EchoStar Launches New Noggin Network for Kids; DISH Network Teams Up With Nickelodeon and Children's Television Workshop to Offer Educational Programming
Noggin, a joint venture between America's foremost children's television programmers Nickelodeon and Children's Television Workshop, will be offered to America's Top 100 CD subscribers at no extra charge starting Tues., Feb. 2, 1999.
The first 24-hour kids' thinking channel, Noggin's breakthrough mission will be to serve kids' (2-12) natural urge to learn by creating a new educational medium - one that combines television and on-line services, where learning starts with the click of a mouse. Noggin will explore topics and issues that kids say they care about while engaging them in regular conversation on-air and on-line to find out what they want to learn more about.
"DISH Network is thrilled to add a network like Noggin made specifically to educate our children," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming for EchoStar. "DISH Network subscribers will now have access to the highest quality of children's educational television and to shows like Sesame Street and Electric Company that have taught and influenced our children for several generations."
Noggin's programming schedule will feature the longest preschool block available on television (5 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET/PT), and will boast a cohesive mix of some of television's most acclaimed series from CTW and Nick Jr., including Blue's Clues, Sesame Street, Gullah Gullah Island and the Electric Company. Noggin's afternoon block will be geared toward older children (6-12) with shows such as 3-2-1 Contact, Ghostwriter and Doug. Noggin will offer programming for its entire audience during evening hours with shows such as Nick News and Square One for older kids at night.
Nickelodeon is rated the number one network for kids, and
Children's Television Workshop is touted as the leader in children's
educational TV for more than 30 years.
EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated
business units:
o DISH Network™ is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that
offers customers over 300 channels of digital video and
CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant
hardware, installation, financing and leasing.
o EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTS™ -
Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and
distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennas and other digital
equipment for DISH Network and various international customers
that include ExpressVu Canada and Telefonica's Via Digital system
in Spain. ETC also provides uplink-center design, construction
oversight and project-integration services for customers
internationally.
o Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data
services to business television customers and other satellite
users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite
transponder space-usage and other services. Satellite Services
also administers SKY VISTA, a direct broadcast satellite service
offering up to 27 channels of popular digital satellite
television programming to viewers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean.
The DISH Network currently serves over 1.9 million customers.
DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation.
HTS is a trademark of Houston Tracker Systems, Inc. DISH Network is
located on the Internet at: www.dishnetwork.com
Nickelodeon has built a diverse, global business based on children's needs. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, recreation, publishing, online programming and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 72 million households and has been the number one rated cable network for more than two years. Nickelodeon programming is also seen in more than 100 countries around the world. Nickelodeon can be accessed on the Internet at www.nick.com, www.NickJr.com and www.teachers.nick.com, as well as on AOL, keyword: Nick.
Children's Television Workshop is a not-for-profit company using
media to educate and delight children and families worldwide. Its
expertise encompasses programming for traditional and new media, as
well as publishing, product licensing and community outreach. Best
known as the creators of Sesame Street, CTN programming has been
enjoyed in more than 140 countries, including 18 indigenous
co-productions reflecting local languages, customs and educational
needs. CTW's roster also includes Big Bag, The New Ghostwriter
Mysteries, Ghostwriter, CRO, Dragon Tales & Show and Tell Me (in
development), 3-2-1 Contact, Square One TV, Creative Classroom, Kid
city, Encyclopedia and The Electric Company. CTW can be accessed on
the Internet at www.ctw.org or www.sesamestreet.com
CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp. Judianne Atencio, Communications Director, 303/723-2010 judianne.atencio@echostar.com or Marc Lumpkin, Communications Manager, 303/723-2020 marc.lumpkin@echostar.com