Los Angeles, CA (November 18, 2013) – When Disney Channel in Germany transitions from a pay-TV service
into an advertising-financed free-to-air channel on January 1, 2014, The Jim Henson Company’s Emmy
nominated preschool series, DINOSAUR TRAIN, will be an important series featured in the channel’s all-new
programming schedule. The announcement was made today by Richard Goldsmith, EVP of Global
Distribution, and Lars Wagner, general manager, Disney Channels Germany, Switzerland and Australia.
The 24-hour family channel will take over the transmission slots currently occupied by entertainment channel
Das Vierte (which Disney acquired in autumn 2012) on cable, satellite and DTT in Germany. The popular
animated children’s series has been airing on the Disney Junior pay-TV service in Germany since 2011.
“DINOSAUR TRAIN was first introduced to German audiences through Disney’s pay-TV service Disney Junior,
and we are eager to make the transition to free-to-air broadcast in association with Disney Channel,” said
Goldsmith. “We see this as a wonderful opportunity for DINOSAUR TRAIN to be enjoyed by even more
children throughout Germany.”
“The wide range of programming content on our new free-to-air Disney Channel will address children and
families, as well as adult, predominantly female prime time viewers,’ explained Wagner “DINOSAUR TRAIN is
immensely popular with our youngest viewers so we were very happy that The Jim Henson Company was on
board with the transition of the series to our free-to-air channel. It’s a great way to maintain continuity and do
something new at the same time.”
DINOSAUR TRAIN continues to build both its audience and licensing program in Germany. DINOSAUR
TRAIN’s licensing agent in Germany, Lizenzwerft, has brokered DINOSAUR TRAIN agreements with Popstar
for party goods; Universal Music for audio storytelling products, both physical and digital; and Nelson Verlag
who is developing DINOSAUR TRAIN coloring and activity books.
Disney Cinemagic, Disney Junior and Disney XD will remain as pay-TV channels in the German marketplace.
DINOSAUR TRAIN is set in a whimsically realistic, prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes and
oceans. Each day, DINOSAUR TRAIN helps kids ages three to six to apply scientific thinking as they discover
new types of dinosaur species, compare and contrast dinosaurs to today’s creatures and embrace the living
sciences of paleontology and natural science.
Each half-hour episode features two animated segments; each followed by a short live action segment with a
real paleontologist interacting with kids who love to explore the world around them. Based on input from
paleontologists, science educators and early childhood education experts, DINOSAUR TRAIN promotes critical
thinking skills for preschoolers based on an engaging and creative curriculum.
About DINOSAUR TRAIN:
Created by Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!), DINOSAUR TRAIN airs on PBS KIDS ® (check local listings), and
embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while
encouraging basic scientific and thinking skills. DINOSAUR TRAIN is produced by The Jim Henson Company
and co-produced with Singapore animation company Sparky Animation with participation and assistance of the
Singapore Media Development Authority. U.K. production and financial support is provided by Ingenious
Media.
