Studio 4 News Release
CHILDREN’S VIDEO ON DEMAND NETWORK TO
TEACH KIDS THE ABC’S OF MONEY
Parents and Educators Gain Access to Award-Winning Educational Programming
Los Angeles, Calif.- April 4, 2008 – While media conglomerates use television to wean children on their entertainment properties in hopes of creating a marketplace for their licensed wares, Studio 4 Kids, which provides an alternative to the merchandising-driven kids programming that dominates broadcasting and cable, will teach those same consumers-to-be how to share, save and spend smart.
Through a newly formed distribution alliance with award-winning children’s DVD producer Snigglezoo Entertainment, educators and parents can teach children the value of money through Studio 4 Kids video-on-demand programming, available via digital cable, satellite, IPTV, and broadband in Studio4Kids.tv. Studio 4 Kids has distribution agreements with Cox, Charter Communications, AT&T, Shaw, and DirecTV’s new beta VOD service.
“Snigglezoo’s DVDs take small, but meaningful, steps to teach kids the value of saving,” said Gigi L. Johnson, senior vice president and general manager of Studio 4 Kids. “In addition to giving families no-cost access to a variety of award-winning educational programming, we’re also teaching kids to be responsible consumers.”
The partnership launches in April with Snigglezoo’s “The Money Mammals: Saving Money is Fun” series – just in time for National Financial Literacy Month. “The Money Mammals,” which has already garnered The Dove Family Approved Seal, the Family Choice Award, the Film Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence, and the KIDS FIRST! Endorsement, will be available in April of 2008 on both broadband and VOD through Studio 4 Kids, one of Studio 4 Network’s three VOD networks.
“The Money Mammals” features live puppetry combined with computer-generated imagery. Humor and upbeat songs parlay the importance of saving money. Special features include “Just for Parents,” a section offering parents tips on how to teach their children about the value of money, and “Sing with Us,” a compilation of the featured songs.
According to a recent survey, most parents believe their kids should start learning about money management before they reach kindergarten, but many feel they don’t set a good example themselves. “Parents need help,” says John Lanza, the DVD’s creator, “We teach our kids their ABC’s, good hygiene and good manners. Why don’t we teach them about something that’s just as important? Because talking about money can be intimidating. The Money Mammals simple messages help make it fun.” With the national savings rate in the red, “The Money Mammals” is here just in time to help parents raise a generation of savers.
About Studio 4 Kids
Studio 4 Kids (http://www.studio4kids.tv) provides an environment for parents to discover and for children to learn. At its heart is curated family-friendly educational programming – a broad selection of high-quality choice right at their fingertips at home. Studio 4 Kids, featuring dozens of award-winning titles, broadens a family’s learning environment beyond scanning channels or the shelves of their local retailer. With respected and recognized producers like Mazzerella Media, Brainy Baby and Big Comfy Couch, Studio 4 Kids gives infants to elementary-aged children the best in fun learning programming, while giving parents peace of mind. It’s like having shelves and shelves of your favorite educational videos that your child can watch again and again – or a new set of videos each week from names you can trust and enjoy. Studio 4 Kids is part of Los Angeles-based Studio 4 Networks, one of the nation’s leading independent providers of VOD entertainment.
About Studio 4 Networks
With three networks, Studio 4 Networks (http://www.studio4networks.com) has both highly targeted markets and an expansive and diverse audience. It is one of the nation’s leaders in the rapidly growing market of VOD, which is projected to grow from its availability on approximately 34 million households in the United States to 63 million by 2012. Its broadband offerings are poised to bring those audiences complementary choice in the burgeoning broadband video space – but with a curated environment just for their needs. Launched in 2003, Studio 4 broadcasts educational material using three defined networks on cable, satellite, and Internet – Studio 4 Kids (www.studio4kids.tv); Studio 4 Learning, and Studio 4 Fitness (www.studio4fitness.tv).
About Snigglezoo Entertainment
L.A.-based Snigglezoo Entertainment produces engaging and enriching children’s entertainment. Snigglezoo Entertainment’s “The Money Mammals: Saving Money Is Fun” DVD teaches children ages 2 and up the value of money, helping kids learn to “Share & Save & Spend Smart Too!” Developed by an award-winning producer and educational consultant team, “The Money Mammals” are the first characters designed specifically to teach kids about the value of money. In an effort to make “The Money Mammals” the source to which parents turn to teach their kids about money, Snigglezoo just launched the new “Saving Money Is Fun Kids Club” in partnership with credit unions throughout the United States. It is the first kids club to feature captivating video and games for kids. In addition to the Studio 4 Kids distribution outlets, the DVD is available for purchase online and in select retail stores. For more information, visit the website: www.themoneymammals.com.
Media Contact:
Eric Schwartzman/Alida Ararxian
Office: (310) 446.8310 ext. 11 or 12
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aararxian@schwartzmanpr.com