Sprout Makes Viewers The Stars Of Its New Afternoon Block
By amoody
Created 04/09/2008 - 00:00
PBS KIDS Sprout is making viewers the stars of its new original afternoon block, THE SPROUT SHARING SHOW.
Launching on May 5, 2008 in the 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET timeslot previously occupied by THE LET'S GO SHOW (which is moving to weekend afternoons), THE SPROUT SHARING SHOW will be hosted by a group of fun and loveable hand puppets who will showcase viewer-submitted videos featuring preschoolers showing off their talents and "Look what I can do!" moments.
Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers.
Debuting in this new block as a Sprout linear channel exclusive will be the innovative new show PICME, licensed by HIT Entertainment, and created by Irish production company Jam Media.
Set inside a homemade cardboard puppet theater, THE SPROUT SHARING SHOW will feature the Sprout House Band -- Patty, a loveable and positive pig emcee who encourages everyone to let their talents shine; Ricky, a colorful rabbit showman on keyboards; and Curtis E. Owl, a beatnik owl who plays the stand-up bass.
The band will perform songs and introduce videos submitted by viewers. These original shorts, which promote sharing, imagination and family interaction, will air between Sprout viewer favorites such as FIFI AND THE FLOWERTOTS, JAY JAY THE JET PLANE, PINGU, DRAGON TALES, FIREMAN SAM and the new interactive PICME.
Additionally, the Sprout House Band will be sharing artwork sent in by viewers that has been transformed into animated shorts by the Little Director company using a unique technology that allows children's drawings on paper to become animated stories.
PICME, debuting in THE SPROUT SHARING SHOW on May 5, 2008, puts children directly into the story alongside animal friends Juno, Gerty, Banjo, Umi, Clarence and Neville.
Using proprietary software called Head-hunter, PICME's 2-D Flash animation was developed in-house by Jam Media and enables parents to superimpose a digital image of their child onto an animated body to give them a chance at a "starring role" in the show. Sprout will choose a new child's photo every week day at random to appear in PICME.
In 2005, PICME was awarded the Best Digital Storytelling Category at the Digital Media Awards and received first place at the Kidscreen Pitch It Summit. PICME also picked up the award for Best Youth Programme at the Irish Film and Television Awards.
For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, visit SproutOnline.com. To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.866.9.SPROUT.
