Kidvid keeps growing … and learning

Drug Store News, March 16, 1998

This month marks the debut of the 32nd Barney video. Some of the early titles have been retired; currently, about 26 titles are active. The latest, "Barney in Outer Space," is slated for a March 17 release.

"Barney in Outer Space" will be promoted with a sweepstakes rewarding the winner with a trip to the Houston Space Center to meet astronaut Ken Reightler, who appears in the video. On every pack is a paper replica of the space shuttle that kids and parents can assemble and fly.

This will be followed by "Barney's Big Surprise" (arriving in stores May 19), based on the musical stage show that has been touring the United States since September 1996.

Lyrick also has other new titles coming up, including the June release of 'Wishbone: Dog Days of the West." In May, Lyrick will offer five new titles in Shelley Duvall's American Tall Tales and Legends series: "Annie Oakley," "Casey At the Bat," "Johnny Appleseed," "Davy Crockett" and "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme."

This spring Lyrick will launch another line called Veggie Tales. The latter series has sold more than 2 million pieces in the Christian market, and will be available for the first time in general distribution starting in March.

WarnerVision Entertainment's Capone emphasized that television is a powerful hook for childrens' sell-through video. In February, Warner released two titles in its Magic Schoolbus series (based on the public television program) about science and the environment. New are "Out of this World" and "Getting Energized," both with Lily Tomlin as the science teacher, along with two new Mary Kate & Ashley titles, "You're Invited to a Ballet Party" and "You're Invited to a Campout Party," another video series based on PBS.

Also television-based is the Real Wheels video series, based on the program "Dream Big." The latest title is "There Goes a Garbage Truck," making 13 titles, ranging from trucks and race cars to trains and spaceships.

Warner also supplies the edutainment demand with its distributed line of animal videos, National Geographic Kids.

On April 17, Warner launches a new line under the Kids WB brand called "Bugs Bunny's World of Animals," starting with three titles: "Funky Monkeys," "Silly Seals" and "Elephant Parade." These combine animation with live-action animal footage. Capone noted that Warner heard from moms that animal programming can be dull or violent. "These are kid friendly," he said.

Array of kidvid

Among the brand-name characters appearing on video this spring will be the recent theatrical film, "Anastasia," from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, coming in April. Other new children's video from Fox includes this month's release of a sequel to "FernGully," the made-for-video "FernGully 2: The Last Rescue." Eight Fox Kids Video titles are re-priced for April, including "Adventures of Raggedy Ann & Andy," "Adventures of the Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella."

This spring, Paramount is featuring fare with television recognition, including its latest in the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. video lines. Coming in April are "Rugrats: Mommy Mania," "Maurice Sendak's Little Bear: Parties and Picnics," "Allegra's Window: Sing Along with Allegra & Lindi" and "Gullah-Gullah Island: Feelings.