TVN taps into children's market

By Susan Rush
From The August 26, 2002 Edition Of CED Broadband Direct

Whoever believes children should be seen and not heard obviously isn't tapping into the multi-billion dollar market. TVN Entertainment sees the revenue potential of this market in the video-on-demand space and has put together a programming package for its VOD affiliates.

The company has put together a package that includes 18 hours of Sesame Street programming from Sesame Workshop, 13 episodes of Backyard Safari from RCN Entertainment and various programs, including Mattel's Barbie in the Nutcracker and The Great Bear Scare from Artisan's Family Home Entertainment label. The package also will include MGM content, including Pink Panther cartoons and Hello Kitty. The MGM deal is a trial agreement.

Blue Ridge, Charter Communications Inc., Insight Communications, Mediacom Communications Corp., RCN Corp., Spark Interactive and Seren Innovations Inc. are among the affiliates that have signed up for the children's VOD package, TVN said.

In July, Intertainer inked a licensing deal giving it the right to distribute 21 half-hour Sesame Street episodes, including The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street, Cookie Monster's Best Bites and Getting Ready for School.