Comcast, HIT Ent., PBS and Sesame Workshop to Launch Children’s Cable Chann
Comcast Corp., HIT Entertainment Plc., PBS and Sesame Workshop today (Oct. 20, 2004) announced plans to launch a 24-hour digital cable television channel for preschool children and a companion video-on-demand (VOD) service. The channel will bring together some of the best-known classic and contemporary children’s shows and is expected to launch in fall 2005.
This unprecedented partnership between Comcast, the leading U.S. cable provider; PBS, the renowned public service broadcaster; and HIT Ent. (U.K. based) and Sesame Workshop, two of the leading providers of quality entertainment for young children. Programmers have an extensive library to choose from more than 4,000 episodes from PBS, Sesame Workshop and HIT – including children’s favorites, such a BOB THE BUILDER, BARNEY, THOMAS & FRIENDS, ANGELINA BALLERINA and additional PBS KIDS titles.
In early 2005, the companion VOD package will be available to cable companies in the U.S. and will include more than 50 hours of programming for preschoolers and their families.
“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with the leading providers of family-friendly, educational children’s programming,” said Brian L. Roberts, chairman/ceo of Comcast. “This channel will be a resource for parents and caregivers, who will be able to depend on it to always offer age-appropriate viewing options that present positive, enriching messages. We’re committed to launching this new channel in a significant number of our markets, and we will work with other cable and satellite companies to reach as many customers as possible.”
Comcast just launched the Comcast Kids Channel, a safe interactive environment designed for today’s broadband family, featuring premier content from Disney Online.
“The new channel brings together a wonderful lineup of children’s content that will delight and inspire young children and their families for generations to come,” said Peter Orton, chairman of HIT Ent. “This is a transforming deal for HIT as we make our first move into broadcasting. And we are delighted to be in partnership with Comcast, PBS and Sesame Workshop, each of whom brings their own tremendous and unique strengths to this ground-breaking venture.”
“PBS is committed to maintaining its leadership role in delivering the best educational programming to as many children and parents as possible,” said Pat Mitchell, president/ceo of PBS. “This unique public/private partnership not only assures a strong, viable PBS KIDS programming block on PBS stations, available free over-the-air, but also extends PBS' mission into different platforms. We are happy to be in a mutually beneficial partnership with Sesame Workshop, HIT Ent. and Comcast.”
“For 36 years, Sesame Workshop has achieved enormous success in fulfilling its mission to use television and other media to help children reach their highest potential,” said Gary E. Knell, president/ceo, of the nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop. “We are thrilled to be joining with our primary broadcaster, PBS, and extending our footprint together through this exciting new venture with leading content and distribution partners."
Founded in 1968 in New York City, Sesame Workshop (www.sesameworkshop.org) first developed the legendary SESAME STREET TV program. The Workshop is behind award-winning programs like DRAGON TALES and SAGWA, THE CHINESE SIAMESE CAT and ground breaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia.
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, PBS (www. pbs.org) is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves America’s 349 public noncommercial television stations, reaching more than 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions.
This unprecedented partnership between Comcast, the leading U.S. cable provider; PBS, the renowned public service broadcaster; and HIT Ent. (U.K. based) and Sesame Workshop, two of the leading providers of quality entertainment for young children. Programmers have an extensive library to choose from more than 4,000 episodes from PBS, Sesame Workshop and HIT – including children’s favorites, such a BOB THE BUILDER, BARNEY, THOMAS & FRIENDS, ANGELINA BALLERINA and additional PBS KIDS titles.
In early 2005, the companion VOD package will be available to cable companies in the U.S. and will include more than 50 hours of programming for preschoolers and their families.
“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with the leading providers of family-friendly, educational children’s programming,” said Brian L. Roberts, chairman/ceo of Comcast. “This channel will be a resource for parents and caregivers, who will be able to depend on it to always offer age-appropriate viewing options that present positive, enriching messages. We’re committed to launching this new channel in a significant number of our markets, and we will work with other cable and satellite companies to reach as many customers as possible.”
Comcast just launched the Comcast Kids Channel, a safe interactive environment designed for today’s broadband family, featuring premier content from Disney Online.
“The new channel brings together a wonderful lineup of children’s content that will delight and inspire young children and their families for generations to come,” said Peter Orton, chairman of HIT Ent. “This is a transforming deal for HIT as we make our first move into broadcasting. And we are delighted to be in partnership with Comcast, PBS and Sesame Workshop, each of whom brings their own tremendous and unique strengths to this ground-breaking venture.”
“PBS is committed to maintaining its leadership role in delivering the best educational programming to as many children and parents as possible,” said Pat Mitchell, president/ceo of PBS. “This unique public/private partnership not only assures a strong, viable PBS KIDS programming block on PBS stations, available free over-the-air, but also extends PBS' mission into different platforms. We are happy to be in a mutually beneficial partnership with Sesame Workshop, HIT Ent. and Comcast.”
“For 36 years, Sesame Workshop has achieved enormous success in fulfilling its mission to use television and other media to help children reach their highest potential,” said Gary E. Knell, president/ceo, of the nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop. “We are thrilled to be joining with our primary broadcaster, PBS, and extending our footprint together through this exciting new venture with leading content and distribution partners."
Founded in 1968 in New York City, Sesame Workshop (www.sesameworkshop.org) first developed the legendary SESAME STREET TV program. The Workshop is behind award-winning programs like DRAGON TALES and SAGWA, THE CHINESE SIAMESE CAT and ground breaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia.
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, PBS (www. pbs.org) is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves America’s 349 public noncommercial television stations, reaching more than 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions.
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