Sprout to Launch Summer Fun Fridays

PHILADELPHIA, May 29: PBS
KIDS Sprout is set to launch Summer Fun Fridays, featuring two Sprout mini-series in a
double-feature matinee every Friday from noon to 3 p.m. from June 20 through
August 29.

Making its world premiere
in the new block is Frances,
from The Jim Henson Company and HIT Entertainment, debuting June 20 at noon.
The preschool comedy series is based on the Russell Hoban books about a high-spirited
badger named Frances. The show uses state-of-the-art digital puppetry and
animation from the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, a new technology that allows
performers to puppeteer and voice digital characters in real time. Additional
features for Summer Fun Fridays
include the animated series Brambly Hedge, Sesame Street's Panwapa and Percy the Park Keeper.

Beginning in June, Sprout
will launch a Summer Fun Fridays contest,
where children can submit a drawing of their favorite family summer activity
online at SproutOnline.com, with a new winner announced each Friday during the
live preschool show The Sunny Side Up Show.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski