The Kermit Channel evolved out of the close working relationship between Henson and Hallmark-most notably on the award-winning TV adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels.
It was launched in Taiwan during January 1999, then rolled out in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. It currently has six million subscribers-well ahead of the business plan-and there are plans to get the channel up in Singapore and Malaysia.
Hallmark’s Jodie McAfee believes the popularity of the network is due to its family orientation. ‘Asian parents have been concerned about the drivel being fed to their children. They want programming that can bring the family together.’ The channel is primarily made up of product from Henson, Hallmark and CTW, which contributes to a popular four-hour preschool block.
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