Fox Family Channel Announces Largest Commitment To Cable In The Classroom In Network's 20-Year History

'The All-New Captain Kangaroo,' 'Saban's The Why Why Family' 'Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?' and 'Check Yourself PSAs' Highlight Network's Educational Series Lineup

In-Classroom Study Materials for Educators to Be Made Available

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Three award-winning educational series, "The All New Captain Kangaroo," "Saban's The Why Why Family," and "Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?" highlight the Fox Family Channel commitment to Cable In the Classroom, the industry-wide initiative which provides curriculum-based programming for in-classroom use by educators, marking the most significant commitment to the campaign in the 20-year history of the network. This announcement was made today by Rich Cronin, President and CEO, Fox Family Channel.

"Cable in the Classroom is one of our industry's most important initiatives, and as a network devoted to family programming, we welcome the opportunity to offer viable resources for use in an educational environment," said Cronin.

Each month, over 20 hours of the Fox Family Channel lineup will feature programming for the Cable in the Classroom's program which will be supported with educational material including classroom activities, teaching guides, reproducible activity masters and color posters. These ancillary materials will be available for educators during 4th Quarter '98 on the Fox Family Channel website: www.foxfamilychannel.com. In addition, Fox Family Channel's current on-air Public Service Campaign "Check Yourself" will be packaged and made available via the scheduled overnight commercial-free network feed.

"The All New Captain Kangaroo," an updated version of the classic children's series which enjoyed a nearly 40-year run on both CBS ('55-'84) and PBS ('84-'93) features John McDonough as Captain Kangaroo. Joined by many of the original characters including Mister Moose, Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Green Jeans and some exciting new characters, this new series features "Storybook Corner" where popular books are read aloud by the Captain. The series' commitment to motivating its young audience earned Captain Kangaroo the prestigious honor of being named the first-ever National Ambassador of Reading is Fundamental (RIF). The series is recognized as one of only 13 children's series found to be "highly educational" by the Annenberg Public Policy Center's '98 report on the state of television and is supported by an Educational Advisory Board made up of distinguished experts in child development, children's health and environmental education who guide the development of emotional, social and environmental themes found in each episode. "The All New Captain Kangaroo" airs Monday-Friday (11:00-11:30 AM ET/PT) without commercial interruption.

"Saban's The Why Why Family" is a curriculum-based educational series which revolves around the adventures of the Why Whys, an animated family able to travel anywhere without restriction to determine the answers to any scientific question. Described by Child magazine as "a friendly science class ... fast moving and fun ..." each episode of the series covers the topics How Things Work, Plants and Animals, Space and Astronomy, Geology and The Human Body. From "Why does it rain?" to "Why do kids look like their parents?," the Why Whys provide astonishing animated answers to every day mysteries kids wonder about in the world around them. "Saban's The Why Why Family" airs Sundays (7:00-7:30 AM ET/PT) without commercial interruption.

"Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?" is a compelling interactive series that tracks the mischievous adventures of the elusive and mysterious Carmen Sandiego, uncovering fascinating facts about geography, history and other social sciences along the way. The critically acclaimed series premiered to record-breaking ratings for an educational/entertainment program, incorporating the same combination of facts and fun that has earned the software which spawned the animated television series over 30 major awards including a Parents Choice Gold Medal. In addition, the show encourages young people to seek information on their own, through reference books and their local libraries. "Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?" airs Saturdays (10:00-10:30 AM ET/PT) and commercial-free in the scheduled overnight network feeds.

The CHECK YOURSELF Public Service Campaign features a 10-part series of messages designed to give kids tools for coping with anxiety, anger, stress and peer pressure. The ten PSAs (eight :60s and two :30s) feature an ensemble of six diverse kids, who depict real life problems relevant to pre-teens, in combination with an inventive, original music score to enhance communicating coping tools to young viewers. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the unique campaign was created with input from a group of developmental psychologists, clinical psychologists and practicing educators. Support materials including an educator's guide and student activity pages will be available in conjunction with the Cable in the Classroom campaign during 4th Quarter '98 on the Fox Family Channel website: www.foxfamilychannel.com. Messages in the PSA campaign include:

Stop, Breathe, Count to Three (2 x :60) The goal is to teach the technique of slow, deep breathing to accomplish self-regulation in the face of strong emotions such as anger and anxiety.

What's Really Going On? (2 x :60) The goal is identify and name different emotions occurring in sequence and find the "triggering emotions," helping kids identify what emotions they are really feeling in order to take responsible action.

Draw It, Write It, Let It Out (2 x :60) The goal is to use expressive processes to express and defuse strong emotions.

Find Out What Works For You (2 x :60) The goal is to tune into your inner voice in the face of peer pressure and exercise personal choice.

Fox Family Channel, which premiered on August 15 as a revitalized version of The Family Channel, is a division of Fox Family Worldwide, Inc. The family-targeted basic cable network available in over 72 million homes nationwide delivers a dynamic mix of family-oriented programming with original movies, specials and series in prime time -- and a fun-filled daytime lineup of newly produced and classic series for children.

 SOURCE  Fox Family Channel

/Web site: http://www.foxfamilychannel.com/

 CO:  Fox Family Channel ST:  California IN:  ENT EDU SU:

(10 Sep 1998 17:33 EDT)