HD Channel Acquires Three New Kids Series to Premiere in November 2007
Highly-Anticipated ANIMALIA Series to Make World Debut on Animania HD
New York, NY – October 22, 2007 – VOOM HD Networks' Animania HD, a channel solely dedicated to high-definition animation, announced today the acquisition of three new kids series. Headlining the lineup of acquired programming is the world premiere of ANIMALIA, based on Graeme Base's best-selling picture book of the same name, on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 8:30pm. In addition, the channel has acquired the short-form series, THE GLOOPS, which will debut on Saturday, November 3 as part of a pre-school programming block "Little Big Blocks" at 9:00am, from Neptuno Films, as well as 26 half-hours of COSMIC QUANTUM RAY, an international co-production from Taffy Entertainment/Mike Young Productions, Method Films, M6, KIKA/ARD, Europool, Telegael, SKC&C, UTV and Ocean Productions, Inc., to premiere Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 8:00pm. Animania HD is part of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide.
Today's announcement of these newly acquired series comes on the heels of three September acquisitions by Animania HD and Family Room HD, as the channels continue to expand their library of quality high-definition content in both animation and live action.
"Animania HD is actively working to give children a truly cinematic viewing experience by airing animated programming in true HD," said Keith O'Connell, Vice President of Programming for VOOM HD's Film and Series Services. "Animania is continually committed to showcasing quality, innovative animation from around the world, contributing to our ever-increasing library of high-definition entertainment."
Descriptions of the newly acquired series follow:
- ANIMALIA, an international best-selling picture book, will come to life and make its worldwide debut on Animania HD with 40 half-hour episodes. The series, produced by Australia's BAFTA Award-winning Burberry Productions in association with the Emmy Award-winning team at PorchLight Entertainment, features two contemporary kids, Zoe and Alex, who visit the extraordinary land of Animalia, a spectacular place inhabited by talking animals from the pages of Graeme Base's classic book. Mysterious events have undermined the very fabric of Animalian civilization and Zoe and Alex, along with their new best friends G'Bubu Gorilla and Iggy D'Iguana, will do everything they can to restore peace and order in Animalia. Premieres Friday, November 2, 2007 at 8:30pm.
- THE GLOOPS, a new short-form and voiceless series, stars a lovable family of aliens poised to invade planet Earth. The Gloops play guessing games with sounds, and the main concept of the series is for viewers to play an active role and join in. Sounds are based on various scenarios and riddles depicted by different characters in each episode, such as a baby crying, an ostrich playing basketball, a dog driving a police car, or an elephant playing drums, among others. The true stars of the series are the Gloop family – Dad Gloop, Mom Gloop, and Children Gloop – who are sure to delight young viewers and stimulate their imagination. Premieres Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 9:00am .
- COSMIC QUANTUM RAY is a zany comedy-action-adventure series that brings the strange, dark, freaky corners of the universe to the world of Earth teenager, Robbie Shipton. Robbie represents Earth as a member of Team Quantum – an elite, eccentric team of intergalactic heroes that saves the Universe almost every day, and hopefully in time for Robbie to get to his third-period science class! The other members of Team Quantum include: Quantum Ray of the Ninth Dimension, Atee and Geecey of the Tooferwun Galaxy – an advanced civilization – and Bucketworth, the gadget guru. Together, they battle evil, brilliant aliens, cosmic surfers and more. Cosmic Quantum Ray was created by and developed in partnership with world-renowned quantum physicist Dr. Bhaumik, and will feature the latest in 3-D computer graphics imagery (CGI). The series will also help make quantum physics more engaging for kids, with a "Science Fact-tion" at the end of each episode. Premieres Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 8:00pm.
About VOOM HD Networks
VOOM HD Networks comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition channels for distribution through satellite and cable operators. Produced exclusively in true high-definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound, VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. VOOM HD Networks' 15 HDTV channels are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and Cablevision's iO digital cable service. A 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available internationally and is currently distributed in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Select VOOM HD programming is also available worldwide and has been licensed for exhibition in more than 150 countries. Building on parent company Rainbow Media Holdings LLC's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.