Science-based CG-animated preschool series is directed by ‘The Wild Thornberrys’ director Mark Risley and executive produced by Michael Matays, Matthias Schmitt and Charles Matays, with Allan Neuwirth serving as head writer.
NEW YORK -- Space Race, LLC announced that NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network Sprout will launch season two of the award-winning, animated Space Racers series this fall. Currently in production with 40 original 11-minute episodes, Space Racers has the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Camp as a partner to develop new educational curricular material to accompany the show.
Space Racers maintains its focus on high quality content designed to engage and entertain preschoolers with exciting space missions throughout the solar system and beyond. Beginning this fall, Sprout will air all new episodes of Space Racers Season 2 in conjunction with re-airings of the 50 x 11’ Season 1 adventures. In addition to broadcast, the Space Racers series will be available on Sprout’s VOD and digital platforms.
“Space Racers has established a loyal, worldwide fan base over the past two years and we are excited to partner with Sprout for the U.S. rollout of season two of the show this fall,” said Michael Matays, Executive Producer and Space Race, LLC’s CEO. “Space Racers entertains and teaches kids about the wonders of space and science with references to real space missions. Our goal is to stimulate children’s imaginations and to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, astronauts and explorers.”
“Space Racers taps into preschoolers’ curiosity to discover and learn about the world around them,” said Amy Friedman, SVP, Programming & Development at Sprout. “We’re excited to introduce our viewers to the Space Racers cadets. We think they’ll make a great addition to the Sprout family!”
Space Racers follows Eagle, Robyn, Hawk, Starling, Raven and their fellow cadets as they explore the solar system and the universe. Headmaster Crane, Professor Coot and other faculty members of the Stardust Bay Space Academy guide the cadets on missions that cover heliophysics, earth science, planetary science and astrophysics among many science disciplines explained at a preschool level. The stunning CGI animation plus authentic sounds and images from outer space provided by NASA bring the richness of space and diversity of planetary landscapes, as well as the characters, vividly to life for young minds. Along with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp, Space Race, LLC will expand on the existing curriculum of highly engaging lessons focused on the science and technology components of an early childhood STEM curriculum.
“Space Racers is a friendly launch pad to excite the imagination of the youngest members of the Mars Generation,” Dr. Deborah Barnhart, Chief Executive Officers of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center said. “It turns the universe into their future runway. Space Racers embodies the experience of Space Camp, preparing the next generation of scientists, explorers and leaders.”
Space Race, LLC has engaged Carlin West Agency LLC (CWA) to secure partnerships for Space Racers with leading licensees in all merchandise categories.
Commanding the Space Racers missions of Season 2 production are veteran executive producers Michael Matays, Matthias Schmitt and Charles Matays. The show’s original world-class creative team remains intact with Emmy Award-winning director Mark Risley (Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, Yo-kai Watch), head writer Allan Neuwirth (Octonauts, Tumble Leaf, Cyberchase) and composer/songwriter Jody Gray (Courage the Cowardly Dog). Returning cast members are Yuri Lowenthal as Eagle, Alicyn Packard as Robyn, Meyer DeLeeuw as Hawk, Johnny Yong Bosch as Raven, Melissa Hutchison as AVA/Starling, Phil Lollar as Headmaster Crane, Joseph Terry as Professor Coot, Rick Zieff as Pigeon and Katie Leigh as Sandpiper.
Source: Nickelodeon
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
