New Teletubbies series to debut in January

NEW YORK — A pared down, more learning-focused version of television’s Teletubbies will debut on PBS this winter, series creator Ragdoll said this week.

Starting on January 20, 2003, the first of fifty-two 10-minute episodes of Teletubbies Everywhere will air immediately before the daily showing of episodes of the original Teletubbies series on PBS Kids.

Teletubbies Everywhere  features a new format designed around learning concepts such as counting, shapes and colors explored through non-linear games and exercises; and is set in a high-tech studio instead of the bucolic green fields of Teletubbyland. In another first, the series will feature American children in its live action segments, along with segments from non-Western countries such as South Korea and India.

In addition to Teletubbies Everywhere, Ragdoll will deliver to PBS Kids 20 new Teletubbies episodes for broadcast during 2003.

PBS has rights to the Teletubbies for broadcast through 2008.

In Teletubbies merchandising news, Toys R Us will introduce an exclusive line of plush toys based on the property next month.