Celebrating a successful first season run with big ratings, DIC Entertainment is gearing up for the fall 2004 season with the debut of a new slate of animated series and specials to air across DIC Kids Network. The diverse roster includes the star-studded LIBERTYS KIDS; the ground-breaking CGI/live-action adventure series ACE LIGHTNING and the globally popular SABRINAS SECRET LIFE, as well as classic holiday animated specials such as A CHRISTMAS CAROL, INSPECTOR GADGET SAVES CHRISTMAS, MONSTER MASH, SONIC CHRISTMAS BLAST and JINGLE BELL ROCK.
"We are thrilled with the results of DIC Kids Networks first season, said David Ozer, svp, domestic television, DIC, delivering competitive ratings to our stations; meeting the advertisers expectations and entertaining kids with an inventive line-up of programming. He adds, We are furthering our commitment to continue to build DIC Kids Network into the top television destination for kids by adding an entire new level of programming to the mix, as well as developing strategic marketing and cross-promotional opportunities.
Launched in September 2003, DIC Kids Network is a unique three-hour programming block available on 450 stations across100% of the U.S. markets on more than 450 stations, airing literally in every DMA across the country. DKN has competed head-to-head with the major kids networks, consistently out-performing ABC Kids, CBS Kids and FOX BOX.
DKN offers broadcasters three separate programming feeds, along with a Spanish language feed on virtually every series for the SAP channel, which airs in 200 different stations, creating a commercial sweep for major advertisers, including Hasbro, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Bandai, Master Foods, Mattel, Nintendo, Universal Studios and many more. The programming blocks are comprised of six half-hours of animated programs from DICs library of more than 3,000 half-hours of animated programming.
LIBERTYS KIDS debuted on PBS in the U.S. DKN will air 40 half-hours the show featuring celebrity voices, including Walter Cronkite, Michael Douglas, Warren Buffett, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Annett Bening, Arnold Schwarzennegger, Ben Stiller, Maria Shriver, Sylvester Stallone,
LIBERTYS KIDS will be distributed in 2004 on DVD and a comprehensive publishing campaign is in development with Penguin Putnam. The series is also supported by a marketing and promotional campaign that includes a live theatrical tour performing at school as well as additional education outreach spearheaded by PBS.
ACE LIGHTNING will debut in the U.S. on DKN after a successful run on in the U.K. on the BBC, averaging 1.2 million viewers and garnering a 26% share among K-11 viewers The series has been translated into 17 languages and is seen in some 40 countries. ACE LIGHTNING has an extensive merchandise line, including action figures, books, videos, DVDs and videogames. BBC has commissioned a third season of 13 episodes, which is currently in development.
The hit classic, SABRINA THE ANIMATED SERIES joins its new companion series SABRINAS SECRET LIFE on the DKN with 65 half-hour episodes scheduled to air next season.
DKN will debut five holiday specials in December 2004. MONSTER MASH (60 minutes), is a musical inspired by the famous pop song by Bobby Boris Pickett. Based on Charles Dickens classic tale, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (90 minutes), is now a full-length animated musical featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Whoopi Goldberg, Ed Asner and Michael York. The Emmy Award-nominated NBC primetime special, INSPECTOR GADGET SAVES CHRISTMAS (30 minutes), follows the holiday adventures of DICs classic character. Inspired by the worldwide Christmas hit, JINGLE BELL ROCK, the half-hour special, featuring the voice talent of legendary Milton Berle, finds Santa Claus facing bankruptcy unless he can find some much needed funds. The world turns upside down in the comedy SONIC CHRISTMAS BLAST (30 minutes) when Santa Claus announces his retirement.
