Every day there are new apps for mobile devices (iPhone/iPad/iTouch, smartphones, etc.), with more and more of them aimed at kids of all ages, including the very youngest.
But are they educational, and are kids actually learning from them. According to Learning: Is there an app for that?, a new national survey of parents and observation of K3-7 learning and interacting with mobile media, released yesterday by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop ( http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/Reports.html ), in collaboration with PBS Kids Raising Readers and Hotspex, most parents let their young kids use their mobile devices even though they don't think their kids are learning anything beneficial.
The study also found that kids can and are learning things (including literacy skills) through age appropriate educational apps, and also offers some guidance for developers to produce better educational apps and make parents aware of their benefits.
The report refers to the 'pass-back effect' - which is when a parent hands a mobile device to a kid to occupy them, say in car, restaurant or grocery cart, and the kid plays with it until the parent takes it back.
A 2009 content analysis conducted by The Cooney Center showed that 60% of the 25 top-selling paid applications in the education section of the iTunes App Store target toddlers and preschoolers. In addition, a Kaiser Family Foundation study noted that kids spend an average of about one hour per day using mobile devices. Some findings from Learning: Is there an app for that? include:
The mobile media pass-back effect - Two-thirds of K4-7 have used an iPhone or iPod touch and 85% have used one owned by a parent. Kids most often use the devices when they are passed-back by a parent while in a car.
Evidence that kids can learn from apps - Mobile apps based on PBS Kids programs Martha Speaks and Super Why! were independently evaluated with 90 K3-7 who played with them for 2 weeks. Kids made gains in vocabulary comprehension, letter-identification and rhyming after use of the apps. Vocabulary improved as much as 31% for kids who played with the Martha Speaks Dog Party App.
Young kids are surprisingly adept at using smart mobile devices - Nearly all of the kids observed in the studies could master operations, even after initial difficulty.
Create apps that sustain interest - Children use apps for short periods of time and interest quickly diminishes. Developers should design activities that incorporate specific educational goals and incentives to hold their interest.
Use mobile devices as supplemental tools - App content can be developed around curriculum goals in literacy, math and science as well as life skills to supplement and extend school-based learning.
Inform parents - App developers' claims of educational impact are largely unsubstantiated and should be based on specific evidence. Parents need more information on how mobile devices can and should be used as learning tools.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Study: Social Media Makes Kids Sick, Bad
Erik Sass, Nov 10, 2010 05:35 PM
Scarcely a week goes by without the news media circulating a questionable, but highly reportable, study purporting to document the ills caused by social media. This week is no exception: the latest entry comes from Case Western Reserve's School of Medicine, with a study warning that excessive use of social media -- specifically, "hypertexting" (sending more than 120 messages per school day) and "hypernetworking" (spending more than three hours per day on sites like Facebook) -- is linked to dangerous health problems and antisocial behavior in teens.
Among the Case Western findings, teens who hypertext are twice as likely to have tried alcohol; 3.5 times more likely to have had sex; 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes; 41% more likely to have used illicit drugs; 43% more likely to be binge drinkers; 55% more likely to have been in a physical fight; and 90% more likely to report four or more sexual partners.
Hypernetworkers were 60% more likely to have four or more sexual partners; 62% more likely to have tried cigarettes; 69% more likely to be binge drinkers; 69% more likely to have had sex; 79% more likely to have tried alcohol; 84% more likely to have used illicit drugs; and 94% more likely to have been in a physical fight.
According to lead researcher Scott Frank, "The startling results of this study suggest that when left unchecked texting and other widely popular methods of staying connected can have dangerous health effects on teenagers.
This should be a wake-up call for parents to not only help their children stay safe by not texting and driving, but by discouraging excessive use of the cell phone or social websites in general."
This would seem to suggest a causal link between texting and social networking and these negative outcomes -- and Frank speculated in an interview with CNN (but not the study itself) that all the texting and social media use enables "high-tech peer pressure." But he also concedes that the study "does not demonstrate cause and effect," which seems to contradict that statement.
In fact, he adds: "We are not saying texting causes these behaviors." So what are we saying? Well, it's kind of ambiguous: "We can recognize that these kinds of connections ... may be facilitating or enabling these kinds of behaviors, but we certainly can't think of (the online connections) as causing them."
"Facilitating" versus "causing" -- perhaps a minor distinction, at first glance. But once you accept that texting and social networks aren't actually causing these behaviors, they become just two more members of a group of correlated behaviors which may describe -- but can't explain -- a certain kind of personality, more prone to engage in risky and self-destructive activity.
Once again, I would argue that excessive social media use and texting are just symptoms of social ills that already existed for some time. It's well known that adolescents, struggling with unstable identities and mood swings, are more likely to engage in self-destructive behavior.
I believe behaviors like "hypertexting" and "hypernetworking" are closely related to the sense of incompleteness and insecurity which bedevils many teens (not to mention a good number of adults): like alcohol, tobacco, drugs and sex, they serve to occupy a restless, wandering, attention-seeking personality, which believes itself totally unable to find peace and tranquility on its own terms.
I should also point out that the Case Western study is simply a snapshot of teen behaviors at one moment in time. It doesn't examine changes in these behaviors over time, making it even harder to draw any conclusions about correlation versus causation.
On the other hand, many indices for negative behaviors among teens have remained flat over the last decade -- coinciding with the social media boom.
The proportion of teens ages 15-19 having sex before marriage has remained stable at 42% from 2002-2010, according to National Survey of Family Growth conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile the proportion of eighth graders who believe smoking marijuana regularly is harmful remained flat at around 70% from 2002-2009, according to a national study by the University of Michigan.
Scarcely a week goes by without the news media circulating a questionable, but highly reportable, study purporting to document the ills caused by social media. This week is no exception: the latest entry comes from Case Western Reserve's School of Medicine, with a study warning that excessive use of social media -- specifically, "hypertexting" (sending more than 120 messages per school day) and "hypernetworking" (spending more than three hours per day on sites like Facebook) -- is linked to dangerous health problems and antisocial behavior in teens.
Among the Case Western findings, teens who hypertext are twice as likely to have tried alcohol; 3.5 times more likely to have had sex; 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes; 41% more likely to have used illicit drugs; 43% more likely to be binge drinkers; 55% more likely to have been in a physical fight; and 90% more likely to report four or more sexual partners.
Hypernetworkers were 60% more likely to have four or more sexual partners; 62% more likely to have tried cigarettes; 69% more likely to be binge drinkers; 69% more likely to have had sex; 79% more likely to have tried alcohol; 84% more likely to have used illicit drugs; and 94% more likely to have been in a physical fight.
According to lead researcher Scott Frank, "The startling results of this study suggest that when left unchecked texting and other widely popular methods of staying connected can have dangerous health effects on teenagers.
This should be a wake-up call for parents to not only help their children stay safe by not texting and driving, but by discouraging excessive use of the cell phone or social websites in general."
This would seem to suggest a causal link between texting and social networking and these negative outcomes -- and Frank speculated in an interview with CNN (but not the study itself) that all the texting and social media use enables "high-tech peer pressure." But he also concedes that the study "does not demonstrate cause and effect," which seems to contradict that statement.
In fact, he adds: "We are not saying texting causes these behaviors." So what are we saying? Well, it's kind of ambiguous: "We can recognize that these kinds of connections ... may be facilitating or enabling these kinds of behaviors, but we certainly can't think of (the online connections) as causing them."
"Facilitating" versus "causing" -- perhaps a minor distinction, at first glance. But once you accept that texting and social networks aren't actually causing these behaviors, they become just two more members of a group of correlated behaviors which may describe -- but can't explain -- a certain kind of personality, more prone to engage in risky and self-destructive activity.
Once again, I would argue that excessive social media use and texting are just symptoms of social ills that already existed for some time. It's well known that adolescents, struggling with unstable identities and mood swings, are more likely to engage in self-destructive behavior.
I believe behaviors like "hypertexting" and "hypernetworking" are closely related to the sense of incompleteness and insecurity which bedevils many teens (not to mention a good number of adults): like alcohol, tobacco, drugs and sex, they serve to occupy a restless, wandering, attention-seeking personality, which believes itself totally unable to find peace and tranquility on its own terms.
I should also point out that the Case Western study is simply a snapshot of teen behaviors at one moment in time. It doesn't examine changes in these behaviors over time, making it even harder to draw any conclusions about correlation versus causation.
On the other hand, many indices for negative behaviors among teens have remained flat over the last decade -- coinciding with the social media boom.
The proportion of teens ages 15-19 having sex before marriage has remained stable at 42% from 2002-2010, according to National Survey of Family Growth conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile the proportion of eighth graders who believe smoking marijuana regularly is harmful remained flat at around 70% from 2002-2009, according to a national study by the University of Michigan.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
PBSKids.org
PBSKids.org ( www.pbskids.org ) becomes the top kid-targeted website for free videos streamed based on number of videos viewed, per comScore Video Metrix (September 2010).
For the month of September 2010, kids spent an average of 47 minutes viewing free educational videos, reaching close to 88 million video streams for the month, which is twice the monthly average for free educational videos from other kid-centric sites.
For the month of September 2010, kids spent an average of 47 minutes viewing free educational videos, reaching close to 88 million video streams for the month, which is twice the monthly average for free educational videos from other kid-centric sites.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Go Figure
Picture Box Distribution, a Canadian-based distributor of kid's programming, picks up the sales rights to Go Figure (52x1), a new preschool 2D animated short-form series that is currently in development. Produced by Colombia-based 4direcciones, Go Figure is based on a Latin American board book series, which helps preschoolers work on their concentration and analytic skills. Under the deal Picture Box takes all media rights for the property outside of Latin America, and will be seeking to ink TV deals, as well as digital media partners.
Friday, October 22, 2010
CBeebies, Darrall Macqueen, JimJam
CBeebies commissions indie UK-based producer Darrall Macqueen to produce the new mixed live-action/2D photo animation, preschool series Magic Baby (26x11).
Magic Baby follows the enchanting adventures of Baby Jake, the youngest of 10 kids that live in a windmill. Jake's 6-year-old brother, Isaac, narrates the series and interprets Baby Jake's giggles and gurgles and takes viewers into an imaginary world with Jake and his animal friends.
Baby Jake is a Darrall Macqueen production in association with Ireland's JAM Media, which will be produced by Maddy Darrall and executive produced by Billy Macqueen of Darrall Macqueen and Sarah Colclough for CBeebies. JAM Media's Alan Shannon will serve as animation director.
Chello Zone's international preschool channel, JimJam, expands with new deals in the Netherlands and Portugal. JimJam has just launched on KPN (Netherlands) as part of the broadcasters new digital kid-targeted package.
KPN also picks up JimJam's non-commercial VOD service. In Portugal JimJam launches this week on Vodafone's IPTV service as part of its basic package.
JimJam is already carried in the Netherlands on CAIW Media, UPC Nederland, Canal Digitaal, CAI Harderwijk, Delta Kabelcomfort and Ziggo. The preschool channel is also carried by Glashart Media. In Portugal, JimJam is currently available via Cabovisao, Optimus Clix and Portugal Telecom (Meo).
Magic Baby follows the enchanting adventures of Baby Jake, the youngest of 10 kids that live in a windmill. Jake's 6-year-old brother, Isaac, narrates the series and interprets Baby Jake's giggles and gurgles and takes viewers into an imaginary world with Jake and his animal friends.
Baby Jake is a Darrall Macqueen production in association with Ireland's JAM Media, which will be produced by Maddy Darrall and executive produced by Billy Macqueen of Darrall Macqueen and Sarah Colclough for CBeebies. JAM Media's Alan Shannon will serve as animation director.
Chello Zone's international preschool channel, JimJam, expands with new deals in the Netherlands and Portugal. JimJam has just launched on KPN (Netherlands) as part of the broadcasters new digital kid-targeted package.
KPN also picks up JimJam's non-commercial VOD service. In Portugal JimJam launches this week on Vodafone's IPTV service as part of its basic package.
JimJam is already carried in the Netherlands on CAIW Media, UPC Nederland, Canal Digitaal, CAI Harderwijk, Delta Kabelcomfort and Ziggo. The preschool channel is also carried by Glashart Media. In Portugal, JimJam is currently available via Cabovisao, Optimus Clix and Portugal Telecom (Meo).
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wildbrain Entertainment
The US Department of Education awards WTTW, Chicago's public TV station, in partnership with Wildbrain Entertainment and The Michael Cohen Group, a $32.5 million grant as part of its five-year Ready to Learn initiative, to develop the multimedia property UMIGO (you make it go).
Ready to Learn supports development of preschool/early elementary school aimed educational programming and media. WTTW and Wildbrain Entertainment (Yo Gabba Gabba!) are teaming up to develop UMIGO, which will debut first as an online property and then as a TV series, followed by a consumer products line.
Created by Michael Polis, President, Wildbrain Entertainment, UMIGO will also be developed in collaboration with research/evaluation company The Michael Cohen Group.
Designed specifically for at-risk kids in the US living in low-income households, the online interactive UMIGO site will feature kid-initiative learning and play options for K2-8 to support the learning of basic principles of math, as well as develop their ability to think creatively and work collaboratively.
Ready to Learn supports development of preschool/early elementary school aimed educational programming and media. WTTW and Wildbrain Entertainment (Yo Gabba Gabba!) are teaming up to develop UMIGO, which will debut first as an online property and then as a TV series, followed by a consumer products line.
Created by Michael Polis, President, Wildbrain Entertainment, UMIGO will also be developed in collaboration with research/evaluation company The Michael Cohen Group.
Designed specifically for at-risk kids in the US living in low-income households, the online interactive UMIGO site will feature kid-initiative learning and play options for K2-8 to support the learning of basic principles of math, as well as develop their ability to think creatively and work collaboratively.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Scholastic and Sesame Workshop
Scholastic celebrates its 90th anniversary with the launch of the global literacy campaign, Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life. ( www.scholastic.com/readeveryday ), which aims to increase literacy in the 21st century and underlines to kids the importance of reading has in their success in life.
The campaign will also target parents and teachers to help make reading easier, more fun and more accessible to kids at school and home. More than 120 organizations and individuals have joined the campaign as literacy champions. The Read Every Day initiative is comprised of several elements, including:
The Reading Bill of Rights the Bill of Rights is available on the website and will also be handed out at noted sites around the world on October 22, Scholastic's official anniversary.
Reading Action Steps, ways we can all encourage and help kids read
Celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Keke Palmer, and the NFL's Justin Tick, will support Read Every Day through public service announcements, while noted kid's illustrators, including David Shannon, Mark Teague, Norman Bridwell, and Barbara McClintock, have created special posters for the campaign
Scholastic has also created the social network site You Are What You Read (
www.youarewhatyouread.com), for readers worldwide where people can post the five books that changed their lives and connect with others through shared "Bookprints," and discover new books.
The site also features "Bookprints" of noted people such as Bill Gates, Eva Mendes, Tony Hawk, Jodi Picoult, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Malcolm Gladwell. The site launches October 22.
Taylor Swift will participate in a live webcast exclusively for schools to celebrate Read Every Day.
Read Now! with Taylor Swift will include an interview with the artist about how reading is part of her life and she will perform. Hosted by Nick Cannon, the event will take place October 27, 2010. Teachers can get more information and register at scholastic.com/readeveryday
Sesame Workshop names Dr. Charlotte Frances Cole as SVP/Global Education.
She will be responsible for Sesame Workshop's worldwide strategies and lead the development of curriculum and research around its international projects. Dr. Cole has worked with Sesame Workshop as part of its Education, Research and Outreach team since 1994.
The campaign will also target parents and teachers to help make reading easier, more fun and more accessible to kids at school and home. More than 120 organizations and individuals have joined the campaign as literacy champions. The Read Every Day initiative is comprised of several elements, including:
The Reading Bill of Rights the Bill of Rights is available on the website and will also be handed out at noted sites around the world on October 22, Scholastic's official anniversary.
Reading Action Steps, ways we can all encourage and help kids read
Celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Keke Palmer, and the NFL's Justin Tick, will support Read Every Day through public service announcements, while noted kid's illustrators, including David Shannon, Mark Teague, Norman Bridwell, and Barbara McClintock, have created special posters for the campaign
Scholastic has also created the social network site You Are What You Read (
www.youarewhatyouread.com), for readers worldwide where people can post the five books that changed their lives and connect with others through shared "Bookprints," and discover new books.
The site also features "Bookprints" of noted people such as Bill Gates, Eva Mendes, Tony Hawk, Jodi Picoult, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Malcolm Gladwell. The site launches October 22.
Taylor Swift will participate in a live webcast exclusively for schools to celebrate Read Every Day.
Read Now! with Taylor Swift will include an interview with the artist about how reading is part of her life and she will perform. Hosted by Nick Cannon, the event will take place October 27, 2010. Teachers can get more information and register at scholastic.com/readeveryday
Sesame Workshop names Dr. Charlotte Frances Cole as SVP/Global Education.
She will be responsible for Sesame Workshop's worldwide strategies and lead the development of curriculum and research around its international projects. Dr. Cole has worked with Sesame Workshop as part of its Education, Research and Outreach team since 1994.
Monday, October 18, 2010
CPB, PBS and new shows
The new mixed live-action and CGI animated series Mia and me (26x24) debuted last week at MipJunior, becoming the top screened show.
Featuring a look based on the art of painter Gustav Klimt, Mia and me is a co-production of Lucky Punch (a joint venture between m4e and Gerhard Hahn), Rainbow and March Entertainment. Also serving as co-producers on the series are m4e, Hahn Film, ZDF (Germany) and Rai Fiction (Italy).
Telescreen, a unit of m4e, and Rainbow, expect to announce TV, home entertainment and product licensing deals, as well as a toy deal, soon for Mia and Me. Mia and me is expected to premiere at the end of 2011 on ZDF and Rai.
Entertainment industry veterans Pam Slavin, Toni Stevens and Bill Fox have set up the new family entertainment company, Wizard Hat Productions.
Based in Toronto Canada, Wizard Hat Productions plans to create and produce live action and animated series for kids and family audiences.
The partners each have solid entertainment backgrounds: Slavin has written and produced on a range of kid-targeted series including Little Bear, Johnny Test, Rolie Polie Olie and Berenstain Bears; Stevens has produced kids show including Caillou, Arthur, Gerald McBoing Boing, Storytime with Thomas the Tank engine and Will & Dewitt; and Fox served as EVP/Communications and Corporate Development, BCE, and prior to that as SVP/Public Affairs, Bombardier.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS have been awarded a Ready To Learn grant of close to $72 million by the US Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement to fund multiplatform content efforts to improve math and literacy skills of K2-8.
