Hasbro, Discovery Joint-Venture TV Network Unveils Programs
May 17 2010 - 4:19PM
Dow Jones News
Hasbro Inc. (HAS) and Discovery Communications Inc.'s
(DISCA,DISCB) joint venture television network for children called
"The Hub" will begin airing on Oct. 10 with programming that
includes several original series as well as some older ones, such
as The Jim Henson Co.'s "Fraggle Rock."
In a press release, the Hub President and Chief Executive
Margaret Loesch announced six original programs, including "Family
Game Night," "G.I. Joe Renegades," "Pound Puppies," and "R.L.
Stine's The Haunting Hour."
Among other series in the network's U.S. premiere lineup:
"Meerkat Manor," a family movie night, and "Animal Mechanicals," a
DHX Media Ltd (DHX.T) preschool series previously licensed to
Disney Channels in the U.K., France and Asia and to other channels
outside the U.S.
"Fraggle Rock" was a children's TV series in the mid 1980s that
featured Henson's "Muppet"-like creatures.
"I'm delighted with the caliber of programming -- which includes
some beloved and popular brands -- that we are bringing to the
network's new lineup," said Loesch.
The network's programming will be targeted at preschoolers from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., ages 6 to 12 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and
families from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The network will be available to 60
million households when it launches, it said.
Shares of Hasbro traded up 3.3% at $41.60, while Discovery
Communications' class A shares recently fell 0.8% to $37.20. Class
B shares of Discovery were down 1.3% at $37.60.
-By Mary Ellen Lloyd, Dow Jones Newswires, 704-948-9145;
maryellen.lloyd@dowjones.com