Fed: Humphrey may be boned from Nine

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2007
Fed: Humphrey may be boned from Nine

MELBOURNE, Feb 13 AAP - 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, Fairfax said.

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 don't negotiate through The Age. 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, Fairfax said.

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.

AAP jrd/rs

KEYWORD: HUMPHREY

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