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[[File:Hit.jpg|thumb|300px|The logo for Henson International Television, the predecessor company to HIT Entertainment.]]
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[[File:Hit.png|right|300px]]
  
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'''HIT Entertainment''' was originally formed as '''H'''enson '''I'''nternational '''T'''elevision (hit!) in [[1983]] as a branch of [[the Jim Henson Company]] in order to coordinate the co-production of ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'' in [[London]]. The subsidary was later reincorporated and sold; it is now owned by [[Mattel]].
  
   
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'''HIT Entertainment''' was a company that mostly focused on the production and distribution of children's material. It originally functioned as a subsidiary of [[The Jim Henson Company|Henson Associates]] before being split off and reincorporated.
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Headquartered in [[London]], HIT currently owns the ''Thomas and Friends'', ''[[Barney & Friends]]'', and ''Bob the Builder'' franchises, among others. The company also co-founded US cable network [[Sprout|PBS Kids Sprout]], with [[NBC|NBC/Universal]], [[PBS]], and [[Sesame Workshop]]. With Mattel's acquisition of HIT, that stake is retained by HIT's former parent company, Apax.
  
   
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==Association with Henson==
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In April [[2004]], the Jim Henson Company signed a five-year agreement that gave HIT distribution rights of a large portion of the company's "family showcase" media catalogue. In [[2006]], HIT partnered with [[20th Century Fox]] Home Entertainment for distribution of their DVD titles<ref>[http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/3292/ Fox Home Entertainment and HIT Entertainment Reach Distribution Accord] January 1, 2006</ref> and in [[2008]], distribution was taken over by [[Lionsgate]].<ref>[http://www.hitnewsonline.com/releases/detail/lionsgate_distribute_hit_entertainments_premiere_family_library/ Lionsgate® Selected to Distribute HIT Entertainment's Premiere Family Entertainment Library in North America]</ref>
  
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The company was originally formed as '''H'''enson '''I'''nternational '''T'''elevision (hit!) in [[1982]] as a partnership consisting of Jim Henson and media entrepreneur Peter Orton, who served as the chief executive officer. The partnership between Henson and Orton began when the latter worked for [[Sesame Workshop|Children's Television Workshop]]'s international arm, distributing [[Sesame Street]] internationally.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/peter-orton-media-entrepreneur-who-made-a-global-success-of-bob-the-builder-764554.html</ref> The formation of Henson International Television allowed for Henson Associates to expand the international distribution of their properties following the end of their partnership with [[ITC Entertainment]]<ref>[https://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2013/01/1171982/ Jim's Red Book -- 1/17/1982 -- Meet with Robert Holmes A Court]</ref> , as well as coordinate the co-production of ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'' in [[London]].
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HIT produced several Henson VHS and DVD releases, including such shows as ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'', ''[[Animal Jam]]'', ''[[Mother Goose Stories]]'' and ''[[Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas]]'', several with newly produced bonus features.
  
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HIT also co-produced the Henson television series ''[[Frances]]'' and retains distribution rights.
  
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==Company history==
  
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HIT (Henson International Television) was originally established as an international distribution arm of [[Jim Henson Productions]]. The division was later reincorporated as HIT Communications plc. Following the death of [[Jim Henson]] in 1990, the business was sold off to several members of the company's management, led by Peter Orton (1943-2007), and renamed HIT Entertainment to prevent any future confusion between the two companies.
  
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Apax Partners acquired the company in May 2005.
  
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In October 2011, it was announced that American toy company [[Mattel]] had concluded a deal to purchase Hit Entertainment for $680 million. PBS Kids Sprout was not included in the deal, and that stake is retained by Apax Partners.
  
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On February 1, 2012, the merger was completed, and HIT Entertainment became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel.
  
   
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In 1989, with the then-planned purchase of Jim Henson Productions by [[The Walt Disney Company]], Peter Orton was allowed by Henson to branch off on his own. Orton fully purchased Henson International Television in October 1989, and re-incorporated it as '''HIT Communications PLC'''. With the split, the company no longer had held distribution rights or association to Henson's properties.<ref>https://variety.com/2007/scene/news/hit-entertainment-s-peter-orton-dies-1117978040/</ref>
   
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===Post-Henson===
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On April 1, [[2004]], The Jim Henson Company and HIT Entertainment signed a five-year agreement that gave HIT distribution rights of a large portion of the company's "family showcase" media catalogue. The deal also included a co-production deal where The Jim Henson Company would produce programs that HIT would distribute, with ''[[Frances]]'' being the first of the shows that were part of the new venture.<ref>https://muppetcentral.com/news/2004/040104.shtml</ref> HIT distributed various VHS and DVD releases of Henson shows and movies in the United States and United Kingdom, which included ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'', ''[[Animal Jam]]'', ''[[Mother Goose Stories]]'' and ''[[Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas]]'', with many of them including newly produced bonus features.
   