The grant, which is part of $15 million in funds that will be handed out to organizations between 2010-2015, enables CPB and PBS to further their multiplatform math and literacy educational efforts with a range of partners, including local PBS stations, and existing and new PBS Kids producers, including Sesame Workshop, WGBH, Universal, The Jim Henson Company, Out of the Blue, TPT National Productions, Kratt Brothers, Cloud Kid, Portfolio Entertainment Inc., and Random House Children's Entertainment.
Other partners include the School of Education at Boston University, the Chicago Public Schools' Virtual Pre-K and Virtual K programs, the National Summer Learning Association, Creative Commons and the Collaborative for Building After-School Systems.
Education Development Center, SRI International and WestEd will conduct research and evaluations to help support the CPB and PBS initiative. This is the CPB and PBS' fourth Ready To Learn grant since 1995.
Featuring a look based on the art of painter Gustav Klimt, Mia and me is a co-production of Lucky Punch (a joint venture between m4e and Gerhard Hahn), Rainbow and March Entertainment. Also serving as co-producers on the series are m4e, Hahn Film, ZDF (Germany) and Rai Fiction (Italy).
Telescreen, a unit of m4e, and Rainbow, expect to announce TV, home entertainment and product licensing deals, as well as a toy deal, soon for Mia and Me. Mia and me is expected to premiere at the end of 2011 on ZDF and Rai.
Entertainment industry veterans Pam Slavin, Toni Stevens and Bill Fox have set up the new family entertainment company, Wizard Hat Productions.
Based in Toronto Canada, Wizard Hat Productions plans to create and produce live action and animated series for kids and family audiences.
The partners each have solid entertainment backgrounds: Slavin has written and produced on a range of kid-targeted series including Little Bear, Johnny Test, Rolie Polie Olie and Berenstain Bears; Stevens has produced kids show including Caillou, Arthur, Gerald McBoing Boing, Storytime with Thomas the Tank engine and Will & Dewitt; and Fox served as EVP/Communications and Corporate Development, BCE, and prior to that as SVP/Public Affairs, Bombardier.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS have been awarded a Ready To Learn grant of close to $72 million by the US Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement to fund multiplatform content efforts to improve math and literacy skills of K2-8.
The grant, which is part of $15 million in funds that will be handed out to organizations between 2010-2015, enables CPB and PBS to further their multiplatform math and literacy educational efforts with a range of partners, including local PBS stations, and existing and new PBS Kids producers, including Sesame Workshop, WGBH, Universal, The Jim Henson Company, Out of the Blue, TPT National Productions, Kratt Brothers, Cloud Kid, Portfolio Entertainment Inc., and Random House Children's Entertainment.
Other partners include the School of Education at Boston University, the Chicago Public Schools' Virtual Pre-K and Virtual K programs, the National Summer Learning Association, Creative Commons and the Collaborative for Building After-School Systems.
Education Development Center, SRI International and WestEd will conduct research and evaluations to help support the CPB and PBS initiative. This is the CPB and PBS' fourth Ready To Learn grant since 1995.
Kids, Tweens and Teens
by Daisy Whitney
Do the math - TV is still the big kahuna when it comes to kids.
For all the talk of growing up digital, kids, tweens and teens still gravitate to the TV for the bulk of their media consumption.
However, that doesn't mean digital avenues should be neglected when marketing to the younger groups -- either products on TV or TV networks themselves.
"No matter how you slice it, people of every age group are watching more TV than ever before and the time for all the internet and digital apps isn't coming from TV -- it's coming from print, radio, other things," said Jack Wakshlag, Chief Research Officer at Turner.
In fact, in the first quarter of 2010 kids 2-11 watched 24 hours of TV each week, compared to four minutes of internet video. Teens watched about 23 hours of TV per week, compared to 10 minutes of online video, Nielsen said.
Those numbers suggest that even though online video is incredibly popular -- at billions of views a month the numbers bear that out -- it's still just a fraction of overall entertainment consumption. So while the younger generation is infinitely more digital than the kids of yesterday, they still are devoting the lion's share of their attention to TV.
Plus, the kids market has always been one of the best targeted areas in TV, simply by virtue of the existence of cable networks for kids like Nickelodeon, Cartoon and Disney, said Donna Speciale, President of Investment, Activation and Agency Operations at MediaVest. "Kids used to always be on broadcast networks on Saturday and Sunday programming. Between Nickelodeon and then Cartoon Network and Disney, they started these very niche networks completely targeted to kids. The kids landscape has done the best job for years honing in on a specific target with a specific network," she said. Networks are also catering to smaller niches of kids, such as Nick Jr. geared to kids in preschool. "They'll segment their programming so it's even more targeted and this helps brands," she said.
However, marketers would be remiss to return to the days of old and just plunk all their ad money on the tube.
That's because teens especially spend a lot of time researching products and services on the internet-- goods that they are likely to hear about from friends and from TV ads. About 34 million teens aged 12 to 19 have $176 bullion in personal purchasing power, eMarketer reported, citing statistics from youth market research firm TRU. While they often spend that money in actual stores, they are doing their due diligence about the products and services online.
That's why there should be a natural throughline between TV and the digital venues where teens are making the purchasing decisions. Social media, cell phones and online connectedness to friends plays a major role in teens' buying decisions when they are finally ready to make a purchase. A teen girl, for instance, is more likely to buy products in stores than online compared to other internet users. But she has likely used social media to glean product tips and purchase advise from friends before she pulls the trigger, eMarketer said. A Piper Jaffray survey ranked friends, TV and the internet as the most influential factors in teens' clothing purchase decisions, for instance.
So while the numbers for TV will dwarf digital figures, the digital component of any media campaign for kids or teens plays a vital role in adding connection and authenticity, said Evan Gerber, Director of Experience Design at media agency Isobar. "If you are an advertiser running a campaign on TV, where is it sending them, how consistent is the messaging from one thing to the other, and are you giving them a conversation and a story to be involved with?"
The TV message is the megaphone, but driving to a web site or online experience for information, sharing and learning is critical to marketing to this demo. "That's where you get the legs for a campaign -- online," Gerber said.
Networks too have to think about kids holistically when they're marketing shows to young viewers. Cartoon Network, as an example, invests a lot of marketing resources in gaming because kids 6-11 are heavy online gamers. "Whether addictinggames.com or platforms like that, our approach is to bring gaming to those environments by syndicating games and then promoting tune-in," said Vicky Free, VP of 360 marketing for Turner Broadcasting's Animation for young adults and kids. "We give them something they like first before hitting them with the tune-in message."
Social networking too is becoming more important for marketing and that means creating games and other viral content for kids to share. "They want to buzz about it, rate it, tell us about, so we try to give them videos to share on Facebook or tell their friends about to help promote tune-in," she said. "They are consuming media in all platforms so we need to be in all those mediums to drive the kind of scale and awareness that is required for tune in."
That's because TV is still the epicenter for kids.
"Miley Cyrus is a superstar to this demo, and it's not because of the runaway success of HannahMontana.com," said Donald Seaman, VP and director of communication analysis at media agency MPG. "Her fame and status are because she has a TV show. For all their influence, YouTube, Facebook, mobile apps, Twitter, et al have no ability to create iconic brands they're user tools that allow fans to share their fervor about their favorites. They merely allow the proselytizing to be convenient, immediate, and global. I would offer that we're in as much a Golden Age for kids' television as we ever have been.Indeed, kids are watching just about as much television as ever. It's just that the ever-present content makes the on-air programs just a small part of the bigger packaging of the media product."
Later -- Daisy
Daisy Whitney for Cynopsis Media
10.18.10
Do the math - TV is still the big kahuna when it comes to kids.
For all the talk of growing up digital, kids, tweens and teens still gravitate to the TV for the bulk of their media consumption.
However, that doesn't mean digital avenues should be neglected when marketing to the younger groups -- either products on TV or TV networks themselves.
"No matter how you slice it, people of every age group are watching more TV than ever before and the time for all the internet and digital apps isn't coming from TV -- it's coming from print, radio, other things," said Jack Wakshlag, Chief Research Officer at Turner.
In fact, in the first quarter of 2010 kids 2-11 watched 24 hours of TV each week, compared to four minutes of internet video. Teens watched about 23 hours of TV per week, compared to 10 minutes of online video, Nielsen said.
Those numbers suggest that even though online video is incredibly popular -- at billions of views a month the numbers bear that out -- it's still just a fraction of overall entertainment consumption. So while the younger generation is infinitely more digital than the kids of yesterday, they still are devoting the lion's share of their attention to TV.
Plus, the kids market has always been one of the best targeted areas in TV, simply by virtue of the existence of cable networks for kids like Nickelodeon, Cartoon and Disney, said Donna Speciale, President of Investment, Activation and Agency Operations at MediaVest. "Kids used to always be on broadcast networks on Saturday and Sunday programming. Between Nickelodeon and then Cartoon Network and Disney, they started these very niche networks completely targeted to kids. The kids landscape has done the best job for years honing in on a specific target with a specific network," she said. Networks are also catering to smaller niches of kids, such as Nick Jr. geared to kids in preschool. "They'll segment their programming so it's even more targeted and this helps brands," she said.
However, marketers would be remiss to return to the days of old and just plunk all their ad money on the tube.
That's because teens especially spend a lot of time researching products and services on the internet-- goods that they are likely to hear about from friends and from TV ads. About 34 million teens aged 12 to 19 have $176 bullion in personal purchasing power, eMarketer reported, citing statistics from youth market research firm TRU. While they often spend that money in actual stores, they are doing their due diligence about the products and services online.
That's why there should be a natural throughline between TV and the digital venues where teens are making the purchasing decisions. Social media, cell phones and online connectedness to friends plays a major role in teens' buying decisions when they are finally ready to make a purchase. A teen girl, for instance, is more likely to buy products in stores than online compared to other internet users. But she has likely used social media to glean product tips and purchase advise from friends before she pulls the trigger, eMarketer said. A Piper Jaffray survey ranked friends, TV and the internet as the most influential factors in teens' clothing purchase decisions, for instance.
So while the numbers for TV will dwarf digital figures, the digital component of any media campaign for kids or teens plays a vital role in adding connection and authenticity, said Evan Gerber, Director of Experience Design at media agency Isobar. "If you are an advertiser running a campaign on TV, where is it sending them, how consistent is the messaging from one thing to the other, and are you giving them a conversation and a story to be involved with?"
The TV message is the megaphone, but driving to a web site or online experience for information, sharing and learning is critical to marketing to this demo. "That's where you get the legs for a campaign -- online," Gerber said.
Networks too have to think about kids holistically when they're marketing shows to young viewers. Cartoon Network, as an example, invests a lot of marketing resources in gaming because kids 6-11 are heavy online gamers. "Whether addictinggames.com or platforms like that, our approach is to bring gaming to those environments by syndicating games and then promoting tune-in," said Vicky Free, VP of 360 marketing for Turner Broadcasting's Animation for young adults and kids. "We give them something they like first before hitting them with the tune-in message."
Social networking too is becoming more important for marketing and that means creating games and other viral content for kids to share. "They want to buzz about it, rate it, tell us about, so we try to give them videos to share on Facebook or tell their friends about to help promote tune-in," she said. "They are consuming media in all platforms so we need to be in all those mediums to drive the kind of scale and awareness that is required for tune in."
That's because TV is still the epicenter for kids.
"Miley Cyrus is a superstar to this demo, and it's not because of the runaway success of HannahMontana.com," said Donald Seaman, VP and director of communication analysis at media agency MPG. "Her fame and status are because she has a TV show. For all their influence, YouTube, Facebook, mobile apps, Twitter, et al have no ability to create iconic brands they're user tools that allow fans to share their fervor about their favorites. They merely allow the proselytizing to be convenient, immediate, and global. I would offer that we're in as much a Golden Age for kids' television as we ever have been.Indeed, kids are watching just about as much television as ever. It's just that the ever-present content makes the on-air programs just a small part of the bigger packaging of the media product."
Later -- Daisy
Daisy Whitney for Cynopsis Media
10.18.10
Friday, October 15, 2010
WGBH and PBS Kids partner with Annie Leonard
WGBH and PBS Kids partner with Annie Leonard on the new web-based series Loop Scoops (eight short videos), which will launch Monday, October 18 at pbskids.org/loopscoops ( www.pbskids.org/loopscoops ).
Targeted to K6-9/families/educators, Loop Scoop is designed to encourage kids to think about stuff in our lives (e.g. juice boxes, game device, magazines) and ask "Where does it come from? What is it made of? What happens to it when it's thrown away?, and after getting answers to make choices based on what they learn. Loop Scoops builds of the Story of Stuff animated video, written/hosted by Leonard, which illustrates the lifecycle of material items. Educational resources based on the Loop Scoops videos will be available via teachersdomain.org ( www.teachersdomain.org ) in late November.
Loop Scoops comes from the producers of Zoom and Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman. Funding for the Loop Scoops project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Targeted to K6-9/families/educators, Loop Scoop is designed to encourage kids to think about stuff in our lives (e.g. juice boxes, game device, magazines) and ask "Where does it come from? What is it made of? What happens to it when it's thrown away?, and after getting answers to make choices based on what they learn. Loop Scoops builds of the Story of Stuff animated video, written/hosted by Leonard, which illustrates the lifecycle of material items. Educational resources based on the Loop Scoops videos will be available via teachersdomain.org ( www.teachersdomain.org ) in late November.
Loop Scoops comes from the producers of Zoom and Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman. Funding for the Loop Scoops project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Brought To You By The Letters P, B And S
by Karen Herman , Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Southern Californians were shocked last week when public TV station KCET announced it would not renew its affiliation with PBS. The 46-year-old station will remain noncommercial, but will not run PBS programming. The station argues that its upcoming $7 million dues are too much of a budget strain. After months of negotiation, a deal couldn't be reached.
What does this mean for PBS fans? Come Jan. 1st, you won't find "Sesame Street" in Los Angeles! OK, that's improbable; there are three smaller public TV stations at-the-ready. KCET, if it takes its new job seriously, is in a sink-or-swim position where it must provide programming specific to the needs of Los Angeles' diverse community.
It is without question that other PBS affiliates will be facing similar budget constraints, making the KCET incident a potential precursor to the sea change in distribution methods that lies ahead. For PBS, this multimillion-dollar hit could be a blessing in disguise, forcing the company to more seriously explore alternatives methods to reach their audience -- namely, their lagging digital initiatives. The Internet is, after all, the publishing and broadcasting beacon of free public thought and enterprise.
Like all media entities, public television is in the midst of recreating its identity. Recently, a new mission statement was created by the leadership of Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, National Public Radio, and the Association of Public Television Stations. It touts a vocabulary shift from "public broadcasting" to "public media":
"Public media informs, educates, and inspires by providing content that sustains the civic and cultural life of society. Public media is universally accessible, free from commercial or political pressure, and used by millions of Americans on all platforms including television, radio and on-line.
Going forward, public media - from our local radio and television stations to our national organizations - is building on the hard-earned trust and goodwill of our audience by becoming even more diverse, networked, nimble, innovative, and focused on serving the needs of our changing society.
With the support of the American people, we will continue to evolve as creators, curators and connectors on the local and national level in order to fulfill our mission of informing communities, enriching our culture, and inspiring dialogue."
Of course, in the next paragraph, the consortium backtracks to the importance of broadcast:
"For the foreseeable future, given Public Media's mission to bring service to all of the citizens of the United States, over-the-air broadcasting will remain critical. In fact, millions of households still rely on over-the-air reception to view public television, including many with limited distribution alternatives or limited resources to spend on subscription services.
....Whether received over-the-air or by cable or satellite, in addition to its ubiquitous reach utilizing technology and facilities across the country, broadcasting will continue to be a very cost effective medium for reaching mass audiences.
In fact, the Public Media system could not afford to stream its content to all its viewers and listeners due to the cost of bandwidth. As a result, public media organizations are mixing their distribution capabilities, making smart investments that integrate broadcast, online and mobile platforms in a seamless experience for the American public."
Fair enough. PBS' video portal has improved, but is limited in content and tends to follow, rather than lead, in terms of site-building. Here's an opportunity for PBS and company to engage visionaries (maybe ones that are reinventing television and trying not to "do evil") to integrate a true online PBS portal into TV's next iteration. As a noncommercial venture, it can still use its trademark "brought to you by" funding approach.
With IP addresses, content can be limited to geographic regions devoid of PBS carriers so that independent stations can survive. This online entity then could solicit funding and in-kind donations to bring broadband and emerging technologies carrying this new network into underserved homes. Isn't that really the mission of "public media"?
Face it, kids without digital savvy are already behind. Sure, "Sesame Street" is an amazing teaching tool, but it premiered 41 years ago. Things have changed and "public media" needs to change with it. More and more teens and twentysomethings don't even own TVs, meaning their kids will be nurtured on broadband.
As Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of "Sesame Street," said in her Archive interview, "You wouldn't say let's put in ten minutes of entertainment and ten minutes of education. Every piece of education would be entertaining and every piece of entertainment would be educational." Shouldn't we expect the same today?
Of course this is a very simplistic version. There's an alphabet soup of agencies, affiliates, funders and producers to worry about. But, it's clear that public broadcasters, like their commercial counterparts, have the opportunity and responsibility to innovate.
Southern Californians were shocked last week when public TV station KCET announced it would not renew its affiliation with PBS. The 46-year-old station will remain noncommercial, but will not run PBS programming. The station argues that its upcoming $7 million dues are too much of a budget strain. After months of negotiation, a deal couldn't be reached.
What does this mean for PBS fans? Come Jan. 1st, you won't find "Sesame Street" in Los Angeles! OK, that's improbable; there are three smaller public TV stations at-the-ready. KCET, if it takes its new job seriously, is in a sink-or-swim position where it must provide programming specific to the needs of Los Angeles' diverse community.
It is without question that other PBS affiliates will be facing similar budget constraints, making the KCET incident a potential precursor to the sea change in distribution methods that lies ahead. For PBS, this multimillion-dollar hit could be a blessing in disguise, forcing the company to more seriously explore alternatives methods to reach their audience -- namely, their lagging digital initiatives. The Internet is, after all, the publishing and broadcasting beacon of free public thought and enterprise.
