Highly-Anticipated New Puppet Series, Premiering on PBS KIDS in the U.S. in 2021, to Make MIPJunior Debut – October 2020
Pittsburgh, PA, October 5, 2020 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind Emmy-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, and 9 Story Distribution International, the global distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, a leading kids’ content creator, producer, and distributor, are joining forces to bring Donkey Hodie to preschoolers and families around the world. The eagerly-awaited puppet series from Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures will be available to international broadcasters for the first time at MIPJunior in October.
The (80×11-min) series, set to premiere in the U.S. on PBS KIDS in 2021, was created by Spiffy Pictures’ co-founders, Adam Rudman and David Rudman, and developed by Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer at Fred Rogers Productions. It is inspired by the work of Fred Rogers.
“Donkey Hodie is a series with universal appeal for children around the globe, and we’re excited to be partnering with the 9 Story Distribution team to bring the show to a worldwide audience,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “We’re proud to be modeling resilience and problem solving for young viewers with every new Donkey Hodie adventure.”
Donkey Hodie is an imaginative social-emotional series that follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie along with her pals, Purple Panda, Duck Duck, and Bob Dog, as they empower preschoolers to dream big, persevere, and discover that they are capable of overcoming obstacles on their own – and laugh themselves silly along the way! The series is inspired by the quirky sense of humor of children’s TV pioneer Fred Rogers and his mission to help young viewers navigate the everyday challenges of childhood. Donkey Hodie is the granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character (now known as “Grampy Hodie”) from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, who appeared in 59 episodes of the beloved classic children’s series.
Donkey Hodie features new, original music as well as reimagined versions of Fred
Rogers’ original songs to reinforce and underscore each story’s positive message.
In addition to granting 9 Story Distribution the global distribution rights to Donkey Hodie, Fred Rogers Productions recently named 9 Story Brands worldwide merchandising and licensing partner for the brand in all markets outside of the U.S.
About 9 Story Distribution International
9 Story Distribution International is the international distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Barney and Garfield and Friends, 9 Story Distribution International represents over 4,200 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. With facilities in Toronto, New York, Dublin, Manchester and Bali, 9 Story Media Group employs more than 1,100 creative and corporate staff.
About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods as well as Donkey Hodie, the eagerly-anticipated puppet series, inspired by the character from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, launching in 2021 on PBS KIDS. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Press contacts:
Alison Grand, Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions)
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com
Laura Liebeck, Grand Communications
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com
Jennifer Ansley, 9 Story Media Group
416-530-9900 jennifer.ansley@9story.com