- PC -
13 Feb 2007, 01:53
Can it be true? No more honey for our favourite bear?
When asked how he felt about impeding retirement Humphrey was speechless (http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21217562-5005361,00.html)
CHILDREN'S television favourite Humphrey B Bear's future is uncertain, with the Nine Network yet to commission a new series of the beloved bear's program despite a looming deadline.
Humphrey, the pantless, speechless television bear who has been a fixture on Australian television since 1965, is yet to set a deal with Adelaide-based Banksia Productions to commission a new series of Here's Humphrey, Fairfax newspapers reported today.
Nine holds the Australian rights to Here's Humphrey and, under the deal, can repeat each episode three times. Here's Humphrey is not currently airing, but the Nine Network has only weeks left of daily repeats if it does not do a deal with Banksia.
This left the door open for the rival Seven and Ten networks to step in and give the bear a new home.
When questioned on the future of the honey-loving bear at Nine, network chief executive Eddie McGuire said: “We are in a production break at the moment and we'll discuss Humphrey in due course”.
Nine has signed a two-year deal with the makers of rival program Hi-5 and has ceased promoting Humphrey as one of its programs on its website.
Banksia spokesman Stewart Lamb refused to comment on speculation that rival commercial networks were set to headhunt Humphrey, but said keeping Humphrey on Australian TV was important.
“He's been on Australian TV for 42 years and we don't want that to end,” he said.
Humphrey is a big overseas seller. Banksia flies in Mandarin and Spanish-speaking presenters to serve its large Chinese, Spanish and South American markets.
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Like Bert Newton he has been a part of my television history. Even though I dont watch him now it was good to know newer generations were watching
I remember 5 years old in the Channel 9 studios in Adelaide and giving him my weetbix cards :o and feeling so proud he wanted them
When asked how he felt about impeding retirement Humphrey was speechless (http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21217562-5005361,00.html)
CHILDREN'S television favourite Humphrey B Bear's future is uncertain, with the Nine Network yet to commission a new series of the beloved bear's program despite a looming deadline.
Humphrey, the pantless, speechless television bear who has been a fixture on Australian television since 1965, is yet to set a deal with Adelaide-based Banksia Productions to commission a new series of Here's Humphrey, Fairfax newspapers reported today.
Nine holds the Australian rights to Here's Humphrey and, under the deal, can repeat each episode three times. Here's Humphrey is not currently airing, but the Nine Network has only weeks left of daily repeats if it does not do a deal with Banksia.
This left the door open for the rival Seven and Ten networks to step in and give the bear a new home.
When questioned on the future of the honey-loving bear at Nine, network chief executive Eddie McGuire said: “We are in a production break at the moment and we'll discuss Humphrey in due course”.
Nine has signed a two-year deal with the makers of rival program Hi-5 and has ceased promoting Humphrey as one of its programs on its website.
Banksia spokesman Stewart Lamb refused to comment on speculation that rival commercial networks were set to headhunt Humphrey, but said keeping Humphrey on Australian TV was important.
“He's been on Australian TV for 42 years and we don't want that to end,” he said.
Humphrey is a big overseas seller. Banksia flies in Mandarin and Spanish-speaking presenters to serve its large Chinese, Spanish and South American markets.
-----------------------
Like Bert Newton he has been a part of my television history. Even though I dont watch him now it was good to know newer generations were watching
I remember 5 years old in the Channel 9 studios in Adelaide and giving him my weetbix cards :o and feeling so proud he wanted them