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In [[2005]], Sesame Workshop, along with Comcast, [[PBS]], and [[HIT Entertainment]], launched a new cable channel called [[PBS Kids Sprout]]. |
In [[2005]], Sesame Workshop, along with Comcast, [[PBS]], and [[HIT Entertainment]], launched a new cable channel called [[PBS Kids Sprout]]. |
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| − | The organization runs a critically acclaimed website, [[sesameworkshop.org]]. In late 2007, they launched the |
+ | The organization runs a critically acclaimed website, [[sesameworkshop.org]]. In late 2007, they launched the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, "to catalyze and support research, innovation and investment in digital media technologies to advance children's learning." |
On March 11 2009, CEO Gary Knell sent around an email to all staff, announcing Sesame Workshop is laying off 67 of 355 staff. Three months ago, Knell told Bloomberg Radio the company was "able to withstand" recessions, but not "immune". Program expenses (including content distribution and licensing) at Sesame Workshop rose $16.4 in 2008.<ref>James Callan, "[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aRl9xs4CNZYg&refer=us ‘Sesame Street’ Producer to Reduce Workforce by 20%]", ''Bloomberg.com'', March 11, 2009.</ref> |
On March 11 2009, CEO Gary Knell sent around an email to all staff, announcing Sesame Workshop is laying off 67 of 355 staff. Three months ago, Knell told Bloomberg Radio the company was "able to withstand" recessions, but not "immune". Program expenses (including content distribution and licensing) at Sesame Workshop rose $16.4 in 2008.<ref>James Callan, "[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aRl9xs4CNZYg&refer=us ‘Sesame Street’ Producer to Reduce Workforce by 20%]", ''Bloomberg.com'', March 11, 2009.</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:50, 3 May 2009
Sesame Workshop logo.
Sesame Workshop (formerly the Children's Television Workshop) is the owner and sole proprietor of Sesame Street as well as television properties Dragon Tales, Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Square One TV and Big Bag.
The Children's Television Workshop was founded in 1968 by Joan Ganz Cooney and associates as a non-profit organization for the education of children. One of the first shows from that company was Sesame Street, which proved to be successful. The Ford Foundation was their initial sponsor, along with government grants.
In 1999, the Children's Televison Workshop, along with Nickelodeon, a division of MTV Networks owned by Viacom, launched a kids' channel called Noggin, featuring many classic kids' shows from both companies. Sesame Workshop sold its half of the channel to Viacom in 2002.
In 2000, the Children's Television Workshop changed its name to Sesame Workshop because by then the company had expanded beyond television.[1] Due to this, Sesame Workshop began to eliminate all references to CTW, such as cutting out the references in Sesame Street's closing credits and replacing all the old CTW logos on TV with the current Sesame Workshop animated logo, and replacing the "CTW" on the Sesame Street sign with "123". In December of the same year, The Jim Henson Company (then under ownership of the German EM.TV) sold the rights to the Sesame Street Muppets for $180 million, giving Sesame Workshop full ownership of Sesame Street Muppets.[2] Prior to that, The Jim Henson Company had owned the rights to the characters, but split revenue generated from merchandise with Sesame Workshop.
In 2005, Sesame Workshop, along with Comcast, PBS, and HIT Entertainment, launched a new cable channel called PBS Kids Sprout.
The organization runs a critically acclaimed website, sesameworkshop.org. In late 2007, they launched the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, "to catalyze and support research, innovation and investment in digital media technologies to advance children's learning."
On March 11 2009, CEO Gary Knell sent around an email to all staff, announcing Sesame Workshop is laying off 67 of 355 staff. Three months ago, Knell told Bloomberg Radio the company was "able to withstand" recessions, but not "immune". Program expenses (including content distribution and licensing) at Sesame Workshop rose $16.4 in 2008.[3]
CTW Logos
Sesame Workshop Logos
Annual reports
Sources
- ↑ Muppet Central news article
- ↑ Muppet Central news article, December 4, 2000
- ↑ James Callan, "‘Sesame Street’ Producer to Reduce Workforce by 20%", Bloomberg.com, March 11, 2009.