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Sky revives Morph for new Sky Kids app Sky revives Morph for new Sky Kids app
(5 months later)
Morph, the Plasticine mischief-maker who first appeared alongside Tony Hart nearly 40 years ago, is to be remoulded by Sky.Morph, the Plasticine mischief-maker who first appeared alongside Tony Hart nearly 40 years ago, is to be remoulded by Sky.
The stop-motion animated favourite will be brought back, along with his buddy Chas, as part of a new drive into children’s programming that includes a new Sky Kids app.The stop-motion animated favourite will be brought back, along with his buddy Chas, as part of a new drive into children’s programming that includes a new Sky Kids app.
Morph is the latest children’s programme from yesteryear to be resurrected for a new generation of viewers including the Clangers and the Teletubbies on CBeebies, Danger Mouse on CBBC and ITV’s new-look Thunderbirds Are Go.Morph is the latest children’s programme from yesteryear to be resurrected for a new generation of viewers including the Clangers and the Teletubbies on CBeebies, Danger Mouse on CBBC and ITV’s new-look Thunderbirds Are Go.
Related: How we made Morph
Morph’s original producers, Aardman Animation, the award winning makers of Wallace and Gromit, will be behind the new series. Sky said it will look to develop more new content including children’s versions of shows it already makes for a family audience.Morph’s original producers, Aardman Animation, the award winning makers of Wallace and Gromit, will be behind the new series. Sky said it will look to develop more new content including children’s versions of shows it already makes for a family audience.
Morph began life on BBC1’s Take Hart in 1977, later featuring in his own series, The Amazing Adventures of Morph, and returning with Tony Hart for Hartbeat in 1984.Morph began life on BBC1’s Take Hart in 1977, later featuring in his own series, The Amazing Adventures of Morph, and returning with Tony Hart for Hartbeat in 1984.
Aardman launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to bring back Morph three years ago, and he later appeared on a YouTube channel. Alas there is no sign that bumbling caretaker Mr Bennett will also be back.Aardman launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to bring back Morph three years ago, and he later appeared on a YouTube channel. Alas there is no sign that bumbling caretaker Mr Bennett will also be back.
Lucy Murphy, head of kids’ content at Sky, said: “Having lots of great shows for kids has always really mattered to us.Lucy Murphy, head of kids’ content at Sky, said: “Having lots of great shows for kids has always really mattered to us.
“Around a quarter of Sky households have children so we know how important it is we give them the very best kids entertainment.“Around a quarter of Sky households have children so we know how important it is we give them the very best kids entertainment.
“That is why we are investing in exclusive new programming starting with family favourite Morph as well as developing future enhancements for the app including even more safety features, live channels and offline viewing.”“That is why we are investing in exclusive new programming starting with family favourite Morph as well as developing future enhancements for the app including even more safety features, live channels and offline viewing.”
Sky said Morph would appear exclusively on the Sky Kids app, aimed at preschoolers to nine-year-olds and featuring a range of shows from channels carried by Sky including CBeebies, Nick Jr, Boomerang and Cartoon Network.Sky said Morph would appear exclusively on the Sky Kids app, aimed at preschoolers to nine-year-olds and featuring a range of shows from channels carried by Sky including CBeebies, Nick Jr, Boomerang and Cartoon Network.
It will include a sleep mode setting that gives parents the ability to limit viewing time. Alix Wiseman, head of sales and acquisitions & executive producer, Aardman, said: “Morph is very dear to our hearts and we hope that he and his mate Chas will entertain a brand new generation of viewers on this platform, as they have their loyal fan-base over the past four decades.”It will include a sleep mode setting that gives parents the ability to limit viewing time. Alix Wiseman, head of sales and acquisitions & executive producer, Aardman, said: “Morph is very dear to our hearts and we hope that he and his mate Chas will entertain a brand new generation of viewers on this platform, as they have their loyal fan-base over the past four decades.”