Video: Sprout(R) Makes Viewers the Stars of its New Original Afternoon Block, The Sprout Sharing Show

Video: Sprout(R) Makes Viewers the Stars of its New Original Afternoon Block, The Sprout Sharing Show

International hit show PICME debuts in The Sprout Sharing Show Monday, May 5, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- PBS KIDS Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, 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. Debuting in this new block as a Sprout linear channel exclusive will be the innovative new show PICME, licensed by HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality preschool entertainment, and conceived by Irish production company Jam Media.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/pbskids/32566/

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(TM), Jay Jay the Jet Plane(R), Pingu(TM), Dragon Tales(TM), Fireman Sam(TM) and the new interactive PICME. Additionally, the Sprout House Band will be sharing artwork sent in by viewers which 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.

"Sprout is the only preschool network 'made for you, by you,'" said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming for Sprout. "Whether it's showcasing a child's homemade birthday card on the live Sunny Side Up Show, sharing a viewer-submitted craft on The Good Night Show or airing kids' homemade videos on The Sprout Sharing Show, Sprout's linear channel is taking user-generated content to the next level by completely integrating it into our unique 24-hour format that follows the day of preschooler from breakfast to bedtime."

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 weekday 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.

About Sprout(R)

PBS KIDS Sprout, the first 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, Sprout has become the #1 On Demand service for younger children, generating over 380 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 37 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/pbskids/32566

Source: PBS KIDS Sprout

CONTACT: Jenni Glenn of PBS KIDS Sprout, +1-215-286-2703,
jenni_glenn@sproutonline.com

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

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Profile: International Entertainment