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HIT was one of the co-founders of the the US cable network [[Sprout|PBS Kids Sprout]], alongside [[NBC|NBC/Universal]], [[PBS]], and [[Sesame Workshop]].
   
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==Releases==
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===United States===
 
<gallery spacing="small" widths="200">
  
<gallery spacing="small" widths="200">
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File:Hit.jpg
  
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Image:Hitlogo.jpg
  
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</gallery>
  
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==Releases==
  
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<gallery spacing="small" widths="202">
  
 
Image:WIABDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Where It All Began|Fraggle Rock: Where It All Began]]''}}
  
Image:WIABDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Where It All Began|Fraggle Rock: Where It All Began]]''}}
 
Image:DYCADVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Dance Your Cares Away|Fraggle Rock: Dance Your Cares Away]]''}}
  
Image:DYCADVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Dance Your Cares Away|Fraggle Rock: Dance Your Cares Away]]''}}
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Image:FraggleRockDVDS2.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock: Complete Second Season]]''}}
  
Image:FraggleRockDVDS2.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock: Complete Second Season]]''}}
 
Image:FraggleRockseason3DVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock: Complete Third Season]]''}}
  
Image:FraggleRockseason3DVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock: Complete Third Season]]''}}
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Image:Shakealeg.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Shake a Leg|Animal Jam: Shake a Leg]]''}}
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Image:Shakealeg.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Animal Jam videography|Animal Jam: Shake a Leg]]''}}
 
Image:Springin.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Springin'!|Animal Jam: Springin'!]]''}}
  
Image:Springin.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Springin'!|Animal Jam: Springin'!]]''}}
 
Image:Jamtogether.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Let's Jam Together|Animal Jam: Let's Jam Together]]''}}
  
Image:Jamtogether.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Let's Jam Together|Animal Jam: Let's Jam Together]]''}}
 
Image:Hugaday.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Hug a Day|Animal Jam: Hug a Day]]''}}
  
Image:Hugaday.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Hug a Day|Animal Jam: Hug a Day]]''}}
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Image:MGSJAJDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mother Goose Stories: Jack and Jill (DVD)|Mother Goose Stories: Jack and Jill]]''}}
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Image:MGSJAJDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mother Goose Stories: Jack and Jill (DVD)|Mother Goose Stories: Jack and Jill]]''}}
 
Image:MGSHDDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty (DVD)|Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty]]''}}
  
Image:MGSHDDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty (DVD)|Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty]]''}}
 
Image:EOJBCCEDVD.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (video)|Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas: Collector's Edition]]''}}
  
Image:EOJBCCEDVD.JPG|{{GNH|''[[Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (video)|Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas: Collector's Edition]]''}}
  ⚫
</gallery>
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===United Kingdom===
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<gallery spacing="small" widths="200">
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Image:HickoryDickoryPAL.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mother Goose Stories videography#International DVD releases|Mother Goose Stories: Hickory, Dickory Dock & other Classic Nursery Rhymes]]''}}2005<br>HEN42400
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Image:Dvd.dogcity.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Dog City: The Movie]]''}}2005<br>HEN42401
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Image:MopatopDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mopatop's Shop videography|Mopatop's Shop: Grand Opening]]''}}2005<br>HEN42402
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Image:2005_UK_DVDAnimatedFraggleRock-NEW.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Dance Your Cares Away (UK)|Fraggle Rock Animated: Dance Your Cares Away]]''}}2005<br>HEN42403
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Image:LettheMusicPlayFraggleRockUKDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock UK videography|Fraggle Rock Vol. 1: Let the Music Play]]''}}2005<br>HEN42406
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Image:Hoobs DVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Hoobs videography|The Hoobs: Hooble Dooble Doo!]]''}}2005<br>HEN42407
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Image:ShakeFraggleandRollUKDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock UK videography|Fraggle Rock Vol 2: Shake Fraggle & Roll]]''}}2005<br>HEN42408
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Image:Fr_ltbrlebd_ukDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock UK videography|Fraggle Rock: Let There Be Rock]]''}}2005<br>HEN42409<br>HEN42410
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Image:Fr_legends_ukDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Fraggle Rock UK videography|Fraggle Rock: Legends of the Rock]]''}}2007<br>HEN42411
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Image:PlaytimeChildren'sFavouritesDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Hoobs videography|Playtime Children's Favourites]]''}}2005<br>HIT42104
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Image:Mopatop3GreatEpisodesDVD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Mopatop's Shop videography|Mopatop's Shop: 3 Great Episodes]]''}}2006
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Image:HoobsAGreat25MinuteEpisode(September2006).png|{{GNH|''[[The Hoobs videography|The Hoobs: A Great 25 Minute Episode]]''}}2006
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
 
