Season two of new series launches in the UK on CBeebies, Monday 13th March
London, UK – 26 February 2017 – A host of stars and their families including: Arsenal and England soccer hero Theo Walcott; TV personalities Kimberly Wyatt, Imogen Thomas, Charlotte Hawkins, Jasmine Harman, Nick Knowles, George Gilbey, Megan Salmon-Ferrari, and Naomi Konickova; and actors Linda Robson, Claire Sweeney, Tom Chambers, Anna Acton, Ben Hull, Hannah Waddingham, Katherine Parkinson with husband Harry Peacock, Kevin Eldon, Suzanne Shaw and Leon Ockendon descended upon London’s South Bank in their party best today to say “eh-oh” to the Teletubbies and wish them a Happy 20th Anniversary.
Attending the event in their party hats, Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po were on hand to dispense big hugs and celebrate 20 years of children’s TV fun, as well as the start of a brand new season of adventures on CBeebies from Monday, March 13th.
Kimberly Wyatt said: “It’s been a great party. My daughter is just the biggest Teletubby fan and she’s had a fantastic time!”
Claire Sweeney said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant. To see my son genuinely delighted to see the Teletubbies in the flesh was a real pleasure. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning!”
Guests were invited to walk the green carpet and join the festivities with entertainers, craft activities, songs and dances and a sneak preview of an episode from the new season, introduced by CBeebies’ favourite Chris Jarvis. And children were delighted to go home with party bags brimming with Teletubby goodies!
Controller of CBeebies, Kay Benbow, said: “It is great to able to join today’s celebrations of this cherished programme that continues to delight fans old and new. The reaction to the episode shown today from the brand new season was simply amazing.”
Global phenomenon Teletubbies first launched on BBC Two on 31st March 1997 and went on to win countless awards including the Japan Prize Grand Prix, the most prestigious accolade in children’s educational television. It is now one of the most successful global children’s brands of all time. It has reached over 1 billion children around the world with the original episodes airing in over 120 territories in 45 different languages. Teletubbies was the very first western preschool property to air on China’s CCTV – reaching an audience of 300 million children – and a brand new series, produced by DHX Media, is now delighting a whole new generation of children in the UK, US and beyond. On the anniversary itself – 31st March 2017 brand new episode “Sliding Down” which introduces the new element the Tubby Slidey for the first time will air on CBeebies in the UK.
About Teletubbies
Originally created in 1997, multiple award-winning Teletubbies is designed to encourage young children to watch television creatively. Full of fun and exploration, it inspires confidence and curiosity and nurtures childhood development. In September 2013, DHX Media acquired all rights to Teletubbies and engaged award-winning UK production company Darrall Macqueen to executive produce a 21st century version of the show for a new generation of viewers. DHX Media handles global distribution and all licensing and merchandising for Teletubbies.
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company. Owner of the world’s largest independent library of children’s content, at more than 12,500 half-hours, the Company is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. As a content producer and owner of intellectual property, DHX Media delivers shows that children love, licensing its content to major broadcasters and streaming services worldwide. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media also operates one of the largest networks of children’s content on YouTube. The company’s robust consumer products program generates royalties from merchandise based on its much-loved children’s brands. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has offices in 15 cities globally, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DHX.A and DHX.B) and the NASDAQ Global Select Market (DHXM).
About CBeebies
CBeebies is dedicated to delighting and surprising its pre-school audience and remains the UK’s most watched and most loved channel for the under-sixes. Almost half of the target audience tune in every week and our reach is double that of our nearest competitor. A multi-genre, multi-platform channel, CBeebies offers distinctive, mostly UK produced content from Dramas like Topsy & Tim, Katie Morag and brand new CBeebies Apple Tree House to observational documentaries, Time for School and Our Family. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive nature of our content from Swashbuckle to Something Special, from Jamillah & Aladdin to Magic Hands. Our audience love being able to see themselves reflected in our content and engage with their favourite characters in our digital experiences, like the phenomenally successful CBeebies Playtime & Storytime Apps, CBeebies You Tube or the Kids iPlayer App. Of course parents trust us too and show their appreciation on our Twitter & Facebook pages.
The past year has seen the hugely successful launch of Footy Pups, geography series Go Jetters, Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures and Twirlywoos. And we continue to offer unique event programming, with our annual Christmas show, the CBeebies Prom, CBeebies Stargazing, collaborations with Northern Ballet and the highlight of 2016, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, proving that Shakespeare can be made accessible to pre-schoolers! CBeebies provides the very youngest audience with the very best content, with learning at its core – it is fun, trusted and truly distinctive.
About Darrall Macqueen
Darrall Macqueen is a triple Bafta award winning UK indie producing high-quality and innovative children’s and preschool entertainment for major broadcasters around the world. Formed in 2000 by former Disney execs Maddy Darrall and Billy Macqueen, the company has a proven track record of devising and producing long-running children’s properties.
Recent successes include Baby Jake (CBeebies) Pre-school Programme of the Year at the Broadcast Awards 2013 and Best Mixed Media Programme at the British Animation Awards 2014. The Fly High and Huggy flash and mobile games for CBBC and CBeebies (launched April 2014) and CBeebies first Pre-School drama series with a narrative arc Topsy and Tim (60 x 11 minutes), the huge TV and online ratings hit of winter 2013.