March 03, 2004

By: Zenon Cobuz
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

Headbone creates animated series for The Discovery Channel

Headbone Interactive and the Discovery Channel announced a partnership to develop a signature series of short-form animation for the expansion of the Discovery Kids weekend block of programming.

This marks Headbone's first foray into delivering animated programming for television. The series, titled Hugo Takes A Detour, will be the first animated program to air on the Discovery Channel. Viewers will not only watch the series on TV, but also will interact with the characters online through activities developed to extend the story lines of the show. The one-minute programs, or interstitials, are slated to air in the spring of 1999.

The 11-year-old star of the series, Hugo, is a regular kid - with just a slightly compulsive need-to-know. With the meddling help of his ghost cat, Zeke, Hugo's non-stop curiosity takes him to some amazing places that lie just beyond the ordinary.

Kids will see these short animated adventures in between their favorite Discovery Kids programs. Related online programming at Discovery Kids Online, also being produced by Headbone, will invite kids to stretch their imaginations and learn about the world.

From the start, our creative vision dovetailed with the Discovery Channel's objective to inspire kids' inquisitiveness and sense of adventure, said Scott Hudson, Vice President of Product Development for Headbone Interactive.

The Discovery kid is bright and aware, and impulsively curious-all characteristics the Headbone brand thrives on. That's why collaborating on this project makes so much sense.

We were struck by Headbone's unique ability to create characters that really reflect today's kids, and their capacity to translate those characters to both the Internet and television, said Marjorie Kaplan, Senior Vice President, childrens programming and products, Discovery Channel, US.

We share a common goal to integrate kids television with online programming, and with Headbone's all-digital production process, I believe this is the first step toward that end. Headbone Interactive's all-digital animation process allows for easy transfer of animation across digital media.

About The Author:

Zenon Cobuz is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.