==Properties==
  
==Properties==
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'''Henson titles listed in the HIT! Catalogue'''<ref>[http://www.hitentertainment.com/hitcatalogue/index.html HIT Entertainment Catalogue]</ref> (April 1, [[2004]] - March 31, [[2009]])
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'''Henson titles listed in the HIT Catalogue'''<ref>[http://www.hitentertainment.com/hitcatalogue/index.html HIT Entertainment Catalogue]</ref> (April 1, [[2004]] - March 31, [[2009]])
 
:*''[[The Animal Show]]''
  
:*''[[The Animal Show]]''
 
:*''[[Animal Jam]]''
  
:*''[[Animal Jam]]''
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:*''[[City Kids]]''
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:*''[[CityKids]]''
 
:*''[[Construction Site]]''
  
:*''[[Construction Site]]''
 
:*''[[Fraggle Rock]]''
  
:*''[[Fraggle Rock]]''
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==External links==
  
==External links==
 
*[http://www.hitentertainment.com/ Official site]
  
*[http://www.hitentertainment.com/ Official site]
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{{wikipedia}}
   
 
__NOWYSIWYG__
  
__NOWYSIWYG__

Latest revision as of 22:13, 4 February 2024

Hit

The logo for Henson International Television, the predecessor company to HIT Entertainment.

HIT Entertainment was a company that mostly focused on the production and distribution of children's material. It originally functioned as a subsidiary of Henson Associates before being split off and reincorporated.

Association with Henson

The company was originally formed as Henson International Television (hit!) in 1982 as a partnership consisting of Jim Henson and media entrepreneur Peter Orton, who served as the chief executive officer. The partnership between Henson and Orton began when the latter worked for Children's Television Workshop's international arm, distributing Sesame Street internationally.[1] The formation of Henson International Television allowed for Henson Associates to expand the international distribution of their properties following the end of their partnership with ITC Entertainment[2] , as well as coordinate the co-production of Fraggle Rock in London.

In 1989, with the then-planned purchase of Jim Henson Productions by The Walt Disney Company, Peter Orton was allowed by Henson to branch off on his own. Orton fully purchased Henson International Television in October 1989, and re-incorporated it as HIT Communications PLC. With the split, the company no longer had held distribution rights or association to Henson's properties.[3]

Post-Henson

On April 1, 2004, The Jim Henson Company and HIT Entertainment signed a five-year agreement that gave HIT distribution rights of a large portion of the company's "family showcase" media catalogue. The deal also included a co-production deal where The Jim Henson Company would produce programs that HIT would distribute, with Frances being the first of the shows that were part of the new venture.[4] HIT distributed various VHS and DVD releases of Henson shows and movies in the United States and United Kingdom, which included Fraggle Rock, Animal Jam, Mother Goose Stories and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, with many of them including newly produced bonus features.

HIT was one of the co-founders of the the US cable network PBS Kids Sprout, alongside NBC/Universal, PBS, and Sesame Workshop.

Releases

United States

United Kingdom

Properties

Henson titles listed in the HIT Catalogue[5] (April 1, 2004 - March 31, 2009)

Sources

  1. ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/peter-orton-media-entrepreneur-who-made-a-global-success-of-bob-the-builder-764554.html
  2. ↑ Jim's Red Book -- 1/17/1982 -- Meet with Robert Holmes A Court
  3. ↑ https://variety.com/2007/scene/news/hit-entertainment-s-peter-orton-dies-1117978040/
  4. ↑ https://muppetcentral.com/news/2004/040104.shtml
  5. ↑ HIT Entertainment Catalogue

External links

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