JimJam Launching New Pre-School Series

Press Release from JimJam

London, November 19, 2009 -- Global pre-school channel JimJam, a joint venture between HIT Entertainment and Chello Zone, is pleased to announce the world premiere of a new pre-school series, Jarmies.

The series, which has been created by London based production company Jarmies LTD, will premiere on JimJam’s dedicated Sky Italia feed on 4th January, 2010 fully dubbed into the local language.  The Italian unveiling of the Jarmies will shortly be followed by launches on all of JimJam’s feeds, including the Pan European, Asian and Middle Eastern feeds.

“Jarmies is a welcome addition to JimJam’s rapidly expanding family,” says Wayne Dunsford, JimJam’s General Manager.  “The series combines fun and discovery by incorporating basic English language learning, which compliments JimJam’s mission to help grown-ups contribute to their children’s development.”

Developed with assistance from the Institute of Education, University of London, Jarmies is an animated children’s series following a gang of little stars as they learn about their garden environment and each other.  The series is also intermixed with live action footage featuring two young children named Tim and Holly.  The Italian version will be narrated by well-known local Italian actor, Lorenzo Ciompi.

Jarmies is the brainchild of David Bouchier, who was previously Managing Director, Programming at Sky Italia and the original creator of JimJam.

He commented: “A knowledge of English has become essential for almost everyone and Jarmies provides an important first step for pre-schoolers for whom English is not their first language.”

“It is a fun, easily accessible series and certainly one in which parents will be able to put their trust to bring an early experience of English to their children.”

The signing of this new programme follows JimJam’s recent announcement of another world premiere, Baby Antonio’s Circus from leading children’s entertainers – The Wiggles.

Since its launch in 2006, JimJam has rapidly expanded across four feeds and into more than 50 territories, including Poland, Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, the Middle East, Singapore and Indonesia.  It is available in ten languages and has a strong online presence with 11 localised websites via www.jimjam.tv [1].

JimJam is a TV channel dedicated to pre-school children aged between 1 – 6 years, and their parents and carers.  JimJam is the ideal companion to parenting, providing a stimulating, fun and safe environment for young children. Its high quality programming stars some of the world’s best-loved pre-school TV characters, including Thomas & Friends; Bob the Builder; Barney; Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam. Trusted, inspiring and engaging, JimJam’s shows have been specifically created to contribute to the emotional, intellectual and social development of children.