125003036/https://news.cinecitta.com/IT/it-it/news/53/92751/good-morning-cinecitta.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2024, it was announced that [[Netflix]] will be in charge of broadcasting the episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Winx Club CGI-Animated Series Coming to Netflix in 2025 |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/winx-club-reboot-netflix-2025/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Anime |date=25 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>