KCET Presents the U.S. Premiere of Acclaimed Australian Preschool Series, Hi-5

Actress/Dancer Jaylene Mendoza to Host New, U.S. Version of the Series

KCETs Childrens Programming Block Shifts to Earlier Time

from 5 - 8 a.m. Beginning Feb. 17

Burbank, Calif. - Feb. 4, 2014 - KCET, the nations largest independent public television station serving Southern and Central California, has announced it will launch Hi-5, one of the worlds leading educational series for preschoolers ages 2-8. Hi-5 is the No. 1 rated childrens program in Latin America and Asia and is currently available in more than 80 countries. Hi-5 will debut for the first time in the U.S. exclusively on KCET, beginning Feb. 17 at 7:30 a.m.

Hi-5 episodes, hosted in the U.S. by young actress and dancer Jaylene Mendoza, joins KCETs current childrens block, which shifts to a new time period from 5-8 a.m. each weekday. The full kids block will include: Zula Patrol, Signing Time!, Wunderkind Little Amadeus, Anne of Green Gables, Peep and the Big Wide World and Hi-5.

The Hi-5 series delivers core-learning values for preschoolers, including: education, imaginative play, positivity, social interaction, healthy living and developmental growth. The segments use music, humor and imagination to help children learn about the world around them. The learning theories of Piaget, Gardner, Vygotsky, Dalcroze and others heavily influence the shows content.

We are thrilled to be able to debut Hi-5 exclusively to Southern and Central California audiences, said Mary Mazur, Chief Operating Officer for KCETLink. As a public media organization, education is one of our fundamental programming principles and the addition of this international hit to our childrens block, further exemplifies our commitment to provide quality programming through a global lens to our diverse viewership.

Added Datuk Jared Lim, Chairman of Hi-5 Operations, which owns the rights to the Hi-5 brand: Were thrilled that KCET had the foresight and vision to bring Hi-5, our internationally revered series to the U.S. and help foster the love of learning for young audiences.

Rick Romano, CEO of Genesis Group Unlimited, the North American distributor of Hi-5, said, The Hi-5 series is extremely relevant to todays media savvy preschooler. We are excited to work with KCET to bring an award winning, educationally driven show like Hi-5 to an American audience.

Hi-5 debuted on the Nine Network in Australia in 1999.

The Hi-5 brand includes both a worldwide live tour, as well as its broadcast component, which explores weekly themes with each cast member, such as:

Shapes in Space with Nathan

Body Move with Charli

Word Play with Kellie and puppet Chats

Making Music with Tim and Kellie

Puzzles and Patterns with Sun and puppet Jup Jup

Song of the Week and Sharing Stories with the entire cast

Each segment focuses on a particular area of learning, including: verbal, musical, visual, mathematical, physical and social. The episode concludes with a shared story.

Hi-5 has won countless awards for excellence in childrens programming, including three Logie awards for Most Outstanding Childrens Program and five ARIA Awards for Best Childrens Album. It is a top-rated series in almost every region it is available, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and more.

For more information about the series, please visit: www.kcet.org/Hi-5.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and childrens programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink

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