Morph returns with brand new series exclusively to Sky Kids in time for half term
Morph returns with brand new series exclusively to Sky Kids in time for half term
TV legend, Morph, is hitting screens once again as new episodes arrive exclusively to Sky Kids and the Sky Kids app from 25th October, just in time for half term. Created in partnership with Oscar®-winning studio Aardman, fifteen new episodes – kicking off with Portable Portals - will be available exclusively through Sky Kids, with five episodes released each month from October to December.
The Sky Kids app and other Sky platforms will also include eight movie-making Morph tutorials - Make Your Own Movies with Merlin - helping kids learn how to make their own animated films at home, from sets and props, to cameras and lighting, as well as how to create their very own Morph.
Lucy Murphy, Head of Kids Content, Sky commented: “We’re really excited to welcome Morph to the Sky Kids family. Morph is an iconic British character and we are so excited to have been able to commission these brilliant new episodes from the talented team at Aardman. At Sky, we’re committed to offering the very best entertainment for the whole family and over the past few months the Sky Kids app has gone from strength to strength. With over 4,500 episodes now available On Demand. Morph joins a fantastic line up of favourite characters and we know that our audience, both young and old, will love his new adventures.”
Peter Lord, Aardman Co-Founder and Co-Creator of Morph commented: “It’s fantastic to be launching the new series of Morph on Sky Kids and Morph and sidekick Chas are extremely excited to be back on screens, getting up to even more mischievous and hilarious capers! At Aardman we are really passionate about inspiring creativity in young audiences - encouraging kids to be creators and not just consumers - so the addition of the ‘Make Your Own Movies with Merlin’ tutorials adds real value to the series, and will no doubt help to inspire a new generation of animators.”
Alongside the new Morph episodes, a new kids’ version of Sky 1’s popular science panel show Duck Quacks Don’t Echo: Kids featuring Lee Mack, will launch on Sky Kids this half term. Plus, the Sky Kids app has recently introduced a host of new features making it even easier for kids to enjoy their favourite shows and characters. Including Up Next, prompting kids to watch the next episode in a series easily and Just Watched, so kids can now pick up where they left off or see what they’ve recently been watching in the home screen of the app. As well as further personalisation of Buddy World profiles too.
You can take a sneak peek at what’s to come with the new Morph trailer here: https://youtu.be/GDOHMghhlb0.
Notes to Editors
Morph Episodes: | Available On Demand from: |
Portable Portals, Desktop Rodeo, Remote, Shadow Puppets, Piñata | 25 October 2016 |
Treasure Map, One Man and His Dog, Lamp, Phosing, New Neighbour | 25 November 2016 |
Magic Doors, Birthday Party, Tablet, Rappers Delight, Bootcamp Delivery | 19 December 2016 |
Make Your Own Movies with Merlin tutorials: | Available On Demand from: |
Getting Started, Sets & Props | 25 October 2016 |
Making Your Characters, Cameras & Lighting, Animation Techniques | 25 November 2016 |
Sound & Editing, How To Make A Morph, Movie Workshop | 19 December 2016 |
For further information, please contact:
Sky
Sarah El-Hadidy
Sarah.El-Hadidy@sky.uk
About Aardman
Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, series, advertising and digital entertainment for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercial productions.www.aardman.com
Aardman Rights and Brand Development are renowned for developing and building enduring character brands across all media. They specialise in marketing and realising the commercial potential of their properties in a way that celebrates and respects their intrinsic creative values. Classic brands in the portfolio include Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Morph, while Aardman Rights has recently acquired third party representation for a number of top children’s brands.
About Morph
Morph is the animated clay character who made his TV debut in 1977 in the children’s BBC programme Take Hart. He was created and produced for the BBC by Aardman Animations.
Morph lived in a wooden pencil box on the desk of the artist and show host, Tony Hart, and appeared mainly in one minute "shorts" interspersed throughout the show. These were connected to the main show by having Hart deliver a line or two to Morph who would reply in gobbledygook but with meaningful gestures. Later on, Morph was joined by cream-coloured Chas, who was much more badly behaved.
Morph was a regular fixture on children’s television throughout the 70s and 80s, and received his own Blue Peter badge on 9th March 1981, when Blue Peter presenter Sarah Greene visited the Aardman studios.
In March 2009, shortly after Hart's death, a flashmob of Morph models gathered in London outside the Tate Modern art gallery.
Almost 40 years after his TV debut, Morph made a comeback following a hugely successful campaign on the Kickstarter crowdfunding website. The episodes launched on Morph’s dedicated YouTube channel for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy.
About Sky
Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.
Sky has annual revenues of £12 billion and is Europe's leading investor in television content with a combined programming budget of £5.2 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).
About Sky Kids
Kids shows on Sky are available via the dedicated Sky Kids app and on demand via the Kids section on Sky Q and Sky+, as well as through Sky Go, and with a NOW TV Kids Pass. And now there is a dedicated Sky Kids tile on demand where Morph and other new shows from Sky will be.
Kids’ shows are available for millions of Sky families with Sky Variety and Box Sets bundles at no extra cost.
The new series of Morph will also be available on NOW TV with the NOW TV Kids Pass, available for £2.99 a month, no contract.
The Sky Kids app can be downloaded from Google Play and Apple’s App Store on compatible tablets. The app will work on 3G/4G and Wi-Fi. Download is available to customers with Sky Go Extra, Sky Multiscreen or a Sky Q subscription, and available over Wi-Fi only.
