‘PICME’ and ‘Jungle Beat’ to be produced
in HD Exclusively for Animania
New York, NY – November 14, 2005 – Animania HD, a channel solely dedicated to high-definition animation allowing for cartoon worlds to take on astonishing depth and detail, announced today that it has acquired two international animated series from Monster Distributes, an international distribution company which finances and distributes television series worldwide. As part of the agreement, the programs PICME and Jungle Beat are produced in high definition exclusively for Animania HD’s U.S. broadcast premiere. Animania HD is one of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide and currently available on DISH Network.
PICME is an award-winning interactive animated series where a child literally stars in his/her own cartoon. Each episode features a different child where their picture is placed directly in the pre-made cartoon using the specially developed PICME software. Each also entertains and teaches basic concepts to preschool children. PICME launches on Animania HD in April of 2006. Jungle Beat is the first animated series from Zimbabwe, which features a cast of animals in bizarre situations with hilarious results. This fun and quirky series consists of 5-minute self-contained episodes, all dialogue-free and suitable for all ages. Jungle Beat premieres on Animania HD in January of 2006.
“Both series reinforce our commitment to showcasing amazing and entertaining animation from all over the world, and contribute to our growing library of quality high definition animation,” said Keith O’Connell, Vice President of Programming for Animania HD. “PICME is a wonderfully innovative show that will allow us to interact with our audience, and Jungle Beat brings animals and scenery to life with incredible color and stunning animation.”
Animania HD is the only channel actively working with producers and distributors to air true HD animation for all ages. The channel is just one of the many diverse programming categories on VOOM HD Networks, the largest suite of high-definition channels available anywhere. The VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high-definition programming, building on Rainbow Media’s history of original programming innovation.
Last August, VOOM HD announced its distribution agreement with Echostar Communications to carry ten of the HD channels on its Dish Network, and soon to come in ’06 are more of these special niche offerings. Since the launch, VOOM HD has gone on to produce groundbreaking original HD content for a wide variety of consumer interests ranging from a one-of-a-kind live memorabilia auction on Gallery HD to delivering the world of fashion on Ultra HD. Most recently, VOOM HD solidified a co-production deal with Singapore to create mostly nonfiction niche programming. This new announcement for Animania HD confirms VOOM’s commitment to growing and to investing in the brand’s aggressive move into the marketplace.
About VOOM HD
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high-definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution in the U.S. through satellite and cable operators. The VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. Today, the VOOM HD Networks are available nationally on Echostar’s DISH Network. The VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high-definition programming, building on Rainbow Media’s history of original programming innovation.