Like all media entities, public television is in the midst of recreating its identity. Recently, a new mission statement was created by the leadership of Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, National Public Radio, and the Association of Public Television Stations. It touts a vocabulary shift from "public broadcasting" to "public media":
"Public media informs, educates, and inspires by providing content that sustains the civic and cultural life of society. Public media is universally accessible, free from commercial or political pressure, and used by millions of Americans on all platforms including television, radio and on-line.
Going forward, public media - from our local radio and television stations to our national organizations - is building on the hard-earned trust and goodwill of our audience by becoming even more diverse, networked, nimble, innovative, and focused on serving the needs of our changing society.
With the support of the American people, we will continue to evolve as creators, curators and connectors on the local and national level in order to fulfill our mission of informing communities, enriching our culture, and inspiring dialogue."
Of course, in the next paragraph, the consortium backtracks to the importance of broadcast:
"For the foreseeable future, given Public Media's mission to bring service to all of the citizens of the United States, over-the-air broadcasting will remain critical. In fact, millions of households still rely on over-the-air reception to view public television, including many with limited distribution alternatives or limited resources to spend on subscription services.
....Whether received over-the-air or by cable or satellite, in addition to its ubiquitous reach utilizing technology and facilities across the country, broadcasting will continue to be a very cost effective medium for reaching mass audiences.
In fact, the Public Media system could not afford to stream its content to all its viewers and listeners due to the cost of bandwidth. As a result, public media organizations are mixing their distribution capabilities, making smart investments that integrate broadcast, online and mobile platforms in a seamless experience for the American public."
Fair enough. PBS' video portal has improved, but is limited in content and tends to follow, rather than lead, in terms of site-building. Here's an opportunity for PBS and company to engage visionaries (maybe ones that are reinventing television and trying not to "do evil") to integrate a true online PBS portal into TV's next iteration. As a noncommercial venture, it can still use its trademark "brought to you by" funding approach.
With IP addresses, content can be limited to geographic regions devoid of PBS carriers so that independent stations can survive. This online entity then could solicit funding and in-kind donations to bring broadband and emerging technologies carrying this new network into underserved homes. Isn't that really the mission of "public media"?
Face it, kids without digital savvy are already behind. Sure, "Sesame Street" is an amazing teaching tool, but it premiered 41 years ago. Things have changed and "public media" needs to change with it. More and more teens and twentysomethings don't even own TVs, meaning their kids will be nurtured on broadband.
As Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of "Sesame Street," said in her Archive interview, "You wouldn't say let's put in ten minutes of entertainment and ten minutes of education. Every piece of education would be entertaining and every piece of entertainment would be educational." Shouldn't we expect the same today?
Of course this is a very simplistic version. There's an alphabet soup of agencies, affiliates, funders and producers to worry about. But, it's clear that public broadcasters, like their commercial counterparts, have the opportunity and responsibility to innovate.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sept. 28th news
Paul Kontonis, Eric Korsh and Teal Newland have joined digital agency Digitas as VP/Group Directors, Content Strategy and Development, overseeing the company's The Third Act content platform (which launched to Real Women of Philadelphia campaign for Kraft.)
Paul comes over from Edelman's MATTER agency, Eric joins from Scout Productions and Teal formerly worked on branded entertainment for 60Frames.
This week marks the launch of PBS Kids Go! Digital Citizenship Initiative, which features a suite of new resources designed to help kids and parents steer their way through the digital world.
The initiative includes the debut of the new interactive game Webonauts Internet Academy ( www.pbskidsgo.org/webonauts), which is free, aims to educate kids about online privacy, how to deal with bullying and identify credible online sources.
Supporting information for parents can be found at PBSParents.org ( www.pbsparents.org ), which includes Common Sense Media's tips for kids' internet use. The debut of Digital Citizenship Initiative coincides with National Cyber Security Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, both in October.
Little Airplane Productions completes further deals for The Olive Branch (26x1), a short-form film preschool series produced by Little Airplane's new non-profit Little Light Foundation ( www.littlelightfoundation.org ).
Picking up The Olive Branch is Disney Australia, British Forces Broadcasting Service Television, Canal+ Multithematiques (France), SVT (Sweden), OXO (Macedonia), NRK (Norway), and WorldKids Foundation (India). The series focuses on two characters that live in the same olive tree and each episode must find ways to resolve their differences and get along.
The Olive Branch debuted on June 1, 2010 on Nick Jr. in the US, with an exclusive six-month window for the first three episodes, as well as on a non-exclusive on Nickelodeon networks globally.
The series has also been acquired by KidsCo Worldwide. Little Airplane is offering the series broadcasters for one unit of their own currency per episode, though broadcasters are invited to make tax-deductible contributions to help cover production costs. The series is endorsed by Deepak Chopra, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and UNICEF.
Nelvana Enterprises will attend Mipcom this fall with several new series on its slate:
Frankly and Friends (26x30, 52x11) targeted to preschoolers the new CGI animated series features Franklin the turtle. The series is a co-production from Canada's Nelvana and Singapore's Infinite Frameworks.
Frankly celebrates his 25th anniversary in 2011.
Mr. Young (26x30) the sitcom follows Adam Young, a 14-year-old genius who is currently in grad school and also starting work as a high school science teacher.
Targeted to kids and tweens, Mr. Young comes from writer Dan Signer (The Suite life of Zack and Cody, The Suite Life On Deck) and is produced by British Columbia-based Thunderbird Films in association with Corus Entertainment's YTV (Canada). The series will debuts on YTV in spring 2011.
Scaredy Squirrel (26x30, 52x11) targeted to K6-11, this 2D animated series is based on the book series by Melanie Watt. Produced by Nelvana, Scaredy Squirrel will premiere on YTV (Canada) in 2011.
Nelvana will also showcase a range of other programs including Life with Boys, Mike the Knight, Sidekick, Detentionaire, Babar and the Adventures of Badou, Beyblade: Metal Masters, Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge, and Hot Wheels Battle Force 5: Fused.
Paul comes over from Edelman's MATTER agency, Eric joins from Scout Productions and Teal formerly worked on branded entertainment for 60Frames.
This week marks the launch of PBS Kids Go! Digital Citizenship Initiative, which features a suite of new resources designed to help kids and parents steer their way through the digital world.
The initiative includes the debut of the new interactive game Webonauts Internet Academy ( www.pbskidsgo.org/webonauts), which is free, aims to educate kids about online privacy, how to deal with bullying and identify credible online sources.
Supporting information for parents can be found at PBSParents.org ( www.pbsparents.org ), which includes Common Sense Media's tips for kids' internet use. The debut of Digital Citizenship Initiative coincides with National Cyber Security Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, both in October.
Little Airplane Productions completes further deals for The Olive Branch (26x1), a short-form film preschool series produced by Little Airplane's new non-profit Little Light Foundation ( www.littlelightfoundation.org ).
Picking up The Olive Branch is Disney Australia, British Forces Broadcasting Service Television, Canal+ Multithematiques (France), SVT (Sweden), OXO (Macedonia), NRK (Norway), and WorldKids Foundation (India). The series focuses on two characters that live in the same olive tree and each episode must find ways to resolve their differences and get along.
The Olive Branch debuted on June 1, 2010 on Nick Jr. in the US, with an exclusive six-month window for the first three episodes, as well as on a non-exclusive on Nickelodeon networks globally.
The series has also been acquired by KidsCo Worldwide. Little Airplane is offering the series broadcasters for one unit of their own currency per episode, though broadcasters are invited to make tax-deductible contributions to help cover production costs. The series is endorsed by Deepak Chopra, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and UNICEF.
Nelvana Enterprises will attend Mipcom this fall with several new series on its slate:
Frankly and Friends (26x30, 52x11) targeted to preschoolers the new CGI animated series features Franklin the turtle. The series is a co-production from Canada's Nelvana and Singapore's Infinite Frameworks.
Frankly celebrates his 25th anniversary in 2011.
Mr. Young (26x30) the sitcom follows Adam Young, a 14-year-old genius who is currently in grad school and also starting work as a high school science teacher.
Targeted to kids and tweens, Mr. Young comes from writer Dan Signer (The Suite life of Zack and Cody, The Suite Life On Deck) and is produced by British Columbia-based Thunderbird Films in association with Corus Entertainment's YTV (Canada). The series will debuts on YTV in spring 2011.
Scaredy Squirrel (26x30, 52x11) targeted to K6-11, this 2D animated series is based on the book series by Melanie Watt. Produced by Nelvana, Scaredy Squirrel will premiere on YTV (Canada) in 2011.
Nelvana will also showcase a range of other programs including Life with Boys, Mike the Knight, Sidekick, Detentionaire, Babar and the Adventures of Badou, Beyblade: Metal Masters, Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge, and Hot Wheels Battle Force 5: Fused.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
What Entertains Kids On Mobile
Laurie Sullivan, Sep 20, 2010 11:33 PM
The majority of mobile entertainment devices used by parents and kids host less than 20 apps geared toward children, but about 7% host more than 60 apps for a child, according to The NPD Group Kids' Mobile Entertainment & Apps study released Monday.
Gaming is the most popular type of app downloaded, with the average mobile device used by a child containing approximately 10 game-related apps. Music ranked No. 2.
When it comes to overall downloads, however, music dominates and games moves to the No. 2 spot. Video steps in at No. 3.
Music makes up more than half of all downloads and about 61% of all child-related downloads to a mobile entertainment device. The remaining types of downloads, including ringtones, TV shows and movies, comprise less than 10% of all downloading activity.
Three top themes emerged in the study that keep kids coming back for more, and parents agreeing to allow the kids to download, listen to music and play games. Anita Frazier, industry analyst at The NPD Group, says these themes include the love of music, laughter to keep kids entertained, and fun and addicting applications. "Parents are more willing to pay for apps when they think their kids will use them a lot," she says.
Connecting with friends through social elements also attracts kids. "We all know you're supposed to be 13 and over to use Facebook, but all of us know plenty of kids under that age with Facebook accounts," she says. "The social aspects are appealing to many kids."
The ability to download content or listen to music at no charge continues to entice consumers, especially kids. Seventy-five percent of respondents say free is the highest motivating factor driving app downloads. Other motivators include recommendations by family and friends, the request from the child for the app, and the app's affiliation with a character or personality.
About 82% of all apps downloaded for children are free. Those who purchase apps for children say they're willing to spend almost twice as much as they do. And the willingness to spend more rises as the child increases in age.
Despite some prevailing notions that many apps are used once and then deleted or forgotten, most kids will reuse the same app many times. Only about 1% reported abandoning apps after one use. A child might spend on average slightly more than 20 minutes at a time, but this varies by gender and age, Frazier says.
Most kids use the app multiple times, rather than just once, or only a few times, Frazier says. "Parents told us their kids are using the apps 'over and over,'" she says.
Frazier says the study didn't measure whether the parent became a motivating factor to the child downloading and using the app, but NPD found that apps downloaded to devices owned by the child created more motivation compared with those downloaded to parent-owned devices.
"For devices owned by the parent, but that the child uses, 'it's educational' became a much more motivating factor" when trying to sell the kid on the application, Frazier says. Friends and family recommendations also help to motivate the child into using the application.
Final data includes 1,043 completed surveys from parents who have kids 0 to age 14 using either iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BlackBerry or another smartphone. The survey was conducted between June 18 and July 28, 2010.
The majority of mobile entertainment devices used by parents and kids host less than 20 apps geared toward children, but about 7% host more than 60 apps for a child, according to The NPD Group Kids' Mobile Entertainment & Apps study released Monday.
Gaming is the most popular type of app downloaded, with the average mobile device used by a child containing approximately 10 game-related apps. Music ranked No. 2.
When it comes to overall downloads, however, music dominates and games moves to the No. 2 spot. Video steps in at No. 3.
Music makes up more than half of all downloads and about 61% of all child-related downloads to a mobile entertainment device. The remaining types of downloads, including ringtones, TV shows and movies, comprise less than 10% of all downloading activity.
Three top themes emerged in the study that keep kids coming back for more, and parents agreeing to allow the kids to download, listen to music and play games. Anita Frazier, industry analyst at The NPD Group, says these themes include the love of music, laughter to keep kids entertained, and fun and addicting applications. "Parents are more willing to pay for apps when they think their kids will use them a lot," she says.
Connecting with friends through social elements also attracts kids. "We all know you're supposed to be 13 and over to use Facebook, but all of us know plenty of kids under that age with Facebook accounts," she says. "The social aspects are appealing to many kids."
The ability to download content or listen to music at no charge continues to entice consumers, especially kids. Seventy-five percent of respondents say free is the highest motivating factor driving app downloads. Other motivators include recommendations by family and friends, the request from the child for the app, and the app's affiliation with a character or personality.
About 82% of all apps downloaded for children are free. Those who purchase apps for children say they're willing to spend almost twice as much as they do. And the willingness to spend more rises as the child increases in age.
Despite some prevailing notions that many apps are used once and then deleted or forgotten, most kids will reuse the same app many times. Only about 1% reported abandoning apps after one use. A child might spend on average slightly more than 20 minutes at a time, but this varies by gender and age, Frazier says.
Most kids use the app multiple times, rather than just once, or only a few times, Frazier says. "Parents told us their kids are using the apps 'over and over,'" she says.
Frazier says the study didn't measure whether the parent became a motivating factor to the child downloading and using the app, but NPD found that apps downloaded to devices owned by the child created more motivation compared with those downloaded to parent-owned devices.
"For devices owned by the parent, but that the child uses, 'it's educational' became a much more motivating factor" when trying to sell the kid on the application, Frazier says. Friends and family recommendations also help to motivate the child into using the application.
Final data includes 1,043 completed surveys from parents who have kids 0 to age 14 using either iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BlackBerry or another smartphone. The survey was conducted between June 18 and July 28, 2010.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Study: Kids Are Web Experts, But Still Tripped Up By Ads
Mark Walsh, Sep 13, 2010 08:28 PM
A new report by usability experts Nielsen Norman Group confirms what many adults, especially parents, probably already know: that kids are skilled Web users before turning 10.
It's not uncommon today for children as young as nine to be as capable as adults when it comes to navigating the Web, according to the 262-page study released Monday and based on testing with 90 kids ages 3 to 12 who interacted with 53 sites geared to children and three sites for general audiences.
That wasn't always the case. When Nielsen Norman conducted its first study of kids' Web use in 2001, it found that children ages 7-12 weren't necessarily the computer whizzes people commonly assumed. But with kids being introduced to the Internet at earlier and earlier stages, children in that age bracket are now seasoned Web hands, while their three- to six-year-old counterparts are the ones stumbling to find their way.
Even then, "some 3-year-olds are very good at using the Internet," said Raluca Budiu, lead researcher on the report, in an interview Monday. But kids still aren't so savvy when it comes to recognizing the difference between ads and editorial content online. With marketers increasingly trying to blur the line between advertising and content online for adults, it's hardly surprising that kids can fail to separate the two.
But unlike adults, children -- especially those under the age of six -- were unaware of the concept of advertising, while older kids may know about ads but couldn't always distinguish them. "Even when words such as 'ad' or 'advertisement' marked the ads, some of the children still clicked on them, thinking they were legitimate content," states the report.
Sites should be providing more prominent notice of advertising by making the ad markers large enough for children to see in display ads and by explicitly saying when an ad appears at the start of a video. The study cites pre-roll ads on the Cartoon Network that ran before video-centric games and confused children because the word "Advertisement" appeared in tiny print at the top of the screen.
The study recommends that ads aimed at children avoid calls to action like "Click here" or "Play now" because they are likely to grab kids' attention away from page content without the understanding that they are clicking on an ad. That might sound like a marketer's dream, but Nielsen Norman suggests that's not necessarily the case:
"When children click on ads, they often get to content that is not appropriate for them (for instance, it may have a lot of text, or it may be just different than what they were hoping to find), and thus they might feel disappointed and cheated. Often, the bad experience on the ad site reflects upon the original site, and children decide to go somewhere else." So irresponsible marketing backfires.
The study also advises that ads should have consistent placement on the right side of a page, as on sites for adults, to help children distinguish between ads and content and learn that clicking on the right side could take them to a different site. The children's site Funbrain, for instance, ran ads that sometimes appeared on the right, and at other times in the center of the page, creating confusion.
Once kids have clicked on ads, they should be clearly warned they are leaving the Web site with a dialog-type box in the middle of the screen, with options to continue or go back. Nielsen Norman found that many sites still didn't provide adequate notice, but many more did than in its original study nine years ago. Discovery Kids was among the sites that did a better job of indicating to young users that they were exiting the site after clicking an ad.
In what seems like advice that could lead to confusion, the study suggests matching ads closely to site content. The reasoning is that if kids see ads containing content not geared to their age group, they assume the site would not interest them either. Most sites matched ads to content well, although there were exceptions, like an ad on Neopets for AT&T U-verse -- a service for adults.
Government-mandated rules for online marketing to children include the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires Web sites to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children, including their names, home addresses, email addresses, or hobbies.
The FTC also works with the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, which publishes self-regulatory guides for children's advertising.
A new report by usability experts Nielsen Norman Group confirms what many adults, especially parents, probably already know: that kids are skilled Web users before turning 10.
It's not uncommon today for children as young as nine to be as capable as adults when it comes to navigating the Web, according to the 262-page study released Monday and based on testing with 90 kids ages 3 to 12 who interacted with 53 sites geared to children and three sites for general audiences.
That wasn't always the case. When Nielsen Norman conducted its first study of kids' Web use in 2001, it found that children ages 7-12 weren't necessarily the computer whizzes people commonly assumed. But with kids being introduced to the Internet at earlier and earlier stages, children in that age bracket are now seasoned Web hands, while their three- to six-year-old counterparts are the ones stumbling to find their way.
Even then, "some 3-year-olds are very good at using the Internet," said Raluca Budiu, lead researcher on the report, in an interview Monday. But kids still aren't so savvy when it comes to recognizing the difference between ads and editorial content online. With marketers increasingly trying to blur the line between advertising and content online for adults, it's hardly surprising that kids can fail to separate the two.
But unlike adults, children -- especially those under the age of six -- were unaware of the concept of advertising, while older kids may know about ads but couldn't always distinguish them. "Even when words such as 'ad' or 'advertisement' marked the ads, some of the children still clicked on them, thinking they were legitimate content," states the report.
