Hollywood, CA -- World-renowned family entertainment producer and distributor The Jim Henson Company has licensed all 66 x 30’ episodes of its four-time Daytime Emmy-nominated preschool series, SID THE SCIENCE KID, to India’s Zee for its newly launched Zee-Q—the first “edutainment’ channel of India targeting 4 to14-year-old children. The announcement was made today by Richard Goldsmith, EVP Global Distribution, The Jim Henson Company.
Starring the inquisitive and funny preschooler, Sid, each episode of SID THE SCIENCE KID features practical skill-building fun, using music and humor to celebrate children’s natural curiosity about science in everyday life. With each topic, Sid finds answers in familiar places, encouraging preschoolers to discover fun in their everyday world!
The agreement was signed ahead of the upcoming Asia Television Forum, at which The Jim Henson Company will exhibit for the first time this year; and the Asian Animation Summit, where the Company will be focusing on meeting with potential co-production partners.
“Zee is acquiring educational content for the new Zee-Q channel that will foster curiosity through fun and entertainment, and SID THE SCIENCE KID is a natural fit,” commented Goldsmith. “We are looking forward to attending our first ATF to introduce our entire catalog of new and classic programming to the Asian market, and to further our goal of attracting additional co-production partners in the region at both the ATF and the Asian Animation Summit.”
The Company has formed co-production alliances with several Asian partners in recent years, including its first Chinese co-production partnership earlier this year for SID THE SCIENCE KID: THE MOVIE with Nine Eyes Stone and the Shanghai Animation Film Studio; and with Sparky Animation, with the participation and assistance of the Singapore Media Development Authority, for its award-winning CG animated series DINOSAUR TRAIN.
At the ATF, the Company’s focus will be on the following key properties:
ANNOYING ORANGE (Kids 6-11, Animation, 60 x 11’), the YouTube phenomenon that became an instant hit when it debuted on Cartoon Network, continually ranking amongst the top shows for boys in the time period. Dane Boedigheimer and Tom Sheppard (Pinky and the Brain) co-created the television series while The Collective developed and produced the project. Conrad Vernon (Madagascar 3, Monsters vs. Aliens) serves as executive producer along with Gary Binkow and Dan Weinstein of The Collective.
PAJANIMALS (Preschool, Live-Action Puppetry, 52 x 11’), four cuddly characters who welcome children to play games, sing songs and join them on fun adventures as they resolve challenges typically encountered during every preschooler’s day. The series, described as “mom’s best helper,” helps both moms and kids establish daytime and bedtime routines. The series airs in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool television channel Sprout and NBC Kids.
DOOZERS (Preschool, CG-Animation, 52 x 11’), the characters first introduced in the hit classic series Fraggle Rock, return to charm a new generation of preschoolers. The series follows the adventures of the Doozers who live in a high-tech community that melds nature with innovation, and focuses on four Doozer kids who make up the colorful “Pod Squad.” They’re an exceptionally talented team when it comes to creating, imagining, brainstorming and building!
SID THE SCIENCE KID: THE MOVIE (Preschool, Animation, 1 x 73’) in which Sid and other contest winners get to visit a new science museum before it opens to the public. There they meet a quirky scientist, voiced by Christopher Lloyd, who has designed robot tour guides of the future. Sid and his new friends must work as a team to find a rogue robot and save the grand opening!
FARSCAPE (Drama, Live-Action, 88 x 60’) the groundbreaking primetime Emmy-nominated and multiple Saturn award-winning sci-fi production that has become a fan favorite around the world. Viewers will follow John Crichton and the crew of Moya on a journey to places they never dreamed possible. Sizzling with brilliant characters, breathtaking effects, high-stakes action, and irreverent humor, FARSCAPE is a story of good versus evil, obsession, friendship, and love.
Source: The Jim Henson Company