Posted by Steven Wood
on 29/5/2008, 8:27 pm
220.239.196.X
"And now.... It's Hi-5 UK on TV-AM!"?
Just got this off the net. I am not surprised at this, but I am still very shocked:
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Hi-5 HITS THE UK
Turner to produce localised version of popular pre-school show.
Turner Broadcasting has revealed that it has commissioned a local version of Hi-5 to air on its pre-school channel Cartoonito.
Some 40 episodes will be created, with casting beginning next month. Also partnering on the UK series is free to air broadcaster GMTV, which will begin showing episodes in 2009 following the premier on Cartoonito later this year.
"Hi-5 has enjoyed world renowned success and we're delighted to commission a UK produced version," said Cecilia Persson, VP of programming, acquisitions and presentation at Turner Kids Channels.
"Each week the series will focus on some of Hi-5's most notable themes such as music, friends, animals, family and outdoors. Underpinned with an ethos of exercise and dance, it also has positive messaging encouraging kids to get active."
Hi-5 is a massive hit in Australia, while it also screens in 118 countries with a global audience reach in excess of five million people.
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I have mixed feelings about this announcement. While I think it is great to always explore new production franchising opportunities, I get the feeling that many of their British (and to a certain extent Irish) fans and viewers will be put off watching the show by the sight of a new bunch of practically unknown Hear'Say-wannabe types taking over and that the early Australian cast episodes may discontinue being shown on TV in Britain once their contract with Channel Five ends and Turner starts making this new local version for the UK.
I wish Turner would go ahead and just let Southern Star Entertainment start making some special additional "Hi-5 Extra" content featuring the Australian cast but aimed specifically at their British audiences. I like the idea of having one show for the whole global market hosted by the same original bunch of people. I know this probably will not happen.
Interesting how GMTV (which was once known as TV-AM under Bruce Gyngell and David Frost's co-management and still had Sir David's morning show on Sundays for a little while after the 1993 takeover) is also involved in this new local Hi-5 spin-off production. Plus ITV (which carries GMTV) is the number one rated free-to-air terrestrial network in the UK.
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