Sites should be providing more prominent notice of advertising by making the ad markers large enough for children to see in display ads and by explicitly saying when an ad appears at the start of a video. The study cites pre-roll ads on the Cartoon Network that ran before video-centric games and confused children because the word "Advertisement" appeared in tiny print at the top of the screen.
The study recommends that ads aimed at children avoid calls to action like "Click here" or "Play now" because they are likely to grab kids' attention away from page content without the understanding that they are clicking on an ad. That might sound like a marketer's dream, but Nielsen Norman suggests that's not necessarily the case:
"When children click on ads, they often get to content that is not appropriate for them (for instance, it may have a lot of text, or it may be just different than what they were hoping to find), and thus they might feel disappointed and cheated. Often, the bad experience on the ad site reflects upon the original site, and children decide to go somewhere else." So irresponsible marketing backfires.
The study also advises that ads should have consistent placement on the right side of a page, as on sites for adults, to help children distinguish between ads and content and learn that clicking on the right side could take them to a different site. The children's site Funbrain, for instance, ran ads that sometimes appeared on the right, and at other times in the center of the page, creating confusion.
Once kids have clicked on ads, they should be clearly warned they are leaving the Web site with a dialog-type box in the middle of the screen, with options to continue or go back. Nielsen Norman found that many sites still didn't provide adequate notice, but many more did than in its original study nine years ago. Discovery Kids was among the sites that did a better job of indicating to young users that they were exiting the site after clicking an ad.
In what seems like advice that could lead to confusion, the study suggests matching ads closely to site content. The reasoning is that if kids see ads containing content not geared to their age group, they assume the site would not interest them either. Most sites matched ads to content well, although there were exceptions, like an ad on Neopets for AT&T U-verse -- a service for adults.
Government-mandated rules for online marketing to children include the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires Web sites to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children, including their names, home addresses, email addresses, or hobbies.
The FTC also works with the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, which publishes self-regulatory guides for children's advertising.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Some Spanish language news
US-based Hispanic broadcaster Vme launches Vme Kids, a new US channel specifically targeted to preschoolers, for whom Spanish is their home language, and their families.
The new 24/7 channel launches on AT&T U-verse, with further carriage deals in the works, featuring a programming lineup including Dibo (the Dinosaur), Los Difraces de Dougie (Dougie in Disguise), Los Supernumeros (Numberjacks), Bruno y los amigos Banana (Bruno & the Banana Bunch) andCinco Minutos Mas (Five Minutes More), LazyTown, Jim de la Luna, Musti, 7 Pets, Pororo and Connie la Vaquita (Connie the Cow), among others.
Vme is supporting its carriage partners with local marketing events including book tours with its sister company, Santillana USA and a LazyTown Live! school tour. The new preschool channel will feature programs and interstitials designed to help kids use their Spanish language skills and vocabulary in English, as well as providing parents with activities to reinforce what their kids are learning on screen.
Vme will continue to offer its daily kid-targeted programming block on the Vme network.
Canada's Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group and Brazil's Mixer are teaming up to develop the new interactive preschool animated series, Vivi, for TVO(Canada). The series will feature a mix of 2D cut-out animation and live-action.
Vivi follows the travels of an artistic girl, Vivi, and her grandmother, during which Vivi creates interesting souvenirs and scrapbook from the various cultures and locations she visits. Mixer will produce the animation, while Skywriter designs the interactive online component for the property.
Vivi has received funding from the Brazilian program, AnimaTV, which aims to stimulate animation development in Brazil.
The new 24/7 channel launches on AT&T U-verse, with further carriage deals in the works, featuring a programming lineup including Dibo (the Dinosaur), Los Difraces de Dougie (Dougie in Disguise), Los Supernumeros (Numberjacks), Bruno y los amigos Banana (Bruno & the Banana Bunch) andCinco Minutos Mas (Five Minutes More), LazyTown, Jim de la Luna, Musti, 7 Pets, Pororo and Connie la Vaquita (Connie the Cow), among others.
Vme is supporting its carriage partners with local marketing events including book tours with its sister company, Santillana USA and a LazyTown Live! school tour. The new preschool channel will feature programs and interstitials designed to help kids use their Spanish language skills and vocabulary in English, as well as providing parents with activities to reinforce what their kids are learning on screen.
Vme will continue to offer its daily kid-targeted programming block on the Vme network.
Canada's Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group and Brazil's Mixer are teaming up to develop the new interactive preschool animated series, Vivi, for TVO(Canada). The series will feature a mix of 2D cut-out animation and live-action.
Vivi follows the travels of an artistic girl, Vivi, and her grandmother, during which Vivi creates interesting souvenirs and scrapbook from the various cultures and locations she visits. Mixer will produce the animation, while Skywriter designs the interactive online component for the property.
Vivi has received funding from the Brazilian program, AnimaTV, which aims to stimulate animation development in Brazil.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
So much Kids media action!
Alloy Media + Marketing has teamed with Kmart on its new webseries, First Day ( www.firstdaytheseries.com), which premieres today on the multiplatform digital networkAlloyTV ( www.alloytv.com ).
Created by Alloy Entertainment (Pretty Little Liars, Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl), a division of Alloy Media + Marketing, First Day will air bi-weekly. Targeted to tweens and teens, the webseries follows a teen girl as she relives the first day of school over and over and over.
Alloy and Kmart put together scripts that showcase Kmart's exclusive fashion brands throughout the eight episode series. Kmart and its retail brands will get extended promotion during the run of the series, with additional media featured throughout the Alloy Digital Network and Alloy's Channel One Network.
Kmart will offer viewers a shopping component in each episode of First Day, during which its fashions will be featured and through a link they can then click and jump to the items on Kmart.com.
Evolve Media is announcing of the formation of its branded entertainment division - Springboard Studios - slated to produce close to 1,000 original video segments this year distributed across Evolve-repped sites as well as sites owned by the company's publishing arm, AtomicOnline (which oversees SheKnows, CraveOnline, GameRevolution, etc.)
Recent Springboard branded entertainment shows include reality decorator series Home Stretch and in-laws reality show Families Collide for SheKnows and Fanboy Fun House for CraveOnline.
Meredith Corp.'s BIG Communications
imbee, a tween-centric social media company, launches Drew ( http://drew.imbee.com ), a new pop culture news site for tweens.
Drew, which by the way stands for the Dopest, Realist, Epic, Wrap-up, will feature anything and everything in entertainment, tech gadgets, sports, style and anything else important to tweens.
With a graffiti style logo, Drew aims to provide news on all these areas by getting information directly from sources and offer a story behind the story/headline/photograph.
Keith O'Brien is named Sales Manager/Non-Linear Digital Media, BabyTV. O'Brien will oversee the commercial development of the BabyTV brand worldwide across non-linear digital media, which includes SVOD, video search platforms, Smart phone, mobile, syndication, gaming, social networking sites, among others.
He previously served as a Sales Executive with Sony Pictures Television, and an Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie - Disney Channel - Salty Pictures
Peter Murrieta, Executive Producer
Kevin Lafferty, Produced By
Mondo TV, an animation producer/distributor, signs a US$6.7 million production pact with Visual Picnic and Licensing Works to produce the 2D animated preschool series, Playtime Buddies (52x13).
Produced in HD, Playtime Buddies will be showcased at MipJunior this October 2-3, 2010. Mondo TV will head production and worldwide TV and home video distribution, and has also been named licensing agent for the property in Italy.
MEG Toys has been granted the master toy license worldwide and distribute toys based on the series following its debut in each territory.
Visual Picnic owns the property, which was created by Erik DePrince. Licensing Works represents the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for Playtime Buddies.
CBeebies (UK) acquires Uki (52x2), the first preschool animated series developed by record label Universal Music UK. The series will debut on CBeebies early next month as part of the channel's Show Me Show Me program.
Universal Music UK will handle licensing for the series. Created by Patrick Busschots and Peter Decraene of Universal Music's Belgium office, the series revolves around the daily adventures of Uki ( www.ukiland.com ), a happy little yellow character with endless curiosity and sense of fun, and his friends. Already picked up in a number of countries, Uki is currently airing in Belgium on kid's channels Ketnet and Club RTL, with books, DVDs, greeting cards and plush toys set to be available there from October.
BBC Worldwide will offer Uki at MipJunior this year. Uki was the winning project in the Pitch It award at the 2008 Kidscreen Summit.
MarVista Entertainment acquires the worldwide distribution rights for the feature film Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, which is based on Lois Leppard's kid-targeted book of the same name, from Lost World Pictures.
Under the original previously announced pact, MarVista picked up the global rights to license the first movie in the series, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, with an option for the next four movies.
MarVista will showcase Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, as well as the first movie, at Mipcom this fall. Set in the early 1900s, there are 40+ titles in Leppard's Mandie book series. Produced and directed by Lost World's Owen Smith and Joy Chapman, also the rights owners, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure stars TV/screen/stage actor Dean Jones (The Love Bug, That Darn Cat and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Company), Lexi Johnson (Sugar Creek Gang) and William Yelton (Hounddog, John Adams, One Tree Hill).
The third season of Scholastic Media's animated series WordGirl will debut on PBS Kids Go! beginning September 13, 2010 (check local listings). Produced by Scholastic's animation studio Soup2Nuts, features a voiceover cast including new and returning cast members Kristen Schaal (Toy Story 3, The Flight of the Conchords, Modern Family), John Henson (Wipe Out), Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development, The Hangover 2), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), John C. McGinley (Scrubs), and Dannah Phirman (MadTV) as WordGirl, Chris Parnell (SNL, 30 Rock) as the Narrator, as well as Maria Bamford (Kick Buttowski) as Mrs. Botsford, among others.
Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun's Berman Braun Productions penned a deal with Starcom MediaVest Group giving the agency's clients a first-look sponsorship option for all of the producer's online content, per AllThingsD. The deal, involving brands such as Wal-Mart, P&G and Coke, could be worth north of $100 million.
Discovery's TLC.com is partnering with Volkswagen to promote the Routan minivan in a multifaceted campaign, with the automaker exclusively sponsoring family travel content on the site and the van being featured in an original web series dubbed " The Great Getaway.”
Beyond Distribution will debuts its new preschool property Toybox (75x30) at MipJunior in Cannes, October 2-3. Created by Ian Munro and Ron Saunders (Hi-5, New MacDonald's Farm, Bananas in Pyjamas, Magic Mountain and Milly, Molly), Toybox is designed to encourage kids to use their imagination and get up and dancing to music.
The series follows the adventures of a group of toy friends and the mischief and fun they have when they are left alone and come to life. Created with the assistance of childhood development experts, each episode features segments where the characters and audience discovers things together. Among the cast members is actress Brittany Byrnes (Babe).
Director/producer Ivan Reitman is developing a movie based on The Kid Table, an upcoming young adult novel from author Andrea Seigel, per Coming Soon. Reitman will produce the movie and writer Justin Adler (Better Off Ted, Less Than Perfect, Futurama) is adapting the book for the movie.
The Kid Table, set for release from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books on September 14, 2010, revolves around Ingrid and her group of siblings and cousins who have long been seated at the kid's table at family functions ... until the oldest is promoted to the adult table causing some consternation for the rest of the gang, particularly Ingrid.
Disney Channel will offer a North American sneak peek at Aardman Animation's preschool stop-motion animated series Timmy Time ( www.timmytime.tv ) on September 7. Following the preview Timmy Time get its official debut on the channel on September 13.
The series is based on characters in Aardman's series Shaun the Sheep, which runs also runs on Disney Channel. Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment will handle DVD distribution for the series here, with the first title slated for release in early 2011. Additionally, the Timmy Time toy line from Jakks Pacific will launch in spring 2011.
Tween Reporters: The girl tween/teen-targeted AllyKatzz.com ( www.allykatzz.com ) will re-launch this September and is looking for as many as 50 girls from around the world to serve as reporters for the site.
Girls that want to find out about the first set of tween reporters or are interested in becoming a reporter can do so at allykatzz.com.
Family Channel (Canada) gives the go ahead on three new live-action comedy series, each with multiplatform opportunities and all of which will premiere in spring 2011.
Decidedly Debra (13x30) - the series follows Debra, a vivacious teen with her own style and attitude, and her pal Preston as Debra sets out to star her own business. Produced byCookie Jar Entertainment, Decidedly Debra is created by Andrew Nicolls and Darrel Vickers (writers on Jimmy Neutron, Fairly OddParents, Back at the Barnyard)
Really Me (13x30) - When friends Maddy and Julia get their own reality TV series the girls dream of endorsement deals and all the perks they think will go along with the show ... but ... with a pushy producer, over zealous family members, and 24/7 coverage of their every move things are exactly how they'd imagined. Created by Tom McGillis and Jennifer Pertsch, the series is produced by Fresh TV.
What's Up, Warthogs! (100x5)- the short-form series revolves around a group of teens looking to make their school's morning announcements an entertainment news show. The series will initially rollout on Family.ca (www.family.ca) prior to premiering on the network. Produced by Aircraft Pictures with Dolphin Entertainment's Bill O'Dowd executive producing, the series is created by Alex Diaz and Julie Sagalowsky. The writing team is led by Dean Batali (That 70s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Discovery Education ( www.discoveryeducation.com) enters into a new deal with The Jim Henson Company that will see the entire preschool Sid the Science Kid(40x30) available via Discovery Education Science for Elementary in the next few months. The animated series, which airs on PBS Kids, is based on national science learning standards and the preschool science curriculum, Preschool Pathways to Science.
Sid the Science Kid revolves around a kid named Sid and his adventures during which he finds answers to questions using basic science principles. Additionally, Discovery Education will add 51 news segments from PBS NewsHour, produced by MacNeil Lehrer Productions, for high school students by the end of year.
Finally, Discovery Education will add 16 new streaming video resources to its STEM Connect area. A curriculum-based and career development science resource to help teachers, the video resources will be available at no cost to Discover Education streaming subscribers as part of its Be the Future initiative.
Haim Saban's Saban Brands acquires Paul Frank Industries (PFI), featuring its library of 150+ characters including Julius the monkey. Though the deal terms have not been announced, the deal is believed to valued at about $50 million. Saban Brands plans to support PFI with new content and media strategies that will incorporate the Paul Frank characters.
Ryan Heuser will continue to serve as Chief Creative Officer, PFI, reporting to Elie Dekel, President, Saban Brands. Mossimo Giannulli, one of the previous owners of PFI, will continue on as an advisor, while John Oswald will exit the company.
Saban Brands, a unit of Saban Capital Group, will manage PFI's business, while the creative operations remain based at PFI's current headquarters in Costa Mesa, California. Saban Brands bought back Power Rangers from Disney earlier this year and plans to launch new episodes of the TV series (the 18th season) on Nickelodeon, with previous seasons running on Nicktoons. Saban Brands previously said it has committed $500 million to acquire various entertainment and consumer properties.
BabyFirstTV promotes Itamar Daube to VP/Creative. Under his newly expanded role Daube, who had been Creative Director, will direct creative development for all series for the network and its cross-platforms (online, mobile).
Additionally, he will oversee on and off-air marketing and branding and lead the graphic art department. Daube will report to SVP/Programming and Operations, Arik Kerman.
Little Airplane Productions and Spin Master Entertainment will launch their new preschool property Suzy Takes the Stage (52x11) this fall at MipJunior.
The series revolves around Suzy, a young confident and tenacious girl, who works hard to learn and help others around her through daily and regular events (e.g. learning to ice skate, getting her brother ready for preschool) with determination, humor and music.
Suzy Takes the Stage is a mix of computer animation combined with elements of theatrical stagecraft (e.g. trap doors, sets, lighting effects). The series features Theatre Arts Animation, a new style of animation developed by Little Airplane for the project. Each episode includes original songs and features a curriculum underlining developmental skills including resilience and self-knowledge.
Created by Alloy Entertainment (Pretty Little Liars, Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl), a division of Alloy Media + Marketing, First Day will air bi-weekly. Targeted to tweens and teens, the webseries follows a teen girl as she relives the first day of school over and over and over.
Alloy and Kmart put together scripts that showcase Kmart's exclusive fashion brands throughout the eight episode series. Kmart and its retail brands will get extended promotion during the run of the series, with additional media featured throughout the Alloy Digital Network and Alloy's Channel One Network.
Kmart will offer viewers a shopping component in each episode of First Day, during which its fashions will be featured and through a link they can then click and jump to the items on Kmart.com.
Evolve Media is announcing of the formation of its branded entertainment division - Springboard Studios - slated to produce close to 1,000 original video segments this year distributed across Evolve-repped sites as well as sites owned by the company's publishing arm, AtomicOnline (which oversees SheKnows, CraveOnline, GameRevolution, etc.)
Recent Springboard branded entertainment shows include reality decorator series Home Stretch and in-laws reality show Families Collide for SheKnows and Fanboy Fun House for CraveOnline.
Meredith Corp.'s BIG Communications
imbee, a tween-centric social media company, launches Drew ( http://drew.imbee.com ), a new pop culture news site for tweens.
Drew, which by the way stands for the Dopest, Realist, Epic, Wrap-up, will feature anything and everything in entertainment, tech gadgets, sports, style and anything else important to tweens.
With a graffiti style logo, Drew aims to provide news on all these areas by getting information directly from sources and offer a story behind the story/headline/photograph.
Keith O'Brien is named Sales Manager/Non-Linear Digital Media, BabyTV. O'Brien will oversee the commercial development of the BabyTV brand worldwide across non-linear digital media, which includes SVOD, video search platforms, Smart phone, mobile, syndication, gaming, social networking sites, among others.
He previously served as a Sales Executive with Sony Pictures Television, and an Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie - Disney Channel - Salty Pictures
Peter Murrieta, Executive Producer
Kevin Lafferty, Produced By
Mondo TV, an animation producer/distributor, signs a US$6.7 million production pact with Visual Picnic and Licensing Works to produce the 2D animated preschool series, Playtime Buddies (52x13).
Produced in HD, Playtime Buddies will be showcased at MipJunior this October 2-3, 2010. Mondo TV will head production and worldwide TV and home video distribution, and has also been named licensing agent for the property in Italy.
MEG Toys has been granted the master toy license worldwide and distribute toys based on the series following its debut in each territory.
Visual Picnic owns the property, which was created by Erik DePrince. Licensing Works represents the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for Playtime Buddies.
CBeebies (UK) acquires Uki (52x2), the first preschool animated series developed by record label Universal Music UK. The series will debut on CBeebies early next month as part of the channel's Show Me Show Me program.
