itvt

Multiplatform children’s programmer, PBS KIDS Sprout (offers
programs on linear TV, VOD and online), has announced plans to
launch an original afternoon programming block that “makes viewers
the stars.” Entitled “The Sprout Sharing Show” and scheduled to debut
May 5th in the 3:00PM-6:00PM Eastern timeslot, the block will be
hosted by a group of hand puppets, who will introduce
viewer-submitted videos in which preschoolers will show off their
talents and what Sprout describes as their “‘Look what I can do!’
moments.” The videos will air in the new block interstitially between
existing Sprout programs, such as “Fifi and the Flowertots,” “Jay Jay
the Jet Plane,” “Pingu,” “Dragon Tales,” “Fireman Sam,” and a new,
interactive show called “PICME.” The latter, which was conceived by
Irish production company, Jam Media and which is licensed by HIT
Entertainment, will use Jam Media’s proprietary software–called Head-
hunter–on a Web site, to enable parents to superimpose a digital image
of their child’s head onto a 2D Flash-animated body. Sprout will then
randomly choose one of the resulting animated image mash-ups each
weekday to appear on “PICME.” “The Sprout Sharing Show” will also
showcase viewer-submitted artwork, which Sprout says will be
transformed into animated shorts by the Little Director company, using
a “unique technology that allows children’s drawings on paper to
become animated stories.” “Sprout is the only preschool network ‘made
for you, by you,’” Andrew Beecham, Sprout’s SVP of programming,
said in a prepared statement. “Whether it’s showcasing a child’s
homemade birthday card on the live ‘Sunny Side Up Show,’ sharing a
viewer-submitted craft on ‘The Good Night Show’ or airing kids’
homemade videos on ‘The Sprout Sharing Show,’ Sprout’s linear
channel is taking user-generated content to the next level by completely
integrating it into our unique 24-hour format that follows the day of
preschooler from breakfast to bedtime.”