HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment Limited
Formerly
  • Henson International Television (1982–1989)
  • Gainbase PLC (1989)
  • HIT Communications PLC (1989–1995)
  • HIT Entertainment PLC (1994–2006)
Company typeIn-name-only unit of Mattel
IndustryTelevision production
GenreEntertainment
Children's programming
PredecessorsGullane Entertainment
Lyrick Studios
Founded1982; 44 years ago (1982)
Founders
DefunctMarch 31, 2016; 10 years ago (March 31, 2016)
FateSubmerged into Mattel Creations
Headquarters
London, England
New York City, New York, U.S.
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Number of locations
4
Key people
Peter Orton
Products
Services
  • Distribution
  • Licensing
Owner
Number of employees
188+
ParentJim Henson Productions (1982-1989)
Apex Partners (2005-2012)
Mattel (2012-2016)
DivisionsHIT Video
HIT Customer Products
HIT Toy Company
HIT Movies
SubsidiariesHIT Entertainment USA Inc.
Ludgate 151 Ltd.
Endermode Ltd.
HIT Entertainment Canada Inc.
Website (redirects to Mattel)

HIT Entertainment Limited (stylized as HiT) was a British-American entertainment company founded in 1982 as Henson International Television, the international distribution arm of The Jim Henson Company by Jim Henson, Peter Orton and Sophie Turner Laing. When Henson wanted to sell the company to Disney in 1989, Peter Orton took over the company. HIT owns and distributes children's television series including Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Pingu, Barney & Friends, Pingu and Angelina Ballerina.

On March 31, 2016, HIT was submerged into Mattel Creations.

Programs

BBC series

  1. The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge (25 December 1996–3 January 2000), aired on BBC One
  2. The Phoenix and the Carpet (16 November–21 December 1997), aired on BBC One
  3. Bob the Builder (original and series 1–18, 12 April 1999–31 December 2011), aired on BBC One, BBC Two, and CBeebies
  4. Sheeep (7 April 2000–3 April 2001), aired on BBC One and CBBC
  5. The Magic Key (25 September 2000–11 June 2001), aired on BBC Two
  6. Rubbadubbers (15 January 2003–14 February 2005), aired on CBeebies
  7. Pingu (series 5–6, 1 August 2003–3 March 2006), aired on CBeebies
  8. Fireman Sam (first revival and series 5, 4 April–25 December 2005), aired on CBeebies
  9. Mike the Knight (8 September 2011–2015), aired on CBeebies

CITV series

  1. Where's Wally? (14 September–14 December 1991), American home media only
  2. Captain Zed and the Zee Zone (17 October 1991–30 March 1993), American home media only
  3. Percy the Park Keeper (25 December 1996–12 December 1999)
  4. Kipper (5 December 1997–21 December 2000)
  5. Archibald the Koala (4 September 1998–21 July 2000)
  6. Angelina Ballerina (15 October 2001–5 September 2006)
  7. Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! (2 June 2003–29 August 2005)
  8. Art Attack (series 16–19, 10 September 2003–19 May 2007)
  9. Sooty (series 3, 27 October 2003–6 January 2004)

Five series

  1. Oswald (20 August 2001–19 September 2003)
  2. Thomas & Friends (series 7–20, 6 October 2003–31 July 2017), reruns after Nick Jr until series 11
  3. Fireman Sam (second revival and series 6–10, 24 November 2008–26 August 2016), along with Cartoonito
  4. Wobbly Land (2006–2008), along with Nick Jr
  5. Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (5 September 2009–13 November 2010), along with Nick Jr and PBS Kids
  6. Bob the Builder (revival and series 19–20, 1 September 2015–7 September 2017)

Syndication

  1. Anthony Ant (1 February–18 April 1999), aired on YTV
  2. Fly Tales (5 September–31 December 1999), aired on Teletoon
  3. Barney & Friends (series 7–14, 2 September 2002–2 November 2010), aired on PBS Kids
  4. Frances (2007), aired on PBS Kids Sprout
  5. Little People (series 1, 7 March–4 October 2016), aired on Sprout
  6. Finding Blitzer

References

  1. ↑ "Peter Orton: Media entrepreneur who made a global success of Bob the Builder". The Independent. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "HIT Entertainment PLC - Overview". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "HIT Entertainment". www.hitentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2002. Retrieved 1 July 2026.

Other websites