Universal Music UK will handle licensing for the series. Created by Patrick Busschots and Peter Decraene of Universal Music's Belgium office, the series revolves around the daily adventures of Uki ( www.ukiland.com ), a happy little yellow character with endless curiosity and sense of fun, and his friends. Already picked up in a number of countries, Uki is currently airing in Belgium on kid's channels Ketnet and Club RTL, with books, DVDs, greeting cards and plush toys set to be available there from October.
BBC Worldwide will offer Uki at MipJunior this year. Uki was the winning project in the Pitch It award at the 2008 Kidscreen Summit.
MarVista Entertainment acquires the worldwide distribution rights for the feature film Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, which is based on Lois Leppard's kid-targeted book of the same name, from Lost World Pictures.
Under the original previously announced pact, MarVista picked up the global rights to license the first movie in the series, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, with an option for the next four movies.
MarVista will showcase Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, as well as the first movie, at Mipcom this fall. Set in the early 1900s, there are 40+ titles in Leppard's Mandie book series. Produced and directed by Lost World's Owen Smith and Joy Chapman, also the rights owners, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure stars TV/screen/stage actor Dean Jones (The Love Bug, That Darn Cat and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Company), Lexi Johnson (Sugar Creek Gang) and William Yelton (Hounddog, John Adams, One Tree Hill).
The third season of Scholastic Media's animated series WordGirl will debut on PBS Kids Go! beginning September 13, 2010 (check local listings). Produced by Scholastic's animation studio Soup2Nuts, features a voiceover cast including new and returning cast members Kristen Schaal (Toy Story 3, The Flight of the Conchords, Modern Family), John Henson (Wipe Out), Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development, The Hangover 2), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), John C. McGinley (Scrubs), and Dannah Phirman (MadTV) as WordGirl, Chris Parnell (SNL, 30 Rock) as the Narrator, as well as Maria Bamford (Kick Buttowski) as Mrs. Botsford, among others.
Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun's Berman Braun Productions penned a deal with Starcom MediaVest Group giving the agency's clients a first-look sponsorship option for all of the producer's online content, per AllThingsD. The deal, involving brands such as Wal-Mart, P&G and Coke, could be worth north of $100 million.
Discovery's TLC.com is partnering with Volkswagen to promote the Routan minivan in a multifaceted campaign, with the automaker exclusively sponsoring family travel content on the site and the van being featured in an original web series dubbed " The Great Getaway.”
Beyond Distribution will debuts its new preschool property Toybox (75x30) at MipJunior in Cannes, October 2-3. Created by Ian Munro and Ron Saunders (Hi-5, New MacDonald's Farm, Bananas in Pyjamas, Magic Mountain and Milly, Molly), Toybox is designed to encourage kids to use their imagination and get up and dancing to music.
The series follows the adventures of a group of toy friends and the mischief and fun they have when they are left alone and come to life. Created with the assistance of childhood development experts, each episode features segments where the characters and audience discovers things together. Among the cast members is actress Brittany Byrnes (Babe).
Director/producer Ivan Reitman is developing a movie based on The Kid Table, an upcoming young adult novel from author Andrea Seigel, per Coming Soon. Reitman will produce the movie and writer Justin Adler (Better Off Ted, Less Than Perfect, Futurama) is adapting the book for the movie.
The Kid Table, set for release from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books on September 14, 2010, revolves around Ingrid and her group of siblings and cousins who have long been seated at the kid's table at family functions ... until the oldest is promoted to the adult table causing some consternation for the rest of the gang, particularly Ingrid.
Disney Channel will offer a North American sneak peek at Aardman Animation's preschool stop-motion animated series Timmy Time ( www.timmytime.tv ) on September 7. Following the preview Timmy Time get its official debut on the channel on September 13.
The series is based on characters in Aardman's series Shaun the Sheep, which runs also runs on Disney Channel. Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment will handle DVD distribution for the series here, with the first title slated for release in early 2011. Additionally, the Timmy Time toy line from Jakks Pacific will launch in spring 2011.
Tween Reporters: The girl tween/teen-targeted AllyKatzz.com ( www.allykatzz.com ) will re-launch this September and is looking for as many as 50 girls from around the world to serve as reporters for the site.
Girls that want to find out about the first set of tween reporters or are interested in becoming a reporter can do so at allykatzz.com.
Family Channel (Canada) gives the go ahead on three new live-action comedy series, each with multiplatform opportunities and all of which will premiere in spring 2011.
Decidedly Debra (13x30) - the series follows Debra, a vivacious teen with her own style and attitude, and her pal Preston as Debra sets out to star her own business. Produced byCookie Jar Entertainment, Decidedly Debra is created by Andrew Nicolls and Darrel Vickers (writers on Jimmy Neutron, Fairly OddParents, Back at the Barnyard)
Really Me (13x30) - When friends Maddy and Julia get their own reality TV series the girls dream of endorsement deals and all the perks they think will go along with the show ... but ... with a pushy producer, over zealous family members, and 24/7 coverage of their every move things are exactly how they'd imagined. Created by Tom McGillis and Jennifer Pertsch, the series is produced by Fresh TV.
What's Up, Warthogs! (100x5)- the short-form series revolves around a group of teens looking to make their school's morning announcements an entertainment news show. The series will initially rollout on Family.ca (www.family.ca) prior to premiering on the network. Produced by Aircraft Pictures with Dolphin Entertainment's Bill O'Dowd executive producing, the series is created by Alex Diaz and Julie Sagalowsky. The writing team is led by Dean Batali (That 70s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Discovery Education ( www.discoveryeducation.com) enters into a new deal with The Jim Henson Company that will see the entire preschool Sid the Science Kid(40x30) available via Discovery Education Science for Elementary in the next few months. The animated series, which airs on PBS Kids, is based on national science learning standards and the preschool science curriculum, Preschool Pathways to Science.
Sid the Science Kid revolves around a kid named Sid and his adventures during which he finds answers to questions using basic science principles. Additionally, Discovery Education will add 51 news segments from PBS NewsHour, produced by MacNeil Lehrer Productions, for high school students by the end of year.
Finally, Discovery Education will add 16 new streaming video resources to its STEM Connect area. A curriculum-based and career development science resource to help teachers, the video resources will be available at no cost to Discover Education streaming subscribers as part of its Be the Future initiative.
Haim Saban's Saban Brands acquires Paul Frank Industries (PFI), featuring its library of 150+ characters including Julius the monkey. Though the deal terms have not been announced, the deal is believed to valued at about $50 million. Saban Brands plans to support PFI with new content and media strategies that will incorporate the Paul Frank characters.
Ryan Heuser will continue to serve as Chief Creative Officer, PFI, reporting to Elie Dekel, President, Saban Brands. Mossimo Giannulli, one of the previous owners of PFI, will continue on as an advisor, while John Oswald will exit the company.
Saban Brands, a unit of Saban Capital Group, will manage PFI's business, while the creative operations remain based at PFI's current headquarters in Costa Mesa, California. Saban Brands bought back Power Rangers from Disney earlier this year and plans to launch new episodes of the TV series (the 18th season) on Nickelodeon, with previous seasons running on Nicktoons. Saban Brands previously said it has committed $500 million to acquire various entertainment and consumer properties.
BabyFirstTV promotes Itamar Daube to VP/Creative. Under his newly expanded role Daube, who had been Creative Director, will direct creative development for all series for the network and its cross-platforms (online, mobile).
Additionally, he will oversee on and off-air marketing and branding and lead the graphic art department. Daube will report to SVP/Programming and Operations, Arik Kerman.
Little Airplane Productions and Spin Master Entertainment will launch their new preschool property Suzy Takes the Stage (52x11) this fall at MipJunior.
The series revolves around Suzy, a young confident and tenacious girl, who works hard to learn and help others around her through daily and regular events (e.g. learning to ice skate, getting her brother ready for preschool) with determination, humor and music.
Suzy Takes the Stage is a mix of computer animation combined with elements of theatrical stagecraft (e.g. trap doors, sets, lighting effects). The series features Theatre Arts Animation, a new style of animation developed by Little Airplane for the project. Each episode includes original songs and features a curriculum underlining developmental skills including resilience and self-knowledge.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Chocolate Liberation Front
Chocolate Liberation Front (CLF), the year-old interactive producer, lines up a slate of TV-based multi-platform projects in the US, Canada and Australia including Santo Sam & Ed's Cup Fever!, Dance Academy, Harriet The Spy and The Kids In The Hall.
Santo Sam & Ed's Cup Fever! a social media experience produced by CLF for SBS and Australia-based production company Working Dog. During the World Cup, CLF delivered a 24/7 online environment to support the World Cup live television program, delivering 1+ million visits to the social network extensions.
Also in Australia, CLF has been tapped by Werner Film Productions, ZDF and ABC3 to produce the Dance Academy choreography application, Dance Academy Dance Maker.
In Canada, animation studio 9Story has commissioned CLF to produce a promotional web site for the new Disney Channel TV movie Harriet The Spy: Blog Wars, and Accent Entertainment and CBC appointed CLF to deliver the interactive strategy for the latest Kids In The Hall eight-part prime time series 'Death Comes To Town,' which includes behind the scenes footage, original video and an interactive hockey game.
CLF is currently producing The Wild Kratts interactive project for the Kratt Brothers, 9Story, TVO and PBS, with financial assistance from The Bell Broadcast & New Media Fund and The OMDC - an Asylum Seeker Simulation for SBS with the assistance of Screen Australia, Film Victoria and in conjunction with the Refugee Council and The Immigration Museum.
Vans will introduce a line of Yo Gabba Gabba! sneakers for kids and toddlers this November at retailers and online at shop.vans.com. The collection offers eight different versions of Yo Gabba Gabba! Vans, with each series character featured on their own show as well as two versions of a group character shoe. Created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, Yo Gabba Gabba! Is produced by The Magic Store and Wildbrain Entertainment.
Santo Sam & Ed's Cup Fever! a social media experience produced by CLF for SBS and Australia-based production company Working Dog. During the World Cup, CLF delivered a 24/7 online environment to support the World Cup live television program, delivering 1+ million visits to the social network extensions.
Also in Australia, CLF has been tapped by Werner Film Productions, ZDF and ABC3 to produce the Dance Academy choreography application, Dance Academy Dance Maker.
In Canada, animation studio 9Story has commissioned CLF to produce a promotional web site for the new Disney Channel TV movie Harriet The Spy: Blog Wars, and Accent Entertainment and CBC appointed CLF to deliver the interactive strategy for the latest Kids In The Hall eight-part prime time series 'Death Comes To Town,' which includes behind the scenes footage, original video and an interactive hockey game.
CLF is currently producing The Wild Kratts interactive project for the Kratt Brothers, 9Story, TVO and PBS, with financial assistance from The Bell Broadcast & New Media Fund and The OMDC - an Asylum Seeker Simulation for SBS with the assistance of Screen Australia, Film Victoria and in conjunction with the Refugee Council and The Immigration Museum.
Vans will introduce a line of Yo Gabba Gabba! sneakers for kids and toddlers this November at retailers and online at shop.vans.com. The collection offers eight different versions of Yo Gabba Gabba! Vans, with each series character featured on their own show as well as two versions of a group character shoe. Created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, Yo Gabba Gabba! Is produced by The Magic Store and Wildbrain Entertainment.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A LOT OF KIDS NEWS WITH LOTS OF PRE-SCHOOL AND WEB
Sprout is set to launch its first, long form original series Noodle and Doodle (26x11) on Saturday, September 25 at 9a, in conjunction with the channel's fifth anniversary.
Noodle and Doodle will then air every Saturday and Sunday morning at 9a and again at 11:30a. The preschool series will air as part of the channel's live morning programming block, The Sunny Side Up Show, which is expanding to include weekends.
The Sprout produced series is hosted by Sean, co-hose of The Sunny Side Up Show, and Noodle, a puppet that enjoys working in the kitchen, and Doodle, a virtual electronic pal, and features arts, crafts and healthy cooking step-by-step activities for preschoolers and their families.
The series also includes Sean's dog Doggity, who takes viewers into an animated world where a group of cooking dogs team up to solve problems and cooking snacks in the kitchen.
The animated Doggity segments were created in conjunction with series creator John McCoy and Ka-chew!, a division of Klasky Csupo (Rugrats, Wild Thornberrys). A corresponding website for the series will debut at SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ) after September 25.
Disney Channel will premiere the new preschool special, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally, on Tuesday, September 7, 7-7:50p. Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release the special on DVD the same day and date. A week before the premiere, August 31, the full special will be available via Disney Channel On Demand.
Meanwhile in conjunction with its TV debut, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally will be available on iTunes and Xbox Live, as well as simulcast on mobile providers Sprint TV, FloTV and MobiTV. Finally, the special will be accessible on mobile VOD for AT&T CV, Sprint TV and Verizon V Cast from September 8. Online PlayhouseDisney.com/Mickey
( www.playhousedisney.com/mickey ) will launch Clubhouse Rally Raceway.
Ameba, a Winnipeg-based and kid-targeted IPTV system, expands its programming with the addition of CCI Entertainment's classic series Nilus the Sandman, Time Blazers, as well as Monster by Mistake to its AmebaTV.com ( www.amebatv.com ) subscription portal.
Koba Entertainment is currently producing a live theatrical production of Nelvana's animated preschool series Max & Ruby, which is based on the book series of the same name by Rosemary Wells. Targeted to family audiences, the musical tour, Max & Ruby: Bunny Party, kicks off in Western Canada this fall. Featuring music and lyrics by Norman Foote, the show will make its way across Canada and then throughout the US in 2011. ( www.maxandrubyontour.com)
Noodle and Doodle will then air every Saturday and Sunday morning at 9a and again at 11:30a. The preschool series will air as part of the channel's live morning programming block, The Sunny Side Up Show, which is expanding to include weekends.
The Sprout produced series is hosted by Sean, co-hose of The Sunny Side Up Show, and Noodle, a puppet that enjoys working in the kitchen, and Doodle, a virtual electronic pal, and features arts, crafts and healthy cooking step-by-step activities for preschoolers and their families.
The series also includes Sean's dog Doggity, who takes viewers into an animated world where a group of cooking dogs team up to solve problems and cooking snacks in the kitchen.
The animated Doggity segments were created in conjunction with series creator John McCoy and Ka-chew!, a division of Klasky Csupo (Rugrats, Wild Thornberrys). A corresponding website for the series will debut at SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ) after September 25.
Disney Channel will premiere the new preschool special, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally, on Tuesday, September 7, 7-7:50p. Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release the special on DVD the same day and date. A week before the premiere, August 31, the full special will be available via Disney Channel On Demand.
Meanwhile in conjunction with its TV debut, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally will be available on iTunes and Xbox Live, as well as simulcast on mobile providers Sprint TV, FloTV and MobiTV. Finally, the special will be accessible on mobile VOD for AT&T CV, Sprint TV and Verizon V Cast from September 8. Online PlayhouseDisney.com/Mickey
( www.playhousedisney.com/mickey ) will launch Clubhouse Rally Raceway.
Ameba, a Winnipeg-based and kid-targeted IPTV system, expands its programming with the addition of CCI Entertainment's classic series Nilus the Sandman, Time Blazers, as well as Monster by Mistake to its AmebaTV.com ( www.amebatv.com ) subscription portal.
Koba Entertainment is currently producing a live theatrical production of Nelvana's animated preschool series Max & Ruby, which is based on the book series of the same name by Rosemary Wells. Targeted to family audiences, the musical tour, Max & Ruby: Bunny Party, kicks off in Western Canada this fall. Featuring music and lyrics by Norman Foote, the show will make its way across Canada and then throughout the US in 2011. ( www.maxandrubyontour.com)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Lots of Kids news
Sesame Workshop and V-me ( www.vmetv.com ), a Spanish-language US TV network, partner to co-produce original Spanish-language content for the series Plaza Sesamo in the US. The new co-produced content includes 10 live-action films that reflect diversity in the Hispanic community in the US, and support healthy eating and exercise habits and healthy social-emotional lifestyles.
The films are part of the new season of Plaza Sesamo, which debuts Monday, July 19 on V-me as part of its preschool block V-me Ninos. Production of the Plaza Sesamo original content for V-me was made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
41 Entertainment (41e), an animation and distribution company, will begin production this fall on the new mixed 2D and 3D animated series, Blake: Double Identity (26x24), which it will co-produce with TOONF Valencia.
Written by Andy Briggs and directed by Eric Robert, the series will also feature state-of-the-art special effects and will delivered in HD. Blake: Double Identity revolves around the adventures of twins, Justin and Tatiana Blake (who think and do things alike), and two of their friends Mandisa, from South Africa and Cho Jordan, a Korean American, who are recruited by an international multi-government organization to go undercover on various missions.
The team is overseen by Mr. Li, a 30-something mysterious Hong Kong-based James Bond type. Slated to be available for fall 2011, the series will be showcased this fall at MIP Junior.
Disney Channel orders a second season of its new live-action series Good Luck Charlie along with a holiday-themed original TV movie. Geoff Rodkey (R.V., Daddy Day Care) is penning the Good Luck Charlie TV movie.
The series is executive-produced by TV veterans Dan Staley (Cheers, Love & Money), Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen (Suddenly Susan and What I Like About You), and is a production of It's a Laugh Productions. Baker and Vaupen are also the series creators.
Good Luck Charlie airs Sundays at 8:30p on Disney Channel (US), and can be seen on Disney Channels worldwide, with episodes available via DisneyChannel.com, Disney Channel on Demand, various mobile providers, as well as on airlines.
ITV (UK) re-teams The Foundation, a production unit of RDF Media Group, and beverage company Britvic as it orders a second season of Skillicious With Fruit Shoot H20 for air on kid-targeted channel CITV. The new season of the will be hosted again by Nigel Clarke his new co-host Anna Williamson (Toonattik, GMTV) and will continue to be filmed in front of a live studio audience.
Skillicious with Fruit Shoot H20 is a The Foundation production for CITV, produced by Dan Pickard. Ged Allen serves as executive producer for The Foundation and Jamila Metran as executive producer for CITV.
CBeebies launches programming blocks in Latin America and US Hispanic market that are designed to dovetail with the regular activities in a preschooler's day.
Based on the UK CBeebies channel schedule, the new programming grid for both markets is broken into four blocks: Tiempo de Despertar (Get Set Go, 6a-9a);
Tiempo de Descubrir (Discover and Do, 9a-2p);
Tiempo de Jugar (Big Fun Time, 2p-7p);
and Tiempo de Sonar (Bedtime Hour, 7p-9p).
