The Smurfs coming to DiC Kids Block in January 2005!

[Pavan]

Check your local listings for the DiC Kids Block in your area. They air shows like Sabrina, Liberty's Kids, Inspector Gadget's Field Trip, etc.

DIC Entertainment Corp. is adding The Smurfs to the three-hour block of Federal Communications Commission-friendly kids' shows it syndicates.

DIC has bought 26 half-hours of the Hanna-Barbera animated series from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution.


The Smurfs episodes, which DIC says were produced with an educational element to meet FCC guidelines for educational children's programming, will be added to the block beginning in January 2005.

DIC Chairman Andy Heyward worked at Hanna-Barbera in the 1970's and early 80's and saw The Smurfs grab a 60 share for NBC on Saturday mornings, become a very profitable franchise, and spawn toy lines and books. DIC is counting on a retro wave to carry the little blue Smurfs to the land of big green once again.

DIC's block covers 100% of the country and is cleared on over 450 stations.




PRESS RELEASE:
The Smurfs Return to Television!

DIC Entertainment Acquires From Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
the Broadcast Rights to Hit Series The Smurfs

26 Half-Hour Episodes of the Classic Animated Series Begins Airing
January 2005 on Top-Rated DIC Kids' Network

One of the Most Successful Television Series of All Time, "THE SMURFS"
Dominated Saturday Morning Television for Nearly a Decade

BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- DIC Entertainment (DIC), a
leading independent children's entertainment company, has acquired from Warner
Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution the broadcast rights to 26 half-hour
episodes of one of the world's most popular and successful animated series in
television history, The Smurfs. The announcement was made today by Andy
Heyward, Chairman & CEO, DIC.
The Smurfs will begin airing in January 2005 on the top-rated DIC Kid's
Network, a unique three-hour programming block designed to provide stations
with children's programming that meets "core" FCC requirements. DIC has
acquired the select episodes of The Smurfs that were produced with an
educational basis to meet the standards of the programming block.
The Smurfs, a traditional animated television series produced by Hanna
Barbera in the early 1980s, was first bought by Fred Silverman, President of
the Fred Silverman Company & former CEO & President of NBC, to air on NBC
where the series dominated Saturday morning for nearly a decade, boosting the
network from last place to first place in kids, virtually overnight. The
series became an international hit and still airs on major broadcast outlets
around the world. In addition to a hit television series and a feature film,
The Smurfs evolved into a global brand sensation with a successful line of
toys, books and music. "What a great idea for DIC to bring The Smurfs back to
television," comments Mr. Silverman. "I have no doubt that it will be as
popular today as it was when it first aired nearly 25 years ago."
Mr. Heyward states, "I had the privilege to work at Hanna Barbera in the
late 70s and early 80s and to collaborate closely with the original creator,
Peyo. We watched the series command a 60 share rating on NBC. Ratings like
that have not been seen before or since, and I believe we can bring the series
to the top of the ratings charts once again on the DIC Kid's Network," he
adds. "The Smurfs is one of those rare timeless jewels that became one of the
first mega-entertainment brands for kids, and with the retro trend showing no
signs of slowing down, we believe the environment is right to re-awaken this
'sleeping giant' to a new generation of young viewers"
Added Eric Frankel, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution,
"After all these years, this series is just as entertaining, relevant and
enjoyable as when it first aired. We couldn't be more pleased than to be
introducing The Smurfs to a whole new generation of kids and, in the process,
give a few parents a trip down memory lane."
David Ozer, Senior Vice President, Domestic Television, DIC comments, "We
are thrilled to add The Smurfs, a wholesome and entertaining world-renowned
series, to the DIC Kid's Network programming line-up. DIC will continue to be
on the lookout to acquire quality product to offer our stations, advertisers
and viewers as we gear up for a third season in 2005."
The Smurfs television series follows the adventures of the Smurf's, who
live in the mushroom cottages of Smurf Village with their leader, Papa Smurf.
The lively blue creatures, that captivated children around the globe for
years, lead an almost perfect life if not for an evil wizard who spends his
days trying to capture them. The Smurfs made their first appearance in 1956
when creator Peyo introduced them in a story of Johan & Peewit in "Le Journal
de Spirou."
The DIC Kid's Network, launched in September 2003, reaches 100% of the
U.S. markets and airs on over 450 stations. The programming block airs on
major broadcast outlets, including local FOX, WB and UPN affiliates, and
offers three separate exclusive programming feeds, along with a Spanish
Language feed on virtually every series for the SAP channel (airing on over
200 different stations). The programming feeds are comprised of six half-
hours of animated programs from DIC Entertainment's extensive library of over
3,200 half-hours of popular animated programming.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I am glad that DiC Kids will be airing on The Smurfs In January of 2005.

[musicradio77]

"Smurfs" has been on NBC for 20+ years and in syndication as "Smurfs' Adventures" on channel 11 (WPIX) since the late 80's. Cartoon Network and Boomerang both had "Smurfs" on for a while but now DIC is bringing the "Smurfs" back to TV next year. Hope to see the show back again.

[Pavan]

The Smurfs will begin on January 3 on stations carrying the DiC Kids Network. Check your local listings. The first episode they will air is "The Abominable Snowbeast; The Smurfs and the Money Tree."

In New York City, Smurfs will air weekday mornings at 7:00 a.m. on WWOR (UPN9).

[spunkygirl]

Thanks, I wonder if I'll get it in my area? If not I can always watch Smurfs on Boomerang

[Pavan]

Originally posted by Lola Dane
Thanks, I wonder if I'll get it in my area? If not I can always watch Smurfs on Boomerang

Where are you located? Some other cities will air it on weekends in marathon blocks, like in New Orleans they will air it on WVUE (FOX8) Saturdays at 11:30am, 12pm and 12:30pm ct.

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Where are you located? Some other cities will air it on weekends in marathon blocks, like in New Orleans they will air it on WVUE (FOX8) Saturdays at 11:30am, 12pm and 12:30pm ct.

I get stations from Columbus, Ohio

[Pavan]

Originally posted by Lola Dane
I get stations from Columbus, Ohio

I don't see it listed for Columbus' DiC stations (WWHO and WTTE).

You might want to search "Smurfs" on tv.yahoo.com or tvguide.com or titantv.com

[spunkygirl]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
I don't see it listed for Columbus' DiC stations (WWHO and WTTE).

You might want to search "Smurfs" on tv.yahoo.com or tvguide.com or titantv.com

Thanks, I will. I doubt they will air it, they don't seem to be into airing older shows as much as they used to be. They very rarely air cartoons(except maybe the Simpsons on WTTE which is Fox)

Well at least I can see it on Boomerang which is good

[Scoobiedoo30]

The Smurfs will start airing on Saturday, January 8, 2005
at 11:30 am 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm on WVUE.

[musicradio77]

Originally Posted by Lola Dane

Thanks, I wonder if I'll get it in my area? If not I can always watch Smurfs on Boomerang

Sure it is. I looked up on my schedule from Time Warner Cable that "Smurfs" is still on Boomerang. If I don't get Boomerang, I choose syndication from DIC Kids. As you probably know, both channels are being overplayed.

[spunkygirl]

Originally Posted by musicradio77

Sure it is. I looked up on my schedule from Time Warner Cable that "Smurfs" is still on Boomerang. If I don't get Boomerang, I choose syndication from DIC Kids. As you probably know, both channels are being overplayed.

That's what I said, that I can always watch it on Boomerang