HI-TV, MEXICO'S FIRST FREE-TO-AIR DIGITAL MULTI-CHANNEL TELEVISION SYSTEM, TO CARRY 1,200 COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT TITLES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto (January 22, 2010) - Cookie Jar Entertainment has partnered with Mexico's Hi-tv, to make 1,200 of its library titles available on the country's first free-to-air, digital multi-channel television system.
"We are thrilled to partner with Hi-tv in their new venture and to offer such a wide variety of Cookie Jar Entertainment programming to children in Mexico," said Rodrigo Piza, Cookie Jar Entertainment's VP of Sales for Latin America. "This is the first time that so many Cookie Jar Entertainment shows will be available to kids throughout the country."
"Hi-tv is breaking new ground with free-to-air digital multi-channel television in Mexico," said Fabián Zamarrón, Marketing Manager of Hi-tv. "We're following the global trend of making great, digital TV accessible to all and Cookie Jar Entertainment's programming is an excellent new addition to our line-up."
Among the Cookie Jar Entertainment shows available are Emmy award-winning Arthur, Mona the Vampire, Sabrina: the Animated Series and Dino Squad. Hi-tv will also broadcast numerous Cookie Jar Entertainment series never before seen in Mexico.
About Cookie Jar Group of Companies
The Cookie Jar Group of Companies is one of the world's leading independent entertainment, consumer products and education companies with 16 offices around the globe. Cookie Jar Entertainment is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of animated and live-action programming. Its library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes of television features some of the world's most recognizable series including Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Arthur, The Doodlebops and Johnny Test. The company controls Cookie Jar TV, the weekend morning block on CBS, and has a one-third interest in international children's television channel KidsCo. Cookie Jar Entertainment's Jaroo.com is the premiere web video destination for kids with the largest independent selection of full-length children's TV series and movies online. Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG) Cookie Jar's full-service international licensing agency, represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands such as Strawberry Shortcake, Richard Scarry, St. Andrews Links, Lucha Libre and Skelanimals. Carson-Dellosa Publishing is one of North America's largest providers of supplemental education materials, reaching nearly 2,000 teachers across the United States. For more information, please visit www.cjar.com.
About Hi-tv
Hi-tv is the first free-to-air, digital multi-channel television system to be deployed in Latin America. The service, a new business unit of Grupo Salinas, offers a broad selection of digital TV channels delivered free-of-charge and received via a roof-top antenna. There are no contracts and no fixed monthly payments. To start enjoying Hi-tv, viewers simply purchase a plug'n'play set-top box and connect it to their existing TV set. The Hi-tv channel line-up includes something for every member of the family, from the best in general entertainment to movies, sports and children's programming.
In Mexico, just 25% of TV households have access to a multi-channel TV service, compared to almost 90% in the US. Through the Hi-tv initiative this situation is set to change quickly, as this innovative solution truly brings the benefits of multi-channel digital television within the reach of all Mexicans.
About Grupo Salinas
Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to building the middle class of the countries where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Hi-tv (www.quierohitv.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx) and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brook Hefner/Cookie Jar Entertainment bhefner@cjar.com; (818) 955-5454
