Jeff Harris
08-08-2002, 03:16 PM
You know, DiC news just get clogged in the pipes, but when the Fox Box lineup was announced, one bit of news got left out, namely what Fox affiliates are putting on weekday mornings to fill that 2 1/2 FCC broadcast mandate of educational programming. Here goes for your perusal.
(Burbank, California---May 17, 2002) DIC Entertainment has entered into an agreement with FOX to provide 2 1/2 hours of FCC compliant video described (programmed for the sight impaired) animated programming a week for airing on the FOX affiliates. The announcement was made Friday morning May 17, 2002 at the FOX Board of Governors meeting.
Producing and providing programming that is both educational and entertaining has been a very important part of our corporate mandate since we collaborated with Ted Turner on the 'Captain Planet' series. We have had a very successful track record in this area having produced 'Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego,' the first Emmy award winning FCC friendly series and more recently 'Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century.' Both of these shows ran on FOX kids, said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of DIC Entertainment.
The 2 1/2 programming block will be comprised of three shows, two from the DIC library "Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century" and "Archies Weird Mysteries." DIC will provide two half-hours a week each of these shows. "Stargate Infinity" will make up the final half-hour. "Stargate Infinity" is an original show co-produced with MGM who also distributed the feature film and currently distributes the live-action version for syndication as well.
Margaret Loesch, who most recently was the founding President and CEO of Crown Media United States, and who built the foundation for and guided the launch of the U. S. Hallmark Channel, has been retained as a non-exclusive consultant for DIC. Ms. Loesch, who in December of 2001, joined the Board of Trustees of Sesame Workshop, producers of the highly esteemed multiple award-winning educational series: Sesame Street, will provide oversight to insure that the programs meet al the necessary FCC requirements. Ms. Loesch, who was also the founding President and CEO of FOX Kid's networks, Worldwide, will also be available to advise and consult with DIC in its dealings with the FOX affiliates.
"We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Margaret. An Emmy-award winning producer in her own right, she is one of the true 'Tiffany' names in family and kid’s entertainment and one of the very few who has been successful as a network programmer and a production provider. She will be a tremendous asset to DIC in ensuring the success of this venture," said Brad Brooks, president of DIC Entertainment.
"Stargate Infinity" the animated series focuses on a veteran human Stargate traveler, Gus Bonner, and four teenage trainees from Earth's Stargate Academy. The focus is on the teens and how they each must find a way to trust the other team members and learn to interact with the unusual new cultures they meet on their journeys. Central to each episode of STARGATE INFINITY will be the use of Stargate's portals that allow those who master them to travel almost instantaneously to planets all over the universe.
Stanford University's Dr. Donald Roberts, former chair of the Stanford School of Communications, will supervise the FCC-compliant elements of these stories of personal growth and cultural understanding. Dr. Roberts is an expert in the field who has specialized in compliance with The Children's Television Act since it was first implemented.
The "Stargate Infinity" series will be produced by Emmy Winning Producer /Director Mike Maliani. Erik Lewald, DIC senior vice president of creative affairs, will oversee production.
(Burbank, California---May 17, 2002) DIC Entertainment has entered into an agreement with FOX to provide 2 1/2 hours of FCC compliant video described (programmed for the sight impaired) animated programming a week for airing on the FOX affiliates. The announcement was made Friday morning May 17, 2002 at the FOX Board of Governors meeting.
Producing and providing programming that is both educational and entertaining has been a very important part of our corporate mandate since we collaborated with Ted Turner on the 'Captain Planet' series. We have had a very successful track record in this area having produced 'Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego,' the first Emmy award winning FCC friendly series and more recently 'Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century.' Both of these shows ran on FOX kids, said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of DIC Entertainment.
The 2 1/2 programming block will be comprised of three shows, two from the DIC library "Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century" and "Archies Weird Mysteries." DIC will provide two half-hours a week each of these shows. "Stargate Infinity" will make up the final half-hour. "Stargate Infinity" is an original show co-produced with MGM who also distributed the feature film and currently distributes the live-action version for syndication as well.
Margaret Loesch, who most recently was the founding President and CEO of Crown Media United States, and who built the foundation for and guided the launch of the U. S. Hallmark Channel, has been retained as a non-exclusive consultant for DIC. Ms. Loesch, who in December of 2001, joined the Board of Trustees of Sesame Workshop, producers of the highly esteemed multiple award-winning educational series: Sesame Street, will provide oversight to insure that the programs meet al the necessary FCC requirements. Ms. Loesch, who was also the founding President and CEO of FOX Kid's networks, Worldwide, will also be available to advise and consult with DIC in its dealings with the FOX affiliates.
"We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Margaret. An Emmy-award winning producer in her own right, she is one of the true 'Tiffany' names in family and kid’s entertainment and one of the very few who has been successful as a network programmer and a production provider. She will be a tremendous asset to DIC in ensuring the success of this venture," said Brad Brooks, president of DIC Entertainment.
"Stargate Infinity" the animated series focuses on a veteran human Stargate traveler, Gus Bonner, and four teenage trainees from Earth's Stargate Academy. The focus is on the teens and how they each must find a way to trust the other team members and learn to interact with the unusual new cultures they meet on their journeys. Central to each episode of STARGATE INFINITY will be the use of Stargate's portals that allow those who master them to travel almost instantaneously to planets all over the universe.
Stanford University's Dr. Donald Roberts, former chair of the Stanford School of Communications, will supervise the FCC-compliant elements of these stories of personal growth and cultural understanding. Dr. Roberts is an expert in the field who has specialized in compliance with The Children's Television Act since it was first implemented.
The "Stargate Infinity" series will be produced by Emmy Winning Producer /Director Mike Maliani. Erik Lewald, DIC senior vice president of creative affairs, will oversee production.