Hot New TV Shows for Kids

19 May 2004

Media Release

Hot New TV Shows for Kids

New Zealand’s younger viewers are in for some fun, exciting and innovative television, as two new projects are given the green light thanks to funding from NZ On Air.

“It wasn’t hard to make a decision on these ones,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jo Tyndall, “They are both impressive proposals that match very well with our priorities in the area of children’s programming.

“Bob Stenhouse is a talented and accomplished animator and producer with a number of international awards under his belt. His production will tell three Joy Cowley stories using computer-generated animation combined with drawn artwork. The images and drawings we’ve seen already are just stunning.

“The stories, The Cheese Trap, Captain Felonius and Grasshopper Storm, will captivate young audiences,” Ms Tyndall said, “and we think the way they are presented will surprise and delight them. Younger children will relate to The Grasshopper Storm in a special way – the narration will be voiced by primary school children. It’s a bold and charming innovation.”

Funding has also been allocated to a series of short educational and entertaining programmes called Get Invent’n’ with the Goober Brothers.

“Gary and Glenn Goober are a hoot – and this series is a lot of fun,” said Ms Tyndall. “It’s also a great outlet for a largely untapped pool of Kiwi kids’ talent and imagination.

“In this series, The Goober Brothers invite children to contribute their ideas for inventions, and welcome them into the Goober Institute, where an artist and a team of ‘mentor inventors’ will help them develop the idea into a real prototype. There’s even a lawyer on hand to help protect the intellectual property!

“In another segment, the Goobers and their ‘mechanikids’ find fun ways to explain how everyday things work – from a V8 engine to a helicopter. It’s highly interactive and full of laughs.”

NZ On Air’s research last year confirmed the importance of locally produced children’s programmes to New Zealanders.

“These projects are just the sort of innovative initiatives that will deliver the type of children’s programmes that meet those audience needs,” Ms Tyndall said.

Both programmes will screen on TV2.

Ends

This media release is available on the Internet at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Funding details:

The Cheese Trap, Captain Felonius and Grasshopper Storm $51,875
1 x 25 minute animated children’s programme
Broadcaster: TVNZ
Producer: Bob Stenhouse
Bob Stenhouse

Get Invent’n’ with the Goober Brothers $878,164
52 x 11 minute children's series
Broadcaster: TVNZ
Producer: Neil Stichbury
Republic TV

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