Arthur enters its 10th season on television and 30th year in publishing with new direct to video, HBA partners and other great news
Arthur spin-off series Postcards from Buster kicks off its inaugural season with Emmy nominations, a reading series, and activity books
New York, NY (June 21, 2005) -- Licensing Show brings news for both Arthur and his best friend Buster. Entering its 30th year in publishing and its 10th season on PBS, the Arthur television series is currently ranked #1 with kids 2-11 on public television and has one of the highest Q scores with moms, averaging 10.5 million viewers per week. Its spin-off, Postcards from Buster, premiered in October 2004 to great success and follows Arthur's friend Buster as he travels cross country to explore and learn about diverse cultures.
Helping to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of "A Charlie Brown, Christmas" are numerous partners both long term and new:
News from Arthur
Look for a 3-D (Computer Generated) direct to video with Lion's Gate, set to launch fall 2006.
Dey will feature Arthur on its kid's asthma medication in August '05.
Little Brown Publishing will release five new titles this year.
A new Arthur Pixter Learning Rom by Fisher Price is due to launch November 2005 at mass retailers
Wendy's hosted a successful kid's meal promotion with Arthur in Q1 '05. McDonald's did the same internationally.
Healthy Moments Vitamin Strips featuring Arthur were launched last year at mass retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, and Eckerds, and were received with great success.
Annie's Home Grown organic macaroni and cheese, a regular Arthur promotional partner, has added D.W., Arthur's sister, to its sku list.
News from Postcards from Buster
Postcards from Busters' inaugural season on PBS was met with two Emmy Award nominations for "Outstanding Children's Series" and "Outstanding writing in a Children's Series." Just recently, the show was nominated for a Television Critics Award for children's programming.
Little Brown Publishing released nine books this year as part of a Postcards from Buster reading series.
Paradise Press is developing Postcards from Buster activity books, which are slated to release in October of this year.
About Arthur
Together along with his family and friends, including that pesky little sister D.W., Arthur brings answers and perspective to the issues, problems, and everyday tumult that make up life for preschoolers and young children. Known the world-over via the Emmy award winning PBS television series and 115-title book publishing franchise, the Arthur cartoon began airing on PBS in 1996. It now appears in over 60 countries. Among the accolades, Arthur is the only children's television program awarded the prestigious 2001 Peabody Broadcasting Award. Whether the topic is school, friendship, allowance, chicken pox, or just being a good sport, Arthur is everyone's best friend; just a real live eight year old aardvark who is open, vulnerable, and a little bit daring.
About Postcards from Buster
Postcards from Buster, a spin-off of the always popular Arthur TV and publishing franchise, will join the weekday PBS Kids lineup in fall 2004. During the 40 initial episodes, Postcards from Buster will follow Buster as he travels cross country to explore and learn about diverse cultures. Postcards from Buster will use a groundbreaking combination of music, narrative animation and documentary style live-action blended with the award-winning animation elements of Arthur - plus kid-based humor, great storytelling and a recurring cast of enjoyable, familiar characters.
About United Media
Arthur and Postcards from Buster are licensed by United Media. United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. The company recently signed Televisa, a leading Spanish speaking media company, to represent the US rights to the company's children's telenovelas, as well as its long-running hit television series "El Chavo." It also partnered with industry toy leader Bandai America, Inc. on brands including Tamagotchi Connection. United Media licenses and/or syndicates other properties, including, Precious Moments, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, Arthur, and Dilbert. United Media is an E.W. Scripps Company.
