PBS Kids Sprout

PBS Kids Sprout

Type	Cable television channel and VOD service
Country	United States
Availability	National
Owner	Comcast Sesame Workshop HIT Entertainment PBS
Key people	Sandy Wax (president)
Launch date	September 26, 2005
Former names	PBS Kids
Official Website	www.sproutonline.org

PBS Kids Sprout (sometimes referred to as PBS Sprout, Kids Sprout, or just Sprout) is a U.S. digital cable television channel, video-on-demand (VOD) service, and website providing PBS Kids shows and original programming for preschoolers and their families. Sprout launched initially as a VOD service on April 4, 2005, and later as a cable and satellite channel on September 26, 2005.

Sprout is co-owned by Comcast, Sesame Workshop, HIT Entertainment and PBS.

Programming

Current Programming

• Angelina Ballerina
• Barney & Friends (Seasons 1-9 Only)
• The Berenstain Bears (2003 TV series)
• Bob the Builder
• Bob the Builder: Project Build-It
• Caillou
• Dive Olly Dive!
• Dragon Tales
• Fireman Sam
• Fifi and the Flowertots
• Franny's Feet
• The Good Night Show (Sprout Original Series)
• Jim Henson's Pajanimals
• Kipper
• The Let's Go Show (Sprout Original Series) (Weekends only)
• Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies
• The Mighty Jungle
• The Many Adventures of Mr. Mailman (Sprout Original)
• Rubbadubbers
• Pic Me
• Play with Me Sesame
• Roary the Racing Car
• Sesame Street (Seasons 30-33 Only)
• The Sprout Sharing Show (Sprout Original)
• The Sunny Side Up Show (Sprout Original)
• Thomas and Friends
• Zoboomafoo
• The Wiggles
• Wiggly Waffle (Sprout Original)

Former Programming

• Big Sister, Little Brother
• The Birthday Show (moved to The Sunny Side Up Show)
• James the Cat
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane
• Musical Mornings with Coo
• Boohbah
• Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
• Pingu
• The Hoobs
• Teletubbies
• Sagwa

Personalities

Wiggly Waffle

• The Wiggles host this new show from 6 to 9 each morning. The Wiggles are:
• Murray Murray Cook
• Anthony Anthony Field
• Jeff Jeff Fatt
• Sam Sam Moran
• Captain Feathersword Paul Paddick

The Sunny Side Up Show

• Kelly (Kelly Vrooman), Dennisha (Dennisha Pratt), and Sean (Sean Roach) are the three human hosts of The Sunny Side Up Show, which premiered on September 26, 2007. On a rotating schedule (one of them hosts each week), they introduce programs and lead themed activities, along with co-host puppet Chica and an occasional guest co-host such as Elmo or Big Bird. Regular features include "The Good Egg Awards", celebrating the accomplishments of "Sproutlets" (viewers); "Manners With Molly", a weekly etiquette question appropriate for the preschool set; and a several-times-daily celebration of viewer birthdays, with a crawl of names and ages traveling across the bottom of the screen.

• Chica is a chicken puppet who co-hosts The Sunny Side Up Show with Kelly, Kevin and Sean. She lives in a building called The Sunshine Barn, and has a voice which resembles a kazoo. Her character was introduced on the aforementioned premiere of The Sunny Side Up Show.

• Mr. Mailman is a cartoon character who delivers birthday cards and mail. Originally a part of The Birthday Show, the character was then featured in The Many Adventures of Mr. Mailman. Mr. Mailman and his daily duties were absorbed into The Sunny Side Up Show on September 26, 2007.

The Let's Go Show

• Banjo is a small pink puppy who co-hosts The Let's Go Show with Miles.

• Miles is the host of the The Let's Go Show. He also makes occasional appearances on The Sunny Side Up Show.

Good Night Show

Current Hosts

• Nina, portrayed by Michele Lepe, is the current host of Good Night Show. She also makes occasional appearances on The Sunny Side Up Show .

• Star,a star-shaped puppet, puppeteered and voiced by actress Stacia Newcomb, is the co-host of Good Night Show. Star serves as the child character of the show, asking questions about the evening's theme, or encouraging viewers to follow him as he performs nighttime routines such as brushing his teeth or reading a bedtime story.

• Lucy is a firefly puppet used to introduce shows on Good Night Show. She is also featured in games, such as "Lucy Light the Way"; in this game, viewers are shown parts of a picture (as though they were illuminated by a firefly's light) and viewers then guess what the picture represents.

• Hush is a real-life goldfish who was used to introduce episodes on Good Night Show. He currently still appears at the end of every show, as Nina closes the show by "saying good night to Hush" and reciting a poem in which viewers are encouraged to "make a wish".

Previous Hosts

• Melanie was the original host of Good Night Show when it premiered in 2005. She was portrayed by Melanie Martinez. She was fired from the show in 2006, reportedly due to concerns over inappropriate content (sexual innuendo) in a satirical film she had appeared in while in college. ^[1]

• Leo, played by Noel MacNeal, was the interim host of The Good Night Show after Melanie's dismissal. He filled in as guest host of Good Night Show until Nina became the new host of Good Night Show in late 2006.

• Kevin (Kevin Yamada) left the show on December 25, 2009. During his final appearance, he informed viewers that he was moving to the city.

References

1. ^ PBS Firing of Host of ‘ Good Night Show’ Draws Protests - New York Times

External links

• Official site
• Comcast, PBS Plan New Service (Frank Ahrens, Washington Post, April 5, 2005)
• Saluting Sprout's Launch: PBS Sprouts a Kids Triumph (Debra Kaufman, TelevisionWeek, December 5, 2005)
• Kids Sprout Takes Root as Leader in Genre (Allison J. Waldman, "TelevisionWeek", Nov 27, 2006)