Sprout To Launch New Series

Toddler-targeted network Spout will launch three new series as part of its fall TV season lineup, the network announced Wednesday.

The preschool cable channel will debut on Aug. 27 Olive The Ostrich, a CGI animated series where animators bring to life real pictures drawn by children; Wibbly Pig, an animated series that finds fun and humor in the daily routine of a young child; and 64 Zoo Lane, in which a 7-year old girl is told stories by the animals living next door at a zoo.

In addition the network has greenlit new episodes of such shows as Pajanimals, in which puppet characters help kids navigate their days and nights; and The Good Night Show, a live-action show which helps parents wind down preschoolers after a day of play.

"One of our biggest priorities this year at Sprout is to incorporate more and more original programming and Sprout exclusives into our lineup," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming at Sprout in a statement. "By making the shows available across multiple platforms, we're able to introduce these wonderful stories and characters to an even wider audience."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.