Move over 4Kids’ FOX BOX and Discovery Kids,
DIC Entertainment is in the business of providing a three-hour programming block for kids designed to help stations meet their FCC “core” programming requirements. Premiering September 1, 2003 on major broadcast outlets, including local FOX, WB and UPN affiliates, The DIC Kid’s Network offers three separate exclusive programming feeds, along with a Spanish language feed on every series for the SAP channel, to air on different stations, creating a commercial sweep for major advertisers. The DIC Kid’s Network is the only network for kids that reaches effectively 100% of U.S. households on more than 400 stations, airing in every DMA across the country, according to David Ozer, svp of domestic television for DIC, who made the announcement.
DIC retained Tribune Entertainment to promote The DIC Kid’s Network as an alternative advertising tool for advertisers trying to reach the kid’s market such as Hasbro, McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Master Foods, Nestle, Chuck E. Cheese’s and Bandai. A comprehensive marketing and promotional campaign will support the block.
“The DIC Kid’s Network offers broadcasters an unrivaled one-stop-shop with our dynamic, turnkey programming packages and provides advertisers with a virtual roadblock, whereby one paid commercial will air on up to three different stations in a local market,” comments Ozer. “With such an extensive reach, we anticipate meeting advertisers’ expectations, and we look forward to continuing to provide kids across the U.S. with quality entertainment.”
The programming was tailored by a team of industry experts, including veteran children’s entertainment pioneer Margaret Loesch, Dr. Donald Roberts and Thomas More Storke, professor of communication at Stanford University, who specializes in children and media; to bring entertaining programs to the public that also contain curriculum designed to satisfy FCC requirements for educational content. In an effort to address the increasing attention surrounding kids’ nutrition, the DIC Kid’s Network package utilizes the company’s flagship character, Inspector Gadget, to deliver nutritional tips in addition to providing programming, health and nutritional PSAs for kids.
The programming blocks are comprised of six half-hours of animated programs from DIC Entertainment’s extensive library of more than 3,200 half-hours of popular animated programming, including SABRINA, SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE ARCHIE’S, STARGATE INFINITY, THE LITTLES and more.
Ozer joined DIC in 2002 to spearhead domestic television for the company. Previously, he served for 10 years was a vp at Columbia TriStar Television/Sony for 10 years where he launched major network award-winning hits, INCLUDING SEINFELD, MAD ABOUT YOU, THE NANNY and the long-running syndicated series, THE RICKI LAKE SHOW.
DIC boasts the largest independent library of animation with an estimated 25 million children watching DIC’s popular programs each week. DIC is a full-service studio headquartered in Burbank, California, with production, development, distribution, home video, marketing and licensing departments. DIC founder/chairman Andy Heyward made his fortune and built his studio in syndicated television, and it looks like he’s found a way, even in the difficult indie station climate of the U.S, to return to his successful roots.
