BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 12 -- DIC Entertainment (DIC), a leading independent children's entertainment powerhouse, launches The DIC Kid's Network on September 1, 2003, a unique three-hour programming block for kids designed to help stations meet their FCC "core" programming requirements. The announcement was made today by David Ozer, Senior Vice President, Domestic Television, DIC Entertainment. The premiere signifies an unprecedented achievement in kid's programming -- The DIC Kid's Network is the only network for kids that reaches effectively 100% of U.S. households on over 400 stations, airing in every DMA across the country.
Premiering 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, including Hasbro, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Master Foods, Nestle, Chuck E. Cheese's and Bandai, just to name a few. 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. The block will be supported by a unique and comprehensive marketing and promotional campaign.
"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 US with quality entertainment."
DIC retained a team of industry experts, including veteran children's entertainment pioneer Margaret Loesch and Dr. Donald Roberts, Thomas More Storke Professor of Communication at Stanford University who specializes in children and media, to bring programs to the public that not only provide first-rate entertainment for kids, but 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 includes, in addition to programming, health and nutrition Public Service Announcements for kids, utilizing the company's flagship character, Inspector Gadget, to deliver nutritional tips. The programming blocks are comprised of 6 half-hours of animated programs from DIC Entertainment's extensive library of over 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 as Vice President at Columbia Tri-Star Television/Sony where he was responsible for launching major network award- winning hits, including "Seinfeld," "Mad About You," "The Nanny" and the long- running syndicated series, "The Ricki Lake Show."
