The Wiggles Score Sprout Slot

PHILADELPHIA: The preschool channel Sprout is to become the exclusive U.S. home for the entertainers The Wiggles, who will be hosting a new three-hour morning block from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

In addition to this new original programming, filmed at The Wiggles studio in Australia next month, Sprout will air all existing Wiggles episodes throughout the day when they launch on the network in August. The Wiggles are currently on a sold-out Australian tour, heading off to the U.K. for the month of June. They return to the U.S. in mid July for the North American leg of their Wiggles Go Bananas Live! tour.

"We are over the moon that The Wiggles are joining Sprout," said Andrew Beecham, the senior VP of programming at Sprout. "The Wiggles are legendary in the preschool world. We are excited to start developing new content with them and establishing them as a vital brand on Sprout. The Wiggles will be fully integrated into all three of Sprout’s viewing platforms—on-air, online and on demand—and we can’t wait to get started on introducing them to new audiences and continuing to build upon their already amazing presence in the preschool market."

"We couldn’t be happier to be joining Sprout," commented Mike Conway, the managing director of The Wiggles. "Sprout has an ongoing, 24-hour commitment to preschool programming and we share their passion for creating fun and developmentally appropriate programming for children and parents. Sprout’s dynamic and fast-growing brand coupled with The Wiggles powerhouse presence in the world of preschool couldn’t be a better match."

"We love The Wiggles just as much as kids and parents do," added Sandy Wax, the president of Sprout. "The Wiggles are preschool rock stars and we are thrilled to have them join our family of respected and beloved brands like Sesame Street and Barney. Their new morning show block will fit perfectly into Sprout’s unique day part schedule that follows the day of the preschooler from breakfast to bedtime."