Blue’s Clues Co-Creator Sets Up Kids’ Content Venture

NEW YORK, March 15: Blue’s
Clues co-creator Angela C.
Santomero and former Nickelodeon executive Samantha Freeman have established
Out of the Blue Enterprises, a new kids’ content company that already has a
deal with PBS KIDS for Super Why!,
launching in September.

The new animated preschool
series Super Why! boosts
literacy skills through interactive fairy-tale adventures that encourage
viewers to participate in learning through entertaining and engaging games. It
focuses on the adventures of the 6-year-old, Whyatt Beanstalk—younger
brother of Jack, from “Jack and the Beanstalk”—and his fairy tale
character friends, among them Red, the Littlest Pig and Princess Pea, living in
the enchanted Storybrook Village. PBS KIDS has made a 65-episode initial
commitment to the new series and the program has received a Ready to Learn
grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of
Education.

The company has also been
commissioned to produce and direct the second season of the PBS KIDS preschool
programming block, launching this fall. In addition, the company is behind the
ten-episode series Blue’s Room,
which launched in January 2007 on Nick Jr., and the hour-long prime time
special Meet Blue’s Baby Brother,
which premiered in August 2006 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Blue’s
Clues. All-new Blue’s Room episodes will continue to premiere throughout
2007.

In addition to TV
production, Out of the Blue will be involved in branding, licensing and
merchandising development. “In everything we undertake, Out of the Blue is
committed to creating breakthrough, dynamic and timely educational
entertainment offerings for kids, families, caregivers and teachers,” said
Santomero, who is the creator and executive producer of Super Why!