CBS partners with Litton Entertainment for Saturday teen block
CBS has commissioned Litton Entertainment to provide Saturday morning children’s shows that satisfy Federal Communications Commission rules on educational programming.
But unlike the typical Saturday block of cartoons aimed at the preschool and elementary school crowd, CBS’ new block will be aimed at teenagers ages 13 to 16. The new shows will be introduced Sept. 28, the start of the 2013-2014 television season, the network said Wednesday.
The Litton Entertainment deal will replace an arrangement CBS had with Cookie Jar Entertainment. Cookie Jar programming primarily targeted children ages 3 to 6.
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CBS said its upcoming three-hour Saturday morning block will include “uplifting and educational” stories about pet adoption and animal care, healthy eating makeovers, profiles of accomplished people and young athletes who make a positive impact in their communities.
The block will be branded “The CBS Dream Team, It’s Epic!” and consist of six half-hour programs, programmed in high-definition, with pro-social messages that carry a TV-G rating.
Shows will include “Lucky Dog,” in which animal trainer Brandon McMillan rescues abandoned dogs from shelters; “Dr. Chris Pet Vet,” in which veterinarian Chris Brown and colleagues treat and operate on animals; and “Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minute Meals,” featuring the celebrity chef. Sports personality Laila Ali is scheduled to profile interesting people in “All in with Laila Ali.” CBS personality Kevin Frazier is expected to chronicle athletes’ stories in “Game Changers with Kevin Frazier.”
The privately owned Litton Entertainment is an independent distributor headquartered in South Carolina. The company currently produces Litton’s Weekend Adventure for ABC stations, which includes the shows “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown” and “Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin.” Litton News Source distributes “Consumer Reports TV.”
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