Tree Fu Tom Swings Onto Sprout On Earth Day

PHILADELPHIA, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --  Tree Fu Tom, the animated preschool series that's taken Britain by storm, will make its U.S. debut on Sprout®, the 24-hour preschool channel, on April 22 at 11:00 a.m. EST. The show, which is a co-production between FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and CBeebies, joins Sprout's lineup of quality children's entertainment that includes both acquired and original programming including the network's newest hit, "The Chica Show."

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The premiere of Tree Fu Tom kicks-off a week-long celebration called "Dig Into Earth Day," which promotes conservation and the importance of caring for the environment. Sprout marks Earth Week by being a part of NBCUniversal's Green is Universal environmental initiative, and will be turning its on-air and online logos green for the entire week.

Tree Fu Tom follows the adventures of Tom a boy who straps on a power belt and through the power of movement magic called 'Tree Fu', can transform into a tiny, mighty magical superhero and travel to a wondrous enchanted kingdom called Treetopolis that exists inside a tree in his back garden.  Tree Fu Tom encourages viewers to be active by jumping, making physical moves and saying specific words to "send the magic" to Tom.

"Tree Fu Tom is a tremendous addition to Sprout's line-up of gold-standard programming," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming for Sprout.  "Tom and his friends take viewers on exciting adventures in his action-packed magical world while encouraging movement and the exploration of nature in a fun and interactive way."

Tree Fu Tom combines its innovative elements of heroic action, fantasy and magic, coupled with unique interactive physical activity.  All of the Tree Fu movements are developed from therapeutic techniques used to help children with movement disorders, and they are also designed to enhance the development of all children at a crucial time in their growth.

While Tree Fu Tom is being adapted for American audiences, British actor David Tennant, most widely known as Dr. Who in the recent incarnation of the popular BBC television series, reprises his role as the voice of Twigs in the U.S. version. Tom and Twigs are inseparable as they become embroiled in amazing, action-packed adventures, which always lead to trouble, impending disaster and near catastrophe.

With animation by Blue Zoo Animation, Tree Fu Tom is a co-production between FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and CBeebies. Tree Fu Tom was created and produced by Daniel Bays. FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment manages international distribution for the series outside of the UK and manages other ancillary rights globally.

Sprout is one of the leading children's networks and has a current growth streak of 16 consecutive months of year-over-year double-digit percentage gains in total day household delivery. The network's consistent and impressive ratings growth is due in large part to the network's unique programming strategy and original series like The Chica Show, which was Sprout's highest-rated original series premiere to-date when it launched on November 24, 2012, and Pajanimals, a Sprout original co-production with The Jim Henson Company. Sprout also ranks #1 among all kids cable networks in composition of women 18-49 and has increased 54 percent in delivery of that demographic versus a year ago.

About Sprout^®

Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for children ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers.  Available in over 50 million homes, the 24-hour digital channel is the only network that follows the day of a preschooler from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive, interactive programming and original hosted daypart blocks that parents and kids share together.  Viewers are encouraged to submit artwork, birthday wishes, videos and more through SproutOnline.com, which has received over five million viewer interactions to-date.  Sprout's VOD offering is the #1 on demand service for younger children with over one billion views.  Sprout is a top-rated kids' network with 17 consecutive months of year-over-year percentage household delivery growth. 

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based preschool series includes originals like The Chica Show, Noodle and Doodle, and Pajanimals (co-produced with The Jim Henson Company), as well as Sesame Street®, Barney & Friends™, The Wiggles®, Caillou®, Thomas & Friends™,  LazyTown™, and more.  Sprout is a partnership among NBCUniversal, PBS and Apax Funds.

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators, producers and distributors of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 92 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. FremantleMedia is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama, factual entertainment and kids & family programming, with market leading capabilities that extend from content creation to licensing, digital and branded entertainment, gaming and home entertainment. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, among others) has one of the most comprehensive global networks with operations in 22 countries, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 150 countries. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours. www.fremantlemedia.com

About FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment

FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment was founded in 2009 and has quickly become a worldwide leader in the family entertainment business. With 15 titles in production in collaboration with top producers on four continents, FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment is already one of the most prolific independent producers and distributors of content in the sector today. Its growing portfolio of content spans across four key genres: preschool, kids comedy, action/adventure and tween/teen fare. FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment is bringing to networks around the world innovative and exciting shows for television and new media platforms that feature live-action, 2D animation, CGI, stop-motion, puppetry and real-time animation with programming targeting demographics ranging in scope from preschool through high school.

SOURCE PBS KIDS Sprout