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Kermit Channel

{{Short description|Defunct television channel in Asia}}

{{more citations needed|date=September 2014}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = Kermit Channel

| logo =

| logo_size =

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| launch_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|1998|8|31}}

| closed_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2002|12|22}}

| picture_format = 576i/480i SDTV

| owner = The Jim Henson Company (50%)
Hallmark Entertainment

| country =

| language = English

| area = {{ubl|Taiwan|India|Indonesia|Philippines}}

| headquarters =

| former_names =

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| sister_channels = Hallmark Entertainment Network
Odyssey Network

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The Kermit Channel was an Asian television channel that was owned by the Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment until 2001, when Hallmark assumed full ownership and renamed the channel.{{cite web|author1=Business Line|title=Kermit Channel goes off the air|url=http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2001/060401.shtml|publisher=Muppet Central News|accessdate=7 September 2014|date=June 4, 2001}} It was a 24-hour cable channel that broadcast reruns of various Muppet productions.

History

Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company started a partnership in May 1998 to launch the Kermit Channel in Asia and Latin America expected to launch in September 1998 with distribution handled by Hallmark Entertainment Network.{{cite book|title=International Directory of Company Histories. Volume 45.|date=2002|publisher=St. James Press |via=FundingUniverse|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/crown-media-holdings-inc-history/|accessdate=December 27, 2017|language=en|chapter=History of Crown Media Holdings, Inc.}} This partnership had grown out of their co-production of Gulliver’s Travels.{{cite news|last1=Fry|first1=Andy|title=Kermit's hop-about in Asia|url=http://kidscreen.com/1999/12/01/27468-19991201/|accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Kidscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications Ltd.|date=December 1, 1999}} In 1998, Kermit had extended a license for the Muppet to Wave, a Singapore-based licensing agent, for apparel, toys and games categories in Taiwan and the Philippines.{{cite news|last1=Dunfield|first1=Allison|title=Localizing licensing leads to Asian (sic) success |url= http://kidscreen.com/1999/12/01/27465-19991201/ |accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Kidscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications Ltd.|date=December 1, 1999}}

On August 31, 1998, the channel had a soft launch in Latin America and Asia with a revolving three-hour schedule. The next day, the channel's first general manager, Betsy Bruce, was announced. The Henson Co. and Hallmark considered renaming the Odyssey Channel to Kermit Channel. A full schedule was put into place on October 1, 1998.{{cite news|last1=Paxman|first1=Andrew|title=Kermit taps Bruce G.M.|url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/kermit-taps-bruce-g-m-1117480013/|accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Variety|date=September 1, 1998}}

The channel was launched first in Taiwan in January 1999, followed by India, which debuted in the first week in January 1999 with distribution and marketing handled by Modi Entertainment Network.{{cite news|last1=Mitra|first1=Anjan|title=Kermit, Hallmark Channels To Debut In January|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/kermit-hallmark-channels-to-debut-in-january-198121101030_1.html|accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Business Standard India|date=December 11, 1998}} The channel was next rolled out in Indonesia. With uncertain over the market downturn, the Kermit Channel decided to focus on the Asia market. Kermit's launch was delayed until August 1999 in the Philippines.{{cite news|title=Kermit Channel leaps into Philippines|url=http://adage.com/article/news/kermit-channel-leaps-philippines/14017/|accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Ad Age|publisher=Crain Communications|date=August 1999|language=en}} By December 1, 1999, the channel had six million subscribers earlier than projected by its business plan. The next markets the channel was planned to be launched in were Singapore and Malaysia, while considering Japan and China. However by January 2000, Hallmark Entertainment Networks decided to instead to focus on existing markets, India, Malaysia and the Philippines, to build up capacity in distribution and brand awareness.{{cite news|last1=Mazurkewich|first1=Karen|title=Nick grows in Asia, Hungary and Poland|url=http://kidscreen.com/2000/01/01/27623-20000101/|accessdate=January 25, 2018|work=Kidscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications Ltd.|date=January 1, 2000}}

As part of the reorganization of the Hallmark Entertainment, programming on The Kermit Channel in Asia was transferred in November 2000 to the Hallmark Network. On Hallmark it would initially air as a six-hour-a-day block, but was later shortened to three hours a day. In November 2002, the Asian channel was shut down except in India. The Kermit Channel aired in India, until December 2002. Kermit was shut down due to the decision of the Henson Company's owner, EM.TV. Hallmark Entertainment Network and Modi were in discussion to replace the channel with a joint venture family channel.{{cite web |title= Kermit goes off the air; Hallmark, Modi Entertainment may launch family channel |url= http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/dec2k/dec28.htm |publisher=IndianTelevision.com |date=22 December 2002|accessdate=7 September 2014}}

Programming

Hallmark Entertainment and the Jim Henson Company were contributing their film libraries towards the channel. Additional programming were acquired from Children's Television Workshop (CTW).

:Programming blocks

  • Children's educational block
  • Preschool block, is four hours long and home to the CTW programming

:Shows

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Youtube|id=YzAAu7sB_gg|title=Station identification of the channel}}

{{Hallmark Cards}}

{{The Jim Henson Company}}

Category:Hallmark Cards

Category:The Jim Henson Company

Category:Defunct television channels

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1998

Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2002

Category:Defunct television networks in the Philippines

Category:Defunct television channels in India