NEW YORK, NY/DALLAS/TX (APRIL 30, 2004) –

In addition, HIT is creating entertainment and licensing plans for The Jim Henson Company’s classic, award-winning family properties, including Fraggle RockTM, which celebrates its 20 th anniversary in ’05. On April 1, HIT and Henson announced a five-year global rights and production venture covering television, home entertainment and consumer products.

HIT Entertainment will build on its core franchises with exciting news in 2005. “We are thrilled to bring Bob the Builder to the latest generation of preschool children with a new television series and consumer products, set to debut in 2005,” said Jamie Cygielman, SVP of HIT Entertainment’s Brand Business Group. “Bob the Builder is a proven success around the world, with his ‘can-do’ spirit and positive message that ‘the fun is in getting it done.’

“Adding to the excitement, Thomas & Friends will celebrate its 60 th year in publishing in 2005. We’ll bring the brand to multiple generations through a 60 th Anniversary Celebration that will be developed across a range of platforms, including publishing, home entertainment, consumer products, live events and promotions. For each of our core brands, we have also created integrated events planned around signature home entertainment releases, as well as new promotional and licensing partnerships .”

Angelina Ballerina™

Angelina Ballerina, the Little Star with Big Dreams, announces new partnerships to bring her positive, girl-empowering message to her audience. Angelina has strong roots in dance, so it is only fitting that she team up with two of the most important alliances in the dance world. First, Angelina has partnered with the prestigious ballet company, American Ballet Theatre (“ABT”) – and is appearing as “Co-Chairmouseling” at the ABT Family Gala in New York City in June. Angelina will continue charming live audiences at high-profile ABT events throughout fall ’04.

Bob the Builder™

Bob the Builder, one of the most beloved preschool characters globally, will build on its success in 2005 with a new broadcast series created by HIT’s HOT Animation Studios in the UK. The New Adventures of Bobthe Builder will break new ground with preschoolers, presenting each episode as a complete story that also integrates with the others to build a continuing storyline. In addition, the episodic series contains a positive environmental message, and features Bob using natural materials and renewable energy sources. A complementary toy/consumer products line that ties thematically with the series will encourage young viewers to interact with Bob and his can-do crew during their stop-motion animated adventures. Highlights for the second half of ’04 include the following:

• This fall, get ready for an all-new direct-to-video adventure with Bob the Builder and his team in Snowed Under: The Bobblesberg Winter Games, available on both feature- packed DVD ($14.99 SRP) and VHS ($9.99 SRP) on September 28. The integrated campaign built to support Snowed Under includes the following components: comprehensive consumer and trade advertising in national media; product and promotional tie-ins with Bob the Builder apparel and publishing partners; cross-trailering and inserts in summer and fall ’04 HIT videos; and online activities on the www.bobthebuilder.com web site.
• Along with three new fall titles, Random House, Inc. will publish Snowed Under: The Bobblesberg Winter Games Deluxe Coloring Book ($3.99 SRP). A complimentary offer for a Bob the Builder™ book bag, cross-promoted in the book, the video and on the Random House web site, will build excitement for the coordinated launch. Simon & Schuster, Inc. is publishing five new Bob the Builder titles in fall ’04, including a softcover picturebook of Snowed Under: The Bobblesberg Winter Games ($3.99 SRP); the video and softcover book will be cross-promoted. In addition, Publications International will release two new Bob the Builder electronic sound books in their new Story ReaderTM Sing-Along format this fall.

Rubbadubbers™

One of the top 10 preschool programs on commercial television, HIT Entertainment’s new animated series premiered in September 2003 on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr.®. The product roll-out continues this fall, with new home entertainment titles from HIT, as well as toys and books from lead licensees Hasbro, Inc., Scholastic and Simon & Schuster.

The launch of the new property will continue throughout summer and fall, and into ’05, with these highlights:

• HIT will release two new home entertainment titles: High Noon in the Bathroom, streeting on July 13, and Finbar the Mighty Movie Star, releasing on October 12 and featuring a special on-pack Finbar toy, available while supplies last. Both titles will be available on feature-packed DVD ($14.99 SRP) and VHS ($9.99 SRP). New releases will continue to hit retail shelves in 2005 beginning in January.

• A total of 23 Rubbadubbers books – including 11 this fall – will be published in 2004 by Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and Publications International. Rubbadubbers will be a featured character brand in Scholastic’s 10-city Reading All Stars Minor League Baseball promotion this summer.

• Hasbro will release new Rubbadubbers toys this fall, including three new Tub Fun items to celebrate the special time of the day that is bathtime.
• A range of domestics from Jay Franco & Sons, Inc., including a variety of bath and beach towels, will be introduced this summer at specialty locations.
• Adding to Rubbadubbers’ list of licensees is Spin Master Toys, offering an AquadoodleTM coloring activity product this fall. Children can use this fun new water technology to color their favorite Rubbadubbers characters, over and over again. Priced at $9.99 SRP, Aquadoodle includes a “magic pen” and four coloring sheets with different scenes.