The programming lineup throughout the day features show including Chloe's Closet, Wibbly Pig, Numberjacks, Nina and the Neurons, as well as Get Squiggling, Garth and Bev, Zigby, and Finley the Fire Engine, Roly Mo, Tellytales, and In the Night Garden.
The films are part of the new season of Plaza Sesamo, which debuts Monday, July 19 on V-me as part of its preschool block V-me Ninos. Production of the Plaza Sesamo original content for V-me was made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
41 Entertainment (41e), an animation and distribution company, will begin production this fall on the new mixed 2D and 3D animated series, Blake: Double Identity (26x24), which it will co-produce with TOONF Valencia.
Written by Andy Briggs and directed by Eric Robert, the series will also feature state-of-the-art special effects and will delivered in HD. Blake: Double Identity revolves around the adventures of twins, Justin and Tatiana Blake (who think and do things alike), and two of their friends Mandisa, from South Africa and Cho Jordan, a Korean American, who are recruited by an international multi-government organization to go undercover on various missions.
The team is overseen by Mr. Li, a 30-something mysterious Hong Kong-based James Bond type. Slated to be available for fall 2011, the series will be showcased this fall at MIP Junior.
Disney Channel orders a second season of its new live-action series Good Luck Charlie along with a holiday-themed original TV movie. Geoff Rodkey (R.V., Daddy Day Care) is penning the Good Luck Charlie TV movie.
The series is executive-produced by TV veterans Dan Staley (Cheers, Love & Money), Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen (Suddenly Susan and What I Like About You), and is a production of It's a Laugh Productions. Baker and Vaupen are also the series creators.
Good Luck Charlie airs Sundays at 8:30p on Disney Channel (US), and can be seen on Disney Channels worldwide, with episodes available via DisneyChannel.com, Disney Channel on Demand, various mobile providers, as well as on airlines.
ITV (UK) re-teams The Foundation, a production unit of RDF Media Group, and beverage company Britvic as it orders a second season of Skillicious With Fruit Shoot H20 for air on kid-targeted channel CITV. The new season of the will be hosted again by Nigel Clarke his new co-host Anna Williamson (Toonattik, GMTV) and will continue to be filmed in front of a live studio audience.
Skillicious with Fruit Shoot H20 is a The Foundation production for CITV, produced by Dan Pickard. Ged Allen serves as executive producer for The Foundation and Jamila Metran as executive producer for CITV.
CBeebies launches programming blocks in Latin America and US Hispanic market that are designed to dovetail with the regular activities in a preschooler's day.
Based on the UK CBeebies channel schedule, the new programming grid for both markets is broken into four blocks: Tiempo de Despertar (Get Set Go, 6a-9a);
Tiempo de Descubrir (Discover and Do, 9a-2p);
Tiempo de Jugar (Big Fun Time, 2p-7p);
and Tiempo de Sonar (Bedtime Hour, 7p-9p).
The programming lineup throughout the day features show including Chloe's Closet, Wibbly Pig, Numberjacks, Nina and the Neurons, as well as Get Squiggling, Garth and Bev, Zigby, and Finley the Fire Engine, Roly Mo, Tellytales, and In the Night Garden.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sprout, Milkshake!
Sprout, the 24/7 preschool service owned in part by Comcast, inks a carriage deal with Charter Communications. Under the agreement Sprout is available now On Demand for customers with Charter TV in Digital.
Additionally, Charter will make Sprout's 24-hour digital cable channel available to its subscribers on a market-by-market basis through the end of this year.
Sprout's On Demand lineup offers 65-hours of programming monthly, including 15-hours of Spanish-language programming, such as Sesame Street, Bob the Builder, Barney & Friends and The Wiggles. Sprout is a joint venture between Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop.
Charter announced it is adding PBS' pre-school programming service Sprout as an On Demand offering across its entire footprint. The MSO also plans to add the linear digital channel on a market-by-market basis by the end of 2010.
In the UK, Five's plans to launch a preschool targeted digital Milkshake! channel have been put on hold due to the broadcaster's financial situation according to Five's Director/Children's Programming Nick Wilson in an interview with Broadcast Now. While Five looks for a new owner, Wilson says he plans to further develop the Milkshake! brand online in the meantime
Additionally, Charter will make Sprout's 24-hour digital cable channel available to its subscribers on a market-by-market basis through the end of this year.
Sprout's On Demand lineup offers 65-hours of programming monthly, including 15-hours of Spanish-language programming, such as Sesame Street, Bob the Builder, Barney & Friends and The Wiggles. Sprout is a joint venture between Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop.
Charter announced it is adding PBS' pre-school programming service Sprout as an On Demand offering across its entire footprint. The MSO also plans to add the linear digital channel on a market-by-market basis by the end of 2010.
In the UK, Five's plans to launch a preschool targeted digital Milkshake! channel have been put on hold due to the broadcaster's financial situation according to Five's Director/Children's Programming Nick Wilson in an interview with Broadcast Now. While Five looks for a new owner, Wilson says he plans to further develop the Milkshake! brand online in the meantime
Thursday, May 27, 2010
DISNEY JUNIOR, PBS Henson
Disney/ABC Television Group to shutter the 10-year-old SOAPnet channel to make room to launch Disney Junior, a new preschool-targeted multiplatform brand and 24/7 HD basic cable/satellite channel and corresponding website, in the US in 2012.
Ahead of the new channel debut, Disney Channel's daily preschool-targeted Playhouse Disney programming block will be re-branded as Disney Junior (date TBD). Carolina Lightcap, President/Disney Channels Worldwide, will add Disney Junior to her portfolio, which already includes Disney Channel, Disney XD and Radio Disney.
Outside the US, the 22 Playhouse Disney channels and programming blocks, available in 156 countries/territories, reaching 45+ million households will be re-branded Disney Junior beginning in 2011.
Designed to encourage parents to engage and watch/participate with their preschoolers, the new Disney Junior early learning skills and entertainment brand will provide affiliates with VOD offerings and a Spanish language SAP feed.
Disney says its new channel will feature 200 new episodes each year of both new series, such as Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and existing preschool series, including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and Imagination Movers among others, as well as Disney movies. SOAPnet is currently available in 75 million homes in the US.
The Jim Henson Company inks new licensees for its preschool series Dinosaur Train, which airs on PBS Kids ( www.pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain ).
The newest domestic partners signing on for Dinosaur Train include: DecoPac (cake toppers); Anagram (balloons); Cranston (fabric); Kidz World (upholstered furniture); Pacific Play Tents (tents, slumber bags, folding animal chairs); Publications International (sound boos, look and find books); and Global Manufacturing (scooters, skates and bikes). The new lines of Dinosaur Train merchandise will begin rolling out in the US from late summer.
Ahead of the new channel debut, Disney Channel's daily preschool-targeted Playhouse Disney programming block will be re-branded as Disney Junior (date TBD). Carolina Lightcap, President/Disney Channels Worldwide, will add Disney Junior to her portfolio, which already includes Disney Channel, Disney XD and Radio Disney.
Outside the US, the 22 Playhouse Disney channels and programming blocks, available in 156 countries/territories, reaching 45+ million households will be re-branded Disney Junior beginning in 2011.
Designed to encourage parents to engage and watch/participate with their preschoolers, the new Disney Junior early learning skills and entertainment brand will provide affiliates with VOD offerings and a Spanish language SAP feed.
Disney says its new channel will feature 200 new episodes each year of both new series, such as Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and existing preschool series, including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and Imagination Movers among others, as well as Disney movies. SOAPnet is currently available in 75 million homes in the US.
The Jim Henson Company inks new licensees for its preschool series Dinosaur Train, which airs on PBS Kids ( www.pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain ).
The newest domestic partners signing on for Dinosaur Train include: DecoPac (cake toppers); Anagram (balloons); Cranston (fabric); Kidz World (upholstered furniture); Pacific Play Tents (tents, slumber bags, folding animal chairs); Publications International (sound boos, look and find books); and Global Manufacturing (scooters, skates and bikes). The new lines of Dinosaur Train merchandise will begin rolling out in the US from late summer.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
2010 Upfront: The Hub
2010 Upfront: The Hub, the new joint venture network between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, joins the upfront season as preparations continue for its October 10, 2010 launch.
Margaret Loesch, President and CEO, The Hub, unveiled a portion of the programming, including six original series and seven US series premieres featured on the network.
These series will be broken down into four demo specific programming blocks:
Preschool (K2-5; 9a-1p);
Kids Afternoon/Kids Prime (K6-12; 1-6p);
Family Prime Access (6-7p); and
Family Prime (7-11p).
Further original and acquired programming information and programming lineup launch schedule will be announced later. Here are The Hub's original series and acquired series (including US debuts), thus far:
The Hub Original Series:
Dan Vs. - the animated series revolves around Dan, a loveable loner, and Chris, his reluctant sidekick, as they strike out against the frustrations modern life has put upon him (real or imagined). Produced by Film Roman, a unit of Starz Media Company, in association with The Hatchery
Family Game Night - an hour-long, live-action game show series featuring kids and adults playing a range of classic Hasbro strategy games, such as Cranium, Bop-It, and Connect4. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
G.I. Joe Renegades - an animated action/adventure G.I. Joe origins series. The show follows the G.I. Joe team as it develops and goes up against their nemesis, the Cobra organization. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
Pound Puppies - Set in Shelter 17, the series follows a team of dogs and their mission to find a home for every puppy. "A pup for every person and a person for every pup." Produced by Hasbro Studios.
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour - a scary-themed half-hour, live-action anthology series based on/inspired by kid horror author R.L. Stine. Produced by The Hatchery.
The 99 - the animated series is an adaptation of the eponymous comic book that follows the adventures of superheroes from 99 countries that work together to maximize their powers and foster peace. Created by Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, a Middle East scholar/clinical psychologist, each member of The 99 embodies one of 99 positive values (e.g. wisdom, mercy, and strength).
Produced by Teshkeel Media & Endemol Digital UK Production Group.
Acquired programming:
US Premieres include: Animal Mechanicals (preschool, 52x11) produced by Halifax Film
the CGI animated Cosmic Quantum Ray produced by Moonscoop Entertainment
Deltora Quest (52 episodes) a CGI animated series produced by Dentsu
Maryoku Yummy (preschool) - animated series produced by American Greetings Properties and DQ Entertainment in association with Telegael Media
Strawberry Shortcake (26 episodes) - the new CGI animated series produced by American Greetings Properties
The WotWots (preschool) - the puppet series comes from Weta Workshop and is produced by Pukeko Pictures
Twisted Whiskers - a CGI animated series produced by American Greetings Properties, and co-producers DQ Entertainment and Moonscoop
Other Programming: Fraggle Rock - produced by The Him Henson Company; Meerkat Manor - produced by Oxford Scientific Films; and Family Movie Night - which will offer family-targeted movies (titles TBA).
Margaret Loesch, President and CEO, The Hub, unveiled a portion of the programming, including six original series and seven US series premieres featured on the network.
These series will be broken down into four demo specific programming blocks:
Preschool (K2-5; 9a-1p);
Kids Afternoon/Kids Prime (K6-12; 1-6p);
Family Prime Access (6-7p); and
Family Prime (7-11p).
Further original and acquired programming information and programming lineup launch schedule will be announced later. Here are The Hub's original series and acquired series (including US debuts), thus far:
The Hub Original Series:
Dan Vs. - the animated series revolves around Dan, a loveable loner, and Chris, his reluctant sidekick, as they strike out against the frustrations modern life has put upon him (real or imagined). Produced by Film Roman, a unit of Starz Media Company, in association with The Hatchery
Family Game Night - an hour-long, live-action game show series featuring kids and adults playing a range of classic Hasbro strategy games, such as Cranium, Bop-It, and Connect4. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
G.I. Joe Renegades - an animated action/adventure G.I. Joe origins series. The show follows the G.I. Joe team as it develops and goes up against their nemesis, the Cobra organization. Produced by Hasbro Studios.
Pound Puppies - Set in Shelter 17, the series follows a team of dogs and their mission to find a home for every puppy. "A pup for every person and a person for every pup." Produced by Hasbro Studios.
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour - a scary-themed half-hour, live-action anthology series based on/inspired by kid horror author R.L. Stine. Produced by The Hatchery.
The 99 - the animated series is an adaptation of the eponymous comic book that follows the adventures of superheroes from 99 countries that work together to maximize their powers and foster peace. Created by Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, a Middle East scholar/clinical psychologist, each member of The 99 embodies one of 99 positive values (e.g. wisdom, mercy, and strength).
Produced by Teshkeel Media & Endemol Digital UK Production Group.
Acquired programming:
US Premieres include: Animal Mechanicals (preschool, 52x11) produced by Halifax Film
the CGI animated Cosmic Quantum Ray produced by Moonscoop Entertainment
Deltora Quest (52 episodes) a CGI animated series produced by Dentsu
Maryoku Yummy (preschool) - animated series produced by American Greetings Properties and DQ Entertainment in association with Telegael Media
Strawberry Shortcake (26 episodes) - the new CGI animated series produced by American Greetings Properties
The WotWots (preschool) - the puppet series comes from Weta Workshop and is produced by Pukeko Pictures
Twisted Whiskers - a CGI animated series produced by American Greetings Properties, and co-producers DQ Entertainment and Moonscoop
Other Programming: Fraggle Rock - produced by The Him Henson Company; Meerkat Manor - produced by Oxford Scientific Films; and Family Movie Night - which will offer family-targeted movies (titles TBA).
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Veggie Mates, 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards
CBeebies is beginning production in the North West area on Veggie Mates (26x15), a new mixed live-action/puppet and music series that focuses on the concept of nurturing, caring and growing.
The series aims to get kids outside and learning about the world around them, including the fun of gardening and caring for living things, the importance of drinking water when it's hot out, and that everyone is good at different things.
Slated to premiere in early 2011, each episode a team of young kids arrive to help Mr. Bloom care for the plants and produce growing in his garden.
The series features a group of vegetable puppets, the Veggie Mates, who the kids can play with, teach and care for, they include: Colin the Runner Bean - he's always first with the wrong answer; Margaret the Cabbage - she's shy but fun and has her heart in the right place; Joan the Fennel - a mothering type; Raymond the Butternut Squash - who is always saying sorry; Sebastian the Aubergine - who enjoys summing up the day's events with a song; and the Wee MacGregors - a group of mischievous radishes that cause havoc.
Veggie Mates is a CBeebies production made in BBC Manchester.
Nominations for the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards were announced yesterday, which of course includes a collection of kid-targeted categories. Leading the way in kid-related programming nominations is PBS with about 36 nominations, followed by Nickelodeon with 25 nods, Disney Channel with 5 and Cartoon Network receiving 4 nominations. CBS will broadcast the Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards on Jun 27 at 9p, live from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas. The Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be handed out at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles on June 25. Some of the categories and nominees are listed below, happily there are far too many to list here! Congratulations to everyone and keep up the amazing work. For a full listing of categories and nominees check out our home page Cynopsis.com ( www.cynopsis.com ).
Outstanding Children's Animated Program
WordGirl - PBS
The Backyardigans - Nickelodeon
Curious George - PBS
Sid the Science Kid - PBS
Outstanding Children's Series
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman - PBS
Design Squad - PBS
The Electric Company - PBS
New Approaches - Daytime Children's
Come On Over - ComeOnOver.com ( www.comeonover.com )
Fizzy's Lunch Lab - PBS
Design Squad - PBS
The Electric Company - PBS
Outstanding Preschool Children's Series
The Wonder Pets! - Nickelodeon
Between The Lions - PBS
Sesame Street - PBS
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
SpongeBob SquarePants - Nickelodeon
The Penguins of Madagascar - Nickelodeon
Ni Hao, Kai-lan - Nickelodeon
Sid The Science Kid: "Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!" - PBS
The series aims to get kids outside and learning about the world around them, including the fun of gardening and caring for living things, the importance of drinking water when it's hot out, and that everyone is good at different things.
Slated to premiere in early 2011, each episode a team of young kids arrive to help Mr. Bloom care for the plants and produce growing in his garden.
The series features a group of vegetable puppets, the Veggie Mates, who the kids can play with, teach and care for, they include: Colin the Runner Bean - he's always first with the wrong answer; Margaret the Cabbage - she's shy but fun and has her heart in the right place; Joan the Fennel - a mothering type; Raymond the Butternut Squash - who is always saying sorry; Sebastian the Aubergine - who enjoys summing up the day's events with a song; and the Wee MacGregors - a group of mischievous radishes that cause havoc.
Veggie Mates is a CBeebies production made in BBC Manchester.
Nominations for the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards were announced yesterday, which of course includes a collection of kid-targeted categories. Leading the way in kid-related programming nominations is PBS with about 36 nominations, followed by Nickelodeon with 25 nods, Disney Channel with 5 and Cartoon Network receiving 4 nominations. CBS will broadcast the Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards on Jun 27 at 9p, live from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas. The Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be handed out at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles on June 25. Some of the categories and nominees are listed below, happily there are far too many to list here! Congratulations to everyone and keep up the amazing work. For a full listing of categories and nominees check out our home page Cynopsis.com ( www.cynopsis.com ).
Outstanding Children's Animated Program
WordGirl - PBS
The Backyardigans - Nickelodeon
Curious George - PBS
Sid the Science Kid - PBS
Outstanding Children's Series
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman - PBS
Design Squad - PBS
The Electric Company - PBS
New Approaches - Daytime Children's
Come On Over - ComeOnOver.com ( www.comeonover.com )
Fizzy's Lunch Lab - PBS
Design Squad - PBS
The Electric Company - PBS
Outstanding Preschool Children's Series
The Wonder Pets! - Nickelodeon
Between The Lions - PBS
Sesame Street - PBS
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
SpongeBob SquarePants - Nickelodeon
The Penguins of Madagascar - Nickelodeon
Ni Hao, Kai-lan - Nickelodeon
Sid The Science Kid: "Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!" - PBS
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sesame Workshop and Televisa
Co-production partners Sesame Workshop and Televisa (Mexico) have begun production on a 13th season of Plaza Sesamo, which will include 65x30 new episodes of the preschool literacy-centric and story telling series, at Televisa's San Angel studio.
The new season will see the debut of the new Muppet character Gaby, a 4-year old girl, who, despite being timid and a dreamer, can overcome her shyness to sing.
