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Kermit Channel was a 24-hour cable channel that operated in various Asian territories from August 31, 1998 until December 2002. The network was a joint-venture between the Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment, the latter of which operated the network, while Henson supplied a majority of the programming.
History[]
On May 14, 1998, The Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment entered into a 50-50 partnership to launch a dedicated television channel called the Kermit Channel, with a planned launch date set for Asia and Latin America in September 1998.[1] The network began its test operations in the regions on August 31, 1998 with distribution through affiliates of the Hallmark Entertainment Network. The pre-launch of the Kermit Channel featured a revolving three-hour sked of programs, and beginning October 1st would expand to a full schedule.[2]
In January 1999, Kermit Channel launched in Taiwan[3], and within the year had expanded to Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka.[3] Plans for the network to expand to Japan and China were also planned. A suggestion to rebrand the Odyssey Network (which Hallmark and Henson had purchased stakes in) as an American version of Kermit Channel was also planned.[2] The Latin American version of Kermit Channel never got past the test transmissions.
On May 31, 1999, it was announced that the network would expand to India and alongside a local version of Hallmark, would be operated and distributed under license by Modi Entertainment Network.[4]
Kermit Channel was given a makeover on July 4, 1999, with focus given to its dedicated blocks.[5]
On September 1, 2000, EM.TV, who had previously acquired The Jim Henson Company in February, exchanged Henson's 50% stake in Kermit Channel and Odyssey Network for a 8.2% stake in Crown Media Holdings, the then-owners of Kermit and Odyssey. On November 1, 2000, Kermit Channel ceased operations in Asia due to poor viewing figures, with programming being moved to Hallmark Entertainment Network as part of two 3-hour blocks that would air daily from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm, although this was soon reduced before being removed completely. The Indian version was not affected, and continued to operate as a standalone channel.[6]
In December 2002, Kermit Channel India ceased operations after a new deal between EM.TV, Crown Media and Modi Entertainment Network to continue broadcast of the network fell through.[7]
Programming[]
As the name implies, Kermit Channel broadcast reruns of various Jim Henson productions. The channel also broadcast reruns of productions owned by Hallmark Entertainment and Children's Television Workshop.
During the 1999 relaunch, the channel was split into several strands which each focused on a specific topic:
- Education - Aired programs such as The Animal Show, The Ghost of Faffner Hall and acquired series Pappyland. This block aired twice a weekday.
- Pre-School - Aired programs acquired from Children's Television Workshop, in addition to then-new Henson productions such as Mopatop's Shop and Construction Site.
- Kids' Entertainment - Aired programs such as Brats of the Lost Nebula and daily reruns of The Muppet Show. A sub-strand dedicated to animation aired Muppet Babies and various productions from animation studio Filmation, such as Groovie Ghoulies, The Adventures of Waldo Kitty, Blackstar, Space Sentinels and Hero High.
- Weekend Nights - Saturday Nights were highlighted with episodes of Muppets Tonight and Aliens in the Family, while Sunday Nights were highlighted with the anthology shows The StoryTeller and Kermit’s Sunday Showcase, the latter of which featured one-hour specials from both the Henson and Hallmark catalogues.
In between programs, the network aired various station idents featuring Kermit the Frog.
To usher in the year 2000, the network scheduled a 24-hour Muppet Show marathon on New Year's Eve.
Videos[]
Sources[]
- ↑ Kermit Channel To Launch In Asia (May 14, 1998)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Variety Kermit taps Bruce G.M. (September 1, 1998)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kermit’s hop-about in Asia (December 1, 1999)
- ↑ International channels Hallmark and Kermit to be launched in India
- ↑ U.S. nets grow their Asia footprint (May 1, 1999)
- ↑ Kermit channel goes off air in Asia (November 3, 2000)
- ↑ Kermit goes off the air; Hallmark, Modi Entertainment may launch family channel (December 22, 2002)