Press Releases & News Briefs

24-HOUR PRESCHOOL TELEVISION CHANNEL SPROUT® TO LAUNCH IN HD

Dedicated channel to feature all of preschool’s most trusted and loved shows in high-definition

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 set to launch its own separate, high-definition, 24-hour Sprout HD channel in September 2010.

Sprout HD will simulcast with its standard-definition channel, allowing parents and kids to get up close and personal with all of their favorite characters from Sprout's gold-standard, trusted programming like Sesame Street®, Barney & Friends™, Thomas & Friends™, Caillou® and more.  Sprout has also been shooting several of its original programs, such as the popular The Good Night Show® with Nina and Star, in high-definition.  Additionally, the network has also been looking to acquire new shows in HD. 
 
"As we approach the five-year anniversary of our network, and children's content continues to become increasingly more available in HD, it was the right time for Sprout to launch a dedicated 24-hour HD channel," said Sandy Wax, president of Sprout.  "We pride ourselves on being a truly interactive network that parents and kids share together, so we are thrilled to be able to deliver the best in preschool entertainment to families in the highest quality format available." 

For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, or to play games, download free coloring pages or find great activities for kids, visit SproutOnline.com.  To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.8.SPROUT.411 or go to SproutPlease.com. 

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About Sprout®
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, and is on track to reach one billion orders in 2010.  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 50 million unique households.

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based children's shows includes:  Sesame Street®, Bob the Builder™, Barney & Friends™, The Wiggles®, Thomas & Friends™, Angelina Ballerina™, Caillou®, The Berenstain Bears™, Dragon Tales™, Make Way For Noddy™, Fireman Sam™, Fifi and the Flowertots™, dirtgirlworld and more.

Press Contact:
Jenni Glenn                                                                                          
Sprout                                                                   
215-286-2703                                                     
jenni_glenn@sproutonline.com