The new episodes will also include new set features such as more buildings and windows, brighter colors, all designed to reflect Latin American neighborhoods that can be found in Mexico, Colombia, Chile or anywhere, and a new tree on the Plaza. Additionally, the new season sees the appointment of Lorenzo Dunoyer as new Sr. Producer. Javier Williams continues to serve as Executive Producer.
Season 13 of Plaza Sesamo will premiere on Televisa this fall and on Discovery Kids throughout Latin America in January 2011.
Sesame Workshop teams with the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) to assist in reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities among kids and families around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Using its media expertise, Sesame Workshop will work with GRSP to create content and distribute materials that will educate kids/families about road safety behavior. So serious is the issue around the world, the UN General Assembly recently passed a resolution making 2011-2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
The new season will see the debut of the new Muppet character Gaby, a 4-year old girl, who, despite being timid and a dreamer, can overcome her shyness to sing.
The new episodes will also include new set features such as more buildings and windows, brighter colors, all designed to reflect Latin American neighborhoods that can be found in Mexico, Colombia, Chile or anywhere, and a new tree on the Plaza. Additionally, the new season sees the appointment of Lorenzo Dunoyer as new Sr. Producer. Javier Williams continues to serve as Executive Producer.
Season 13 of Plaza Sesamo will premiere on Televisa this fall and on Discovery Kids throughout Latin America in January 2011.
Sesame Workshop teams with the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) to assist in reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities among kids and families around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Using its media expertise, Sesame Workshop will work with GRSP to create content and distribute materials that will educate kids/families about road safety behavior. So serious is the issue around the world, the UN General Assembly recently passed a resolution making 2011-2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Eori, Sesame Workshop and BASF Kids' Lab,
Malaysia-based Ed-Online Technologies, a multimedia developer of content including e-learning and entertainment projects, inks a co-production pact at MIPTV with South Korean animation producer/distributor NHC Media.
The deal is valued at US$15 million. Together the two will c0-produce the new 2D animated preschool series Eori (78x7), which will be available in English, Korean and Bahasa Malaysia from 2Q 2011.
Featuring a budget of US$2 million, the new series revolves around Eori, a boy that saves a fairy that in return provides him with a lifetime of adventure by giving him mask that can magically place him as a character in her wide range of storybooks.
The stories are all based on Malaysian, Korean and international folk tales. Primary work on the series will be produced in Malaysia, where it will create 100+ jobs.
The co-production is supported by Malaysia's Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), and Korea's Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
Sesame Workshop and BASF Kids' Lab, an three-year-old interactive educational program founded by chemical company BASF, join for a live interactive educational show featuring the Sesame Street Muppets called Magic Map Show, which will run at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, May 1 October 31, 2010, twice daily at the Dock Theater at the Expo Garden in Pu Xi.
Targeted to K6-11, the musical filled live show will take kids in the audience on a tour of five continents to educate them about and encourage them to take care of the Earth, and will also offer a hands on clean water-centric experiment called Recycle Dirty Water.
The deal is valued at US$15 million. Together the two will c0-produce the new 2D animated preschool series Eori (78x7), which will be available in English, Korean and Bahasa Malaysia from 2Q 2011.
Featuring a budget of US$2 million, the new series revolves around Eori, a boy that saves a fairy that in return provides him with a lifetime of adventure by giving him mask that can magically place him as a character in her wide range of storybooks.
The stories are all based on Malaysian, Korean and international folk tales. Primary work on the series will be produced in Malaysia, where it will create 100+ jobs.
The co-production is supported by Malaysia's Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), and Korea's Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
Sesame Workshop and BASF Kids' Lab, an three-year-old interactive educational program founded by chemical company BASF, join for a live interactive educational show featuring the Sesame Street Muppets called Magic Map Show, which will run at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, May 1 October 31, 2010, twice daily at the Dock Theater at the Expo Garden in Pu Xi.
Targeted to K6-11, the musical filled live show will take kids in the audience on a tour of five continents to educate them about and encourage them to take care of the Earth, and will also offer a hands on clean water-centric experiment called Recycle Dirty Water.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monkey See Monkey Do, Totally Spies Fashion Agents
Hit Entertainment debuts the new kid-targeted mixed CG animated/live-action preschool series Monkey See Monkey Do (26x7) at MIPTV this week, and has inked seven deals with international broadcasters. Produced by Smartoonz, Monkey See Monkey Doo is hosted by Monkey, an animated character, and is designed to get kids up and moving and dancing around. The series has been acquired by: France 5 (France); TVA, TVO and Knowledge (all Canada); Al-Jazeera Kids (Middle East); Minimax (Eastern Europe) and Disney Latam (Latin America). A US broadcaster deal will be completed soon.
Canada-based kelencontent is debuting two new kid's series at MIPTV 2010:
Red Caps (26x30) - a 2D animated series aimed at K6-11, follows Santa's special year-long team of helpers that have special powers to help kids around the world stand up for their rights and take responsibility for the world. The series will also feature a book series, online community and games, a 3D feature film, The Magic Crystal, which will be available from September 2010. Red Caps is a co-production between Epidem Zot (Finland) and Cartoon One Italy). The series has been pre-sold to RTL2 Germany, Hungary, Finland, Turkey, Middle East and Baltic territories.
Lotza (52x30) - the mixed animation and live-action preschool series is virtually non-verbal and uses music to help kids develop cognitive skills and prepare them for school. kelencontent holds the worldwide right.
Marathon Media and Ouat Entertainment partner to launch the co-published Totally Spies Fashion Agents ( www.fashionagents.com/en/), the first Role Play Game (RPG) based on the Totally Spies animated TV series, on Facebook. A Beta version in French and English will be published online April 20, with new missions and functions added every week.
The Totally Spies game invites players to create their own avatar and set out on missions to help save the world and play mini-games, and also acquire costumes and objects to decorate their apartments. In the Facebook game, players can share their apartment with friends just like the friends in the series.
Additionally, players can buy objects/items via micro-transactions that allow them to move through the game quicker, though they aren't mandatory to progress in the game.
Canada-based kelencontent is debuting two new kid's series at MIPTV 2010:
Red Caps (26x30) - a 2D animated series aimed at K6-11, follows Santa's special year-long team of helpers that have special powers to help kids around the world stand up for their rights and take responsibility for the world. The series will also feature a book series, online community and games, a 3D feature film, The Magic Crystal, which will be available from September 2010. Red Caps is a co-production between Epidem Zot (Finland) and Cartoon One Italy). The series has been pre-sold to RTL2 Germany, Hungary, Finland, Turkey, Middle East and Baltic territories.
Lotza (52x30) - the mixed animation and live-action preschool series is virtually non-verbal and uses music to help kids develop cognitive skills and prepare them for school. kelencontent holds the worldwide right.
Marathon Media and Ouat Entertainment partner to launch the co-published Totally Spies Fashion Agents ( www.fashionagents.com/en/), the first Role Play Game (RPG) based on the Totally Spies animated TV series, on Facebook. A Beta version in French and English will be published online April 20, with new missions and functions added every week.
The Totally Spies game invites players to create their own avatar and set out on missions to help save the world and play mini-games, and also acquire costumes and objects to decorate their apartments. In the Facebook game, players can share their apartment with friends just like the friends in the series.
Additionally, players can buy objects/items via micro-transactions that allow them to move through the game quicker, though they aren't mandatory to progress in the game.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
CBeebies, Small Potatoes, Tinga Tinga Tales
BBC names kid's TV veteran Kay Benbow as the new Controller of CBeebies. Currently Head/CBeebies Production, Animation and Acquisitions, a role she has held since 2006, Benbow will make the move next year with BBC Children's to BBC North in Salford.
Benbow takes over the vacancy left by Michael Carrington who exited the position earlier this year to join Turner Broadcasting as Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network EMEA. Benbow joined BBC Children's in 1988, after beginning her career with BBC World and Domestic Services, and she also managed, produced and directed various series.
She spent two years at Tell Tale Productions, where she was a producer on Tweenies, before returning to BBC Children's and has since developed and executive produced a range of programs.
Little Airplane Productions inks pre-sales for its short-form preschool animated series Small Potatoes (26x3) across Europe, Australia and Canada. The new broadcast deals for the music-centric series include CBeebies (UK), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), ABC TV (Australia) and TVO and Knowledge (Canada). CBeebies plans to premiere Small Potatoes in summer 2011. Designed to help preschoolers learn about different genres of music, Small Potatoes features works by composers and lyricists such as Jerry Bock (Fiddler on the Roof).
Classic Media signs further license agreement for its new preschool property Tinga Tinga Tales.
New deals across all categories include: William Lamb (footwear); Roy Lowe & Sons (socks and hosiery); VMC Accessories (dress up and accessories); Trademark Collections (bags, umbrellas, wallets); Zap (bedding and towels); Hall & Associates (health and beauty); MV Sport (bikes, trikes, scooters); Paul Lamond (board games and puzzles); Titan (stand alone magazine; BBC Worldwide (multi-character CBeebies Weekly and CBeebies Animals Magazine).
Previous deals include pan-regional deals with Penguin Group, as global master publishing, which will release its first titles in the UK this May 2010, and a Bandai, the master toy partner for the brand, which will roll-out toys based on the property from this September.
Benbow takes over the vacancy left by Michael Carrington who exited the position earlier this year to join Turner Broadcasting as Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network EMEA. Benbow joined BBC Children's in 1988, after beginning her career with BBC World and Domestic Services, and she also managed, produced and directed various series.
She spent two years at Tell Tale Productions, where she was a producer on Tweenies, before returning to BBC Children's and has since developed and executive produced a range of programs.
Little Airplane Productions inks pre-sales for its short-form preschool animated series Small Potatoes (26x3) across Europe, Australia and Canada. The new broadcast deals for the music-centric series include CBeebies (UK), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), ABC TV (Australia) and TVO and Knowledge (Canada). CBeebies plans to premiere Small Potatoes in summer 2011. Designed to help preschoolers learn about different genres of music, Small Potatoes features works by composers and lyricists such as Jerry Bock (Fiddler on the Roof).
Classic Media signs further license agreement for its new preschool property Tinga Tinga Tales.
New deals across all categories include: William Lamb (footwear); Roy Lowe & Sons (socks and hosiery); VMC Accessories (dress up and accessories); Trademark Collections (bags, umbrellas, wallets); Zap (bedding and towels); Hall & Associates (health and beauty); MV Sport (bikes, trikes, scooters); Paul Lamond (board games and puzzles); Titan (stand alone magazine; BBC Worldwide (multi-character CBeebies Weekly and CBeebies Animals Magazine).
Previous deals include pan-regional deals with Penguin Group, as global master publishing, which will release its first titles in the UK this May 2010, and a Bandai, the master toy partner for the brand, which will roll-out toys based on the property from this September.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
CBeebies, Mister Maker, Survive This, Teletoon
CBeebies gives its preschool line-up a refresh for spring 2010. Beginning Tuesday, April 6, Driver Dan's Storytrain and 64 Zoo Lane are joining In The Night Garden as part of the Bedtime Hour programming line-up.
The Bedtime Story remains as the final programming of the day. Waybuloo will run weekday mornings and afternoons on CBeebies and BBC Two, and on weekends on CBeebies.
Additionally, on three consecutive Mondays this April CBeebies will launch the new live-action music series ZingZillas on April 5 at 8a, followed by the new series Bob The Builder: Ready! Steady! Build on April 12, and Big Barn Farm from April 19.
RDF Rights signs further program sales for the kid-aimed arts and crafts series Mister Maker. Acquiring all three seasons of Mister Maker are CITI Channel (Ukraine), Ecuavisa (Ecuador) and Al Jazeera Children's Channel (Middle East).
Additionally, picking up seasons 2 and 3 of the series are ABC Australia and Hop! (Israel), while NTV7 (Malaysia) and Medicorp TV12 (Singapore) take seas 1 and 2.
BBC Kids commissioned a fourth season, entitled Mister Maker Comes to Town (20x20), that will see Mister Maker make his way to towns across the UK in the Makermobile. RDFR holds worldwide rights in all media for the property.
9 Story Entertainment has wrapped production on a second season of its adventure series Survive This (13 episodes). Hosted by Les Stroud, 9 Story will debut the new season kid/tween-targeted series, which features eight new teen 14-17-year-old contestants, next month at MIPTV 2010. YTV (Canada) plans to debut the second season of Survive This on April 19, 2010.
Corus Entertainment, which already manages on-air sales for Teletoon's (Canada) English-languages TV services, adds representation of Teletoon's kid/youth-targeted English interactive sales for the online brands, teletoon.com ( www.teletoon.com ), teletoonretro.com ( www.teletoonretro.com ) and teletoonatnight.com ( www.teletoonatnight.com ).
Corus' VP/Digital Media, Tim Cormick, will manage Teletoon's English interactive sales. Corus' youth-focused portfolio of websites represented by Corus' interactive sales team include Corus' YTV.com, Treehousetv.com, nickcanada.com, as well as representing Nick.com and Nickjr.com in Canada.
The Bedtime Story remains as the final programming of the day. Waybuloo will run weekday mornings and afternoons on CBeebies and BBC Two, and on weekends on CBeebies.
Additionally, on three consecutive Mondays this April CBeebies will launch the new live-action music series ZingZillas on April 5 at 8a, followed by the new series Bob The Builder: Ready! Steady! Build on April 12, and Big Barn Farm from April 19.
RDF Rights signs further program sales for the kid-aimed arts and crafts series Mister Maker. Acquiring all three seasons of Mister Maker are CITI Channel (Ukraine), Ecuavisa (Ecuador) and Al Jazeera Children's Channel (Middle East).
Additionally, picking up seasons 2 and 3 of the series are ABC Australia and Hop! (Israel), while NTV7 (Malaysia) and Medicorp TV12 (Singapore) take seas 1 and 2.
BBC Kids commissioned a fourth season, entitled Mister Maker Comes to Town (20x20), that will see Mister Maker make his way to towns across the UK in the Makermobile. RDFR holds worldwide rights in all media for the property.
9 Story Entertainment has wrapped production on a second season of its adventure series Survive This (13 episodes). Hosted by Les Stroud, 9 Story will debut the new season kid/tween-targeted series, which features eight new teen 14-17-year-old contestants, next month at MIPTV 2010. YTV (Canada) plans to debut the second season of Survive This on April 19, 2010.
Corus Entertainment, which already manages on-air sales for Teletoon's (Canada) English-languages TV services, adds representation of Teletoon's kid/youth-targeted English interactive sales for the online brands, teletoon.com ( www.teletoon.com ), teletoonretro.com ( www.teletoonretro.com ) and teletoonatnight.com ( www.teletoonatnight.com ).
Corus' VP/Digital Media, Tim Cormick, will manage Teletoon's English interactive sales. Corus' youth-focused portfolio of websites represented by Corus' interactive sales team include Corus' YTV.com, Treehousetv.com, nickcanada.com, as well as representing Nick.com and Nickjr.com in Canada.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
FTC To Consider New Restrictions On Collecting Data From Children
Wendy Davis, Mar 24, 2010 08:12 PM
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it's seeking input from the public about whether to broaden regulations aimed at preserving children's privacy online.
The last time the FTC issued regulations regarding the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act was in 2000. The commission said it's now considering revamping the regulations due to "changes to the online environment ... including children's increasing use of mobile technology to access the Internet."
The 12-year-old Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits companies from collecting personal information from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the FTC specifically asks how the regulations regarding that law should apply to new platforms, including mobile, interactive TV and interactive gaming.
The commission also says it's considering whether the definition of "personal information" should be expanded to include "persistent IP addresses, mobile geolocation information or information collected in connection with online behavioral advertising."
That language is yet another sign that the FTC is concerned that even supposedly non-personally identifiable information -- that is, data other than name, address, phone numbers, etc. -- could be used to identify specific users. Last year, the FTC said in suggested guidelines for behavioral targeting that clickstream data potentially could be tied back to particular users.
Privacy advocate Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, says he supports a ban on the use of behavioral targeting techniques on commercial sites geared toward children. "The agency must bring its regulations on COPPA up to date, including specifically prohibiting the use of cookies and other techniques that track, profile and target kids on children's commercial sites," he said.
Chester also said that advocates have asked the FTC to specifically address efforts to collect data from TV viewers.
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it's seeking input from the public about whether to broaden regulations aimed at preserving children's privacy online.
The last time the FTC issued regulations regarding the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act was in 2000. The commission said it's now considering revamping the regulations due to "changes to the online environment ... including children's increasing use of mobile technology to access the Internet."
The 12-year-old Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits companies from collecting personal information from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the FTC specifically asks how the regulations regarding that law should apply to new platforms, including mobile, interactive TV and interactive gaming.
The commission also says it's considering whether the definition of "personal information" should be expanded to include "persistent IP addresses, mobile geolocation information or information collected in connection with online behavioral advertising."
That language is yet another sign that the FTC is concerned that even supposedly non-personally identifiable information -- that is, data other than name, address, phone numbers, etc. -- could be used to identify specific users. Last year, the FTC said in suggested guidelines for behavioral targeting that clickstream data potentially could be tied back to particular users.
Privacy advocate Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, says he supports a ban on the use of behavioral targeting techniques on commercial sites geared toward children. "The agency must bring its regulations on COPPA up to date, including specifically prohibiting the use of cookies and other techniques that track, profile and target kids on children's commercial sites," he said.
Chester also said that advocates have asked the FTC to specifically address efforts to collect data from TV viewers.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PBS Business and Daisy Whitney's upfront report
PBS Kids names Happy Kid Toy Group as its master toy licensee to launch a new line of preschool-targeted educational toys. Under the multi-year licensing deal the new PBS Kids toy line will debut in 2011 at a range of retailers (e.g. including specialty stores, catalogue, internet, department stores and major mass retailers). The line will feature craft and activity sets, science sets and role-play games and will be packaged with information for about play ideas for parents/caregivers interaction. PBS will invest the revenue earned from the project into the creation of the next generation of educational content for kids. Additionally, PBS Kids and Happy Kid Toy Group worked with Big Boing to help create an educational experience that delivers on the PBS KIDS promise through toys.
Kids Upfront 2010: Networks, Agencies Cautiously Optimistic
By Daisy Whitney
Advertisers, agencies and networks are holding their breath for budgets to come in for the kids upfront. Why? Because the kids business usually unfolds first and could set the tone for the big ad selling season that's about to begin.
Everyone in the business wants to know the same thing will ad dollars be up over last year?
