As all of you should know by now, the future of TV is not through a cable line, it’s through the internet. If someone’s show gets cancelled or is not picked up, it could go to online providers like Netflix, Hulu, and even Amazon Prime. Three new original children’s series are coming exclusively on Amazon Prime Instant Video. The shows are “Tumble Leaf” coming on May 23rd, “Creative Galaxy” coming on June 27th, and “Annedroids” coming on July 25th. The first six episodes of each show will debut this summer, with additional episodes to follow later this year.
Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios, Tara Sorensen, says “Amazon Studios is thrilled to bring its first original children’s series to kids and their families this summer. We’re working with some of the most renowned creators in the business to introduce programming that promotes life-long learning through play. The kids programming team and series creators have had so much fun developing these new series. We can’t wait to share it with kids and their families across the country and see the learning experiences it fosters.”
Amazon Original preschool programming is being developed with the support of Dr. Alice Wilder. Dr. Wilder earned universal acclaim for her work as the producer and director of research and development for the hit series Blue’s Clues and Blue’s Room. Dr. Wilder says, “It’s been extremely exciting to partner with Amazon on developing the content and activities that will be available through Prime Instant Video. We share the belief that creativity and curiosity are muscles that need to be exercised, refined, and nourished to provide children with the skills they need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world. With an educational system that is focused on test-preparedness, literacy and numeracy, many parents find their kids faced with a curriculum gap. By combining core content with creativity and play, we will be able to help parents fill that gap.”
So, let’s run down the three shows you and your kids can enjoy this Summer!
Tumble Leaf – May 23rd (for preschool-aged children)
Tumble Leaf debuts May 23 and comes from Emmy Award-winning director Drew Hodges and award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment. The preschool aged show follows Fig the Fox and his best friend Stick as they discover adventure, friendship, and love around every bend. Themes found in the show promote exploration and scientific thinking through play. The talent behind the characters includes Christopher Downs as “Fig” and “Stick,” Zak McDowell as “Hedge,” Addie Zintel as “Pine,” Brooke Wolloff as “Maple,” and Alex Trugman as “Ginkgo.”
Creative Galaxy – June 27th (for preschool-aged children)
On June 27, Amazon Studios will introduce Creative Galaxy from acclaimed creator Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue (Super Why!, Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood), and features Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Christian Distefano, Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm in the Middle), and Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210). In this make-along, create-along, interactive art adventure series for preschoolers, characters Arty and Epiphany travel around the galaxy to solve problems with art, inspiring creative thinking through crafts, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to re-create Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode will take viewers through the craft project that Arty showcased in the galaxy.
Annedroids – July 25th (for children ages 4 to 7 years)
Annedroids, about a young scientist, will be available starting July 25. Created by Emmy-nominated JJ Johnson (Dino Dan) and Sinking Ship Entertainment, and aimed at children aged four through seven, Annedroids is a live-action adventure series about a young female genius, her human friends, android assistants and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) stars as “Anne,” Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright) plays her friend “Shania,” and Jadiel Dowlin plays “Nick.”
All Amazon Original children’s series will be available for unlimited streaming through Prime Instant Video on Fire TV, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Wii U, and other connected devices, and online at www.amazon.com/PIV. The series will also be available through Amazon’s Kindle FreeTime app and via Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, the first-ever all-in-one subscription service that brings together books, games, educational apps, movies, and TV shows that both kids and their parents will enjoy. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free 30 day trial at www.amazon.com/prime.
In addition to the three new children’s series, and “Alpha House” and “Betas”, which you can watch on Amazon Prime. Amazon is also working on six additional, original series including Chris Carter’s “The After”, Michael Connelly’s “Bosch”, Jill Soloway’s “Transparent”, “Mozart in the Jungle” from Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman, “Wishenpoof!” from Angela Santomero, and “Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street” from David Anaxagoras. And if you have script idea that could be turned into a show on Amazon Prime, upload a script and Amazon Studios will read and review all submissions and those who choose to make their projects public will also receive feedback from the Amazon Studios community.
Learn more about Amazon Prime and sign up for a 30 day free trial at: www.amazon.com/prime.
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