Sandy Wax

President, PBS Kids Sprout

WHY WE’RE WATCHING: The former SoapNet senior vice president of programming planning, scheduling and acquisitions traded the soapy world of passion and conflicts for Barney and Bob The Builder when she took the top spot at PBS Kids Sprout in October. Wax is charged with growing the fledgling preschool service, a joint venture of Comcast Corp., Sesame Workshop, HITS Entertainment and PBS Kids that launched last September in 16.5 million.

HIGH ’05s: “The biggest things were joining PBS Kids Sprout, the first and only 24/7 on-air, on-demand and online preschool service as president, and having such an incredible family that supports me every day.”

PICKS IN ’06: “Our focus is on growing PBS Kids Sprout in terms of linear distribution and VOD usage, as well as in the hearts and minds of preschoolers and those who love them.”

EXECUTIVE INFLUENCES: “[SoapNet general manager] Deborah Blackwell, who taught me how to be a general manager and fueled my career. [Disney Media Networks co-chair and Disney ABC Television Group president] Anne Sweeney and [the group’s] chief marketing officer and [executive vice president] of marketing and brand strategy Eleo Hensleigh who consistently believed in my abilities.”

MY TIME: “With my recent move to Philadelphia, much of my time is filled with buying heavy sweaters and new furniture, decorating my house, exploring a new city and sampling the many great restaurants and museums with my husband and kids.”