That's the looming unknown. But kids networks have reason to be cautiously optimistic as their upfront selling season begins. The big kids networks have seen double digit ad spending increases in the fourth quarter and into the first quarter as well, giving them hope that the upfront season may lift over last year's bleak one. Plus, one of the stalwart categories in the kids market family movies has enjoyed a terrific year and studios will likely spend more money this year, buoying the kids market.
Still, the market may be complicated this year by the coming addition of new players. Later this year, Discovery is expected to launch "The Hub" to 60 million homes in place of Discovery Kids. That network is a joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro. The ownership of the company presents unanswered questions for the industry such as how much Hasbro advertising will run on the channel and whether Hasbro will still spend as much on other networks. Discovery is keeping quiet on those specifics for now and doesn't plan on holding an upfront presentation, but will start individual meetings with advertisers and agencies in the near future, the network said.
However, ad buyers and kids networks say they aren't expecting the presence of new entrants to impact the upfront much. What's more, toys should remain a strong category for everyone, experts say.
While the market probably won't move in earnest for at least several more weeks, Disney and Nickelodeon have already presented their new programming slates to advertisers and Cartoon will take its turn next month. The early deals they're able to strike could set a tone for the rest of networks that follow.
Advertising Begins Rebound
"We started to see positive signs in the kids category back in October," said Jim Perry, executive VP of 360 brand sales at Nickelodeon. "That seemed to be a turning point when we started to see more movie studios and toy companies up their scatter spending." The network finished the fourth quarter of 2009 up 20% in scatter spending. Growth has continued into the first quarter, he said.
Though Disney Channel doesn't write scatter deals, revenue was up in double digits year to year for the fourth quarter, said Michelle Scarola, senior VP TV ad sales at Disney Media Sales and Marketing.
The fourth quarter is the true litmus test for the kids market since that's the time when advertisers want to tout their new goods and when parents spend the most money on kids. The strength in the toy and movie categories during the fourth quarter and on onto this year has been coupled with new spending from non-endemic kids advertisers. Dell, Hewlett Packard and Kodak have started to market printers and computers on kids networks, Perry said.
Still, the memory of the recession is far too fresh for networks or agencies to make bold predictions on spending. While kids networks enjoyed a strong holiday ad season, the circumspect nature of the recovery may keep spending tepid for some time. "The economy has stabilized but I wouldn't suggest it's back to where it was two years ago," said Jackie Kulesza, senior VP video activation director at Starcom. Plus there are ongoing regulatory issues surrounding kids advertising, she added. "There are a lot of factors that play into kids marketplace. There are discussions outside of our advertising world in Washington about this space and it continues to be a concern from a regulatory perspective. This administration might be bringing a different tone," she said.
Another ongoing challenge in the kids market is pricing. Demand is so strong for holiday buys, but advertisers and networks need to work out the right pricing for pre-holiday ad buys, she said. "It's a challenge for us and the vendors to figure out the demand in other times of the year," Kulesza said.
In terms of timing, she suspects the kids market will likely start to move closer to the adult market. "The kids upfront usually moves commensurate with the regular upfront," added John O'Hara, executive VP and general sales manager of Cartoon Network.
However, when the selling actually begins is anyone's guess and the kids market has the potential to move earlier.
O'Hara expects the market should rise in the toy, quick service restaurant and entertainment categories. "The toy business had a better fourth quarter than was anticipated so there's reason to believe that will sustain and movies are strong as well. The marketplace went through a lot last year and I am confident there will be growth in spending that will reflect the stronger demand," he said. "We will see a different demand scenario that will lead to stronger pricing in the marketplace versus last year."
Also, some deal-making will happen sooner and that's because multiplatform buys are critical to reaching kids who are so facile with digital viewing. Those deals take longer to put together so they occur year round, Scarola said.
New and Returning Shows
During its presentation, Disney focused on original movies and series as well as its hit animated show "Phineas and Ferb," which launched two years ago and has been a ratings juggernaut that attracts both boys and girls.
Meanwhile, Nickelodeon touted its sixteen returning shows and five new shows, including a live action series headlined by rising teen star Victoria Justice. Perry said the first quarter is on pace to be the most watched quarter in the network's 30-year history.
During its presentation next month, look for Cartoon to focus on its scripted live-action drama series, such as "Unnatural History" and "Tower Prep," and to continue to build on the success of its "Ben 10" franchise. The series has posted double digit ratings gains in kid demos in the fourth quarter, Cartoon Network said.
Other Players
In addition to the three networks, 4Kids Entertainment is another sizable player with its five-hour programming block on the CW. 4Kids will be presenting to agencies and clients over the coming weeks, focusing on its reach via broadcast, said Dan Barnathan, president 4Kids entertainment ad sales, marketing and promotion.
The other broadcasters will also play a role in the kids upfront via their Saturday morning kids lineups. That includes NBC's Saturday morning block programmed by Qubo, CBS's "Cookie Jar," and the kids block on ABC programmed via Disney. Fox no longer programs kids showing on Saturday mornings, due to competition from cable.
SyFy is also developing a kids programming block, but has not announced details or a timeframe.
Starcom's Kulesza also pointed out that marketers are also spending money in digital venues entirely separate from the upfront. "Certainly money will get more spread out as kids use media differently and use digital properties," she said.
Kids Upfront 2010: Networks, Agencies Cautiously Optimistic
By Daisy Whitney
Advertisers, agencies and networks are holding their breath for budgets to come in for the kids upfront. Why? Because the kids business usually unfolds first and could set the tone for the big ad selling season that's about to begin.
Everyone in the business wants to know the same thing will ad dollars be up over last year?
That's the looming unknown. But kids networks have reason to be cautiously optimistic as their upfront selling season begins. The big kids networks have seen double digit ad spending increases in the fourth quarter and into the first quarter as well, giving them hope that the upfront season may lift over last year's bleak one. Plus, one of the stalwart categories in the kids market family movies has enjoyed a terrific year and studios will likely spend more money this year, buoying the kids market.
Still, the market may be complicated this year by the coming addition of new players. Later this year, Discovery is expected to launch "The Hub" to 60 million homes in place of Discovery Kids. That network is a joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro. The ownership of the company presents unanswered questions for the industry such as how much Hasbro advertising will run on the channel and whether Hasbro will still spend as much on other networks. Discovery is keeping quiet on those specifics for now and doesn't plan on holding an upfront presentation, but will start individual meetings with advertisers and agencies in the near future, the network said.
However, ad buyers and kids networks say they aren't expecting the presence of new entrants to impact the upfront much. What's more, toys should remain a strong category for everyone, experts say.
While the market probably won't move in earnest for at least several more weeks, Disney and Nickelodeon have already presented their new programming slates to advertisers and Cartoon will take its turn next month. The early deals they're able to strike could set a tone for the rest of networks that follow.
Advertising Begins Rebound
"We started to see positive signs in the kids category back in October," said Jim Perry, executive VP of 360 brand sales at Nickelodeon. "That seemed to be a turning point when we started to see more movie studios and toy companies up their scatter spending." The network finished the fourth quarter of 2009 up 20% in scatter spending. Growth has continued into the first quarter, he said.
Though Disney Channel doesn't write scatter deals, revenue was up in double digits year to year for the fourth quarter, said Michelle Scarola, senior VP TV ad sales at Disney Media Sales and Marketing.
The fourth quarter is the true litmus test for the kids market since that's the time when advertisers want to tout their new goods and when parents spend the most money on kids. The strength in the toy and movie categories during the fourth quarter and on onto this year has been coupled with new spending from non-endemic kids advertisers. Dell, Hewlett Packard and Kodak have started to market printers and computers on kids networks, Perry said.
Still, the memory of the recession is far too fresh for networks or agencies to make bold predictions on spending. While kids networks enjoyed a strong holiday ad season, the circumspect nature of the recovery may keep spending tepid for some time. "The economy has stabilized but I wouldn't suggest it's back to where it was two years ago," said Jackie Kulesza, senior VP video activation director at Starcom. Plus there are ongoing regulatory issues surrounding kids advertising, she added. "There are a lot of factors that play into kids marketplace. There are discussions outside of our advertising world in Washington about this space and it continues to be a concern from a regulatory perspective. This administration might be bringing a different tone," she said.
Another ongoing challenge in the kids market is pricing. Demand is so strong for holiday buys, but advertisers and networks need to work out the right pricing for pre-holiday ad buys, she said. "It's a challenge for us and the vendors to figure out the demand in other times of the year," Kulesza said.
In terms of timing, she suspects the kids market will likely start to move closer to the adult market. "The kids upfront usually moves commensurate with the regular upfront," added John O'Hara, executive VP and general sales manager of Cartoon Network.
However, when the selling actually begins is anyone's guess and the kids market has the potential to move earlier.
O'Hara expects the market should rise in the toy, quick service restaurant and entertainment categories. "The toy business had a better fourth quarter than was anticipated so there's reason to believe that will sustain and movies are strong as well. The marketplace went through a lot last year and I am confident there will be growth in spending that will reflect the stronger demand," he said. "We will see a different demand scenario that will lead to stronger pricing in the marketplace versus last year."
Also, some deal-making will happen sooner and that's because multiplatform buys are critical to reaching kids who are so facile with digital viewing. Those deals take longer to put together so they occur year round, Scarola said.
New and Returning Shows
During its presentation, Disney focused on original movies and series as well as its hit animated show "Phineas and Ferb," which launched two years ago and has been a ratings juggernaut that attracts both boys and girls.
Meanwhile, Nickelodeon touted its sixteen returning shows and five new shows, including a live action series headlined by rising teen star Victoria Justice. Perry said the first quarter is on pace to be the most watched quarter in the network's 30-year history.
During its presentation next month, look for Cartoon to focus on its scripted live-action drama series, such as "Unnatural History" and "Tower Prep," and to continue to build on the success of its "Ben 10" franchise. The series has posted double digit ratings gains in kid demos in the fourth quarter, Cartoon Network said.
Other Players
In addition to the three networks, 4Kids Entertainment is another sizable player with its five-hour programming block on the CW. 4Kids will be presenting to agencies and clients over the coming weeks, focusing on its reach via broadcast, said Dan Barnathan, president 4Kids entertainment ad sales, marketing and promotion.
The other broadcasters will also play a role in the kids upfront via their Saturday morning kids lineups. That includes NBC's Saturday morning block programmed by Qubo, CBS's "Cookie Jar," and the kids block on ABC programmed via Disney. Fox no longer programs kids showing on Saturday mornings, due to competition from cable.
SyFy is also developing a kids programming block, but has not announced details or a timeframe.
Starcom's Kulesza also pointed out that marketers are also spending money in digital venues entirely separate from the upfront. "Certainly money will get more spread out as kids use media differently and use digital properties," she said.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Reading Rainbow, BBC Children, PBSKids, Sprout
Reading Rainbow plotting a return? In a tweet last week actor LaVar Burton, the host of the series for its full 23-year run, said, "You heard it here first ... Reading Rainbow 2.0 is in th[e] works! Stay tuned for more info.
But, you don't have to ...", per Huffington Post. Reading Rainbow, which both educated kids about reading, spotlighted books, provided kid reviews and encouraged kids to read for (dare I say) fun, ran on PBS 1983- 2006. For lots of folks, even those that don't recall the series clearly, the theme song remains in their heads ...
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow
Sprout, the 24/7 multi-platform preschool service, and Decode Enterprises, the distribution arm of DHX Media, announce the exclusive US debut of dirtgirlworld, a green living series for preschoolers that aims to get kids up, outside, active and to "go get grubby" with the dirtgirl and her equally eco-interested friends.
Sprout's Dig Into Earth Day with dirtgirlworld marathon will feature several episodes of the series and air on Sprout on TV from 12p-3p on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Following its debut, dirtgirlworld will air on Sprout daily at 4:50p.
Games, crafts and environment friendly tips for parents of preschoolers will be available on SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ). Created by writer/producer Cate McQuillen and composer/writer Hewey Eustace in northern New South Wales, Australia, the music-centric dirtgirlworld series features a mix of live-action and animation with photomontage and illustration. dirtgirlworld also airs on CBeebies (UK), CBC (Canada) and ABC (Australia).
PBS Kids will host its annual Share the Earth Day, featuring eco/science/outdoor-themed episodes of 15 series, on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (check local listings).
The goal of the programming event, which includes episodes of Curious George, Sesame Street and Super Why!, The Electric Company and Cyberchase, is to encourage kids to learn about the earth and explore earth sciences on a daily basis.
On the digital front, PBSKidsGo.org/video ( www.pbskidsgo.org/video ) will feature the online premiere of WordGirl's Earth Day Girl episode, as well as a themed channel of Earth Day episodes. From this week, PBSKidsGo.org will launch new content on EekoWorld, an interactive website that introduces kids to the basics of ecosystems, conservation and pollution, and on April 5th, PBSKidsSGo.org/designsquad/contest will feature the launch of the 2010 Trash to Treasure competition which challenges kids to recycle, reuse and reengineer everyday items into new inventions.
PBSKids.org ( www.pbskids.org ) will offer 20+ environment and nature games, as well as an Earth Day specific playlist at PBSKIDS.org/video. Additionally, PBSParents.org
( www.pbsparents.org ) will showcase eco friendly crafts and kid party ideas, and host an as the expert Q&A with Kimberly Brenneman, education advisor on Sid The Science Kid. PBSTeachers.org ( www.pbsteachers.org ) will host a webinar on April 5, titled Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
BBC Children's new Director, Joe Godwin, unveils the new CBeebies spring/fall 2010 programming line up. Included in the new lineup are:
Zingzilla - a music-based series developed and produced in-house by CBeebies Productions;
Mighty Mites a new series hosted by Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which encourages kids to get up and get moving in various activities, each episode two kids go on an adventure to try an activity for the first time;
Mister Maker Comes To Town Mister Maker returns with a new series as he takes his arts and crafts on the road to get kids involved in art projects at home; Let's Celebrate celebrates the different religious and cultural festivals around the UK and meeting kids and families as the prepare for the celebrations;
The Octonauts debuting later this year the series features a group of underwater adventure heroes as they set out to rescue sea animals and explore underwater worlds, the series is based on the books by Meomi;
Same Smile host Nisha Anil bicycles across the UK with her three cuddly pandas to visit kids and discover our similarities and differences, the series is a collaboration with BBC teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London;
Everything's Rosie the CG animated series about Rosie, "a 21st century ragdoll" that lives in a playhouse and sets out on adventures with her pals during which they learn about life and friendship;
Timmy Time Timmy and his pals head out on a new set of barnyard exploits;
Tinga Tinga Tales the series returns with new stories about animals based on African folk tales and the Tingatinga art of Tanzania.
But, you don't have to ...", per Huffington Post. Reading Rainbow, which both educated kids about reading, spotlighted books, provided kid reviews and encouraged kids to read for (dare I say) fun, ran on PBS 1983- 2006. For lots of folks, even those that don't recall the series clearly, the theme song remains in their heads ...
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow
Sprout, the 24/7 multi-platform preschool service, and Decode Enterprises, the distribution arm of DHX Media, announce the exclusive US debut of dirtgirlworld, a green living series for preschoolers that aims to get kids up, outside, active and to "go get grubby" with the dirtgirl and her equally eco-interested friends.
Sprout's Dig Into Earth Day with dirtgirlworld marathon will feature several episodes of the series and air on Sprout on TV from 12p-3p on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Following its debut, dirtgirlworld will air on Sprout daily at 4:50p.
Games, crafts and environment friendly tips for parents of preschoolers will be available on SproutOnline.com ( www.sproutonline.com ). Created by writer/producer Cate McQuillen and composer/writer Hewey Eustace in northern New South Wales, Australia, the music-centric dirtgirlworld series features a mix of live-action and animation with photomontage and illustration. dirtgirlworld also airs on CBeebies (UK), CBC (Canada) and ABC (Australia).
PBS Kids will host its annual Share the Earth Day, featuring eco/science/outdoor-themed episodes of 15 series, on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (check local listings).
The goal of the programming event, which includes episodes of Curious George, Sesame Street and Super Why!, The Electric Company and Cyberchase, is to encourage kids to learn about the earth and explore earth sciences on a daily basis.
On the digital front, PBSKidsGo.org/video ( www.pbskidsgo.org/video ) will feature the online premiere of WordGirl's Earth Day Girl episode, as well as a themed channel of Earth Day episodes. From this week, PBSKidsGo.org will launch new content on EekoWorld, an interactive website that introduces kids to the basics of ecosystems, conservation and pollution, and on April 5th, PBSKidsSGo.org/designsquad/contest will feature the launch of the 2010 Trash to Treasure competition which challenges kids to recycle, reuse and reengineer everyday items into new inventions.
PBSKids.org ( www.pbskids.org ) will offer 20+ environment and nature games, as well as an Earth Day specific playlist at PBSKIDS.org/video. Additionally, PBSParents.org
( www.pbsparents.org ) will showcase eco friendly crafts and kid party ideas, and host an as the expert Q&A with Kimberly Brenneman, education advisor on Sid The Science Kid. PBSTeachers.org ( www.pbsteachers.org ) will host a webinar on April 5, titled Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
BBC Children's new Director, Joe Godwin, unveils the new CBeebies spring/fall 2010 programming line up. Included in the new lineup are:
Zingzilla - a music-based series developed and produced in-house by CBeebies Productions;
Mighty Mites a new series hosted by Sarah-Jane Honeywell, which encourages kids to get up and get moving in various activities, each episode two kids go on an adventure to try an activity for the first time;
Mister Maker Comes To Town Mister Maker returns with a new series as he takes his arts and crafts on the road to get kids involved in art projects at home; Let's Celebrate celebrates the different religious and cultural festivals around the UK and meeting kids and families as the prepare for the celebrations;
The Octonauts debuting later this year the series features a group of underwater adventure heroes as they set out to rescue sea animals and explore underwater worlds, the series is based on the books by Meomi;
Same Smile host Nisha Anil bicycles across the UK with her three cuddly pandas to visit kids and discover our similarities and differences, the series is a collaboration with BBC teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London;
Everything's Rosie the CG animated series about Rosie, "a 21st century ragdoll" that lives in a playhouse and sets out on adventures with her pals during which they learn about life and friendship;
Timmy Time Timmy and his pals head out on a new set of barnyard exploits;
Tinga Tinga Tales the series returns with new stories about animals based on African folk tales and the Tingatinga art of Tanzania.
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