NEW YORK, Aug. 14 -- The Teletubbies are coming -- again! Ragdoll, creator of international phenomenon Teletubbies, today announced that their new series TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE will make its US debut as part of the PBS KIDS preschool programming block on January 20th, 2003. Each daily Teletubbies program will open with a 10-minute episode of TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE, which premiered in the UK in 2002 on the BBC's digital preschool channel CBeebies. TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE focuses on early learning concepts and features the lovable characters in a completely different format. As a special Teletubbies treat, Ragdoll will also deliver 20 new Teletubbies episodes to PBS KIDS for broadcast in 2003.
Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po -- characters beloved by youngsters all over the world -- appear in a visually unique new studio-based show TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE. The 52-episode 10-minute treat-sized programs for preschool children combine the irresistible humor and comedy of the original with a non-linear series of simple games, counting exercises, musical patterns and rhythms specially designed to help develop children's cognitive skills. Each episode also features a live action segment that showcases children from around the world, including Russia, South Korea and India.
"The success of Teletubbies all around the world has shown that children understand the Teletubbies and the Teletubbies understand children everywhere," said Anne Wood, Founder and Creative Director of Ragdoll. "Our new programs showcase the faces and activities of children from the many different countries that continue to join in the fun, and the Teletubbies demonstrate that the fun of learning is universal."
"The Teletubbies have been essential to PBS KIDS since their debut in 1998," said Alyce Myatt, vice president, programming, PBS. "TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE is a unique and innovative extension of the original Teletubbies concept that reinforces important educational concepts in a way that children are sure to enjoy. The combination of TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE and the original series creates a wonderful new viewing experience for children -- I think that kids will find that watching TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE is like being out and about, and when they're done, they get to come home to the Teletubbies in Teletubbyland..."
TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE is the latest original series developed by Ragdoll. Teletubbies, which debuted in 1997, has become one of the most successful children's programs in history. Toys R Us will unveil an exclusive new line of Teletubbies plush toys in September 2002, and PBS has a broadcasting agreement to air the top-rated show through 2008. Dannon Danimals is the proud sponsor of Teletubbies on PBS KIDS.
About Ragdoll
Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Ragdoll was founded in 1985 by acclaimed children's television producer Anne Wood. She created the Teletubbies series with Andrew Davenport for the BBC in 1997, and more than one billion children in over 120 territories can currently enjoy the program. In the United States, Teletubbies is broadcast in partnership with PBS. Brum, whose wacky adventures debuted last year on the BBC to stellar reviews and ratings, and will premiere in the US in February 2003 on the READY SET LEARN! programming block on Discovery Kids and TLC. Also in 2003, Nickelodeon will produce content for and broadcast Open a Door, Ragdoll's unique series of five-minute films showcasing the lives of children around the world. Ragdoll programs Teletubbies, Brum, Tots TV, Rosie & Jim, BadJelly the Witch and Open a Door have all achieved international recognition. Ragdoll's Office for the Americas in New York City is responsible for introducing and managing all of these innovative Ragdoll properties in North and South America. For more information about Ragdoll Ltd visit their website http://www.ragdoll.co.uk.
About PBS and PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS provides a nonviolent, noncommercial daily television schedule that empowers children as members of their communities, nation and world. PBS KIDS welcomes parents, teachers, and caregivers as learning partners through broadcast as well as online through pbskids.org. PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media enterprise, owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. Serving nearly 100 million people each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. More information about PBS is available at http://www.pbs.org, the leading dot-org Web site on the Internet.
