Video: PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) Launches Television's Only Live Preschool Morning Program: The Sunny Side Up Show

Video: PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) Launches Television's Only Live Preschool Morning Program: The Sunny Side Up Show

Hosted, live programming provides preschoolers and their parents a place to gather and prepare for the day ahead, share birthdays, ideas, crafts and more

Show debuts Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 9:00 a.m. ET

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PBS KIDS Sprout (SproutOnline.com), the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, will launch television's only live preschool morning program, The Sunny Side Up Show, on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. ET. This new three hour block will link Sprout's gold-standard shows, such as Barney & Friends(TM) and Bob The Builder(TM), with live, hosted segments that create a warm, welcoming and fun environment where preschoolers and their parents and caregivers can gather each weekday morning to prepare for the day ahead and share birthdays, greetings, ideas, crafts and interact live with the hosts (via email submissions through SproutOnline.com).

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/pbskidssprout/28979/

Hosted by Kevin Yamada, who most recently served as host for Sprout's The Birthday Show, and Philadelphia-based actress Kelly Vrooman, The Sunny Side Up Show takes place inside a whimsical barn in the hills of Sprout with staging such a toaster-shaped monitor displaying viewer-submitted artwork and photos and a crate-desk for the show's two hosts who will rotate weekly. Each day, the host is joined on-air by Chica, a witty, playful chicken puppet who communicates with kazoo-like sounds only understandable by the hosts. Chica will also supply surprise eggs that can be cracked open for clues, games and even a joke-of-the-day.

Each week, The Sunny Side Up Show will explore a new theme ranging from colors, numbers and letters to manners, gardening and pets. Themes will also reflect holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Mother's Day. Special guests will stop by to visit on a regular basis, so on any given day, viewers could get a special treat from a Sesame Street(R) character like Big Bird, or Nina from Sprout's The Good Night Show.

"The show's live aspect allows for viewer interaction to be immediate and unique, creating a true sense of community," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming for Sprout. "We've been celebrating birthdays on Sprout since we launched two years ago, and The Sunny Side Up Show takes this concept of a preschool network made 'for you, by you' to a whole new level."

Sandy Wax, president of Sprout added, "The Sunny Side Up Show rounds out our network's distinctive programming line-up that follows the day of the preschooler from breakfast to bedtime. Whether you are starting your day with our live morning show, discovering new things every afternoon with The Let's Go Show, or getting ready for bed each night with The Good Night Show, Sprout is always there to share in what's important to preschoolers and their families."

SproutOnline.com will play a key role in the show's unique, live interaction between viewers and hosts linking preschoolers and their parents to the live broadcast encouraging them to share thoughts. For example, "What's the weather like where you live?" or "How will you be a good egg today and help out at home?" Parents, along with their preschoolers, will be able to submit messages and send photos through the website directly to the hosts who may share their submissions live on the air.

Recently, the Webby Award-winning SproutOnline.com launched enhanced features that included preschooler generated content, parent blogs, new games, character pages and more. The site's password protected "My Refrigerator" section, the first user-generated, art sharing online community for preschoolers and their families, allows parents to upload their children's favorite photos and homemade artwork; communicate with friends and family through the private Sprout Mail center; keep track of their preschooler's favorite games and activities; and view fun event dates and activity recommendations from Sprout.

Fore more information on Sprout and any of its programs, go to SproutOnline.com.

About Sprout

PBS KIDS Sprout(SM), the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, was created as a partnership among Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop. Since debuting its video on demand (VOD) service in April 2005, PBS KIDS Sprout has become the #1 On Demand service for younger children, generating over 250 million orders. The 24-hour digital channel, which launched in September 2005 along with the website (SproutOnline.com), is the only channel that follows the day of child from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive programming. Currently, Sprout is available in 34 million unique households.

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based children's shows includes: Sesame Street(R), Bob the Builder(TM), Barney & Friends(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM), Angelina Ballerina(TM), Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat(TM), Caillou,(R) The Berenstain Bears(TM), Jay Jay the Jet Plane(R), Teletubbies(TM), Dragon Tales(TM), Pingu(TM), Make Way For Noddy(TM), Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks(TM) and more.

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Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/pbskidssprout/28979

Source: PBS KIDS Sprout

CONTACT: Jenni Glenn, of PBS KIDS Sprout, +1-215-667-2703,
jenni_glenn@sproutonline.com

Web site: http://www.sproutonline.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment