FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karin Lippert
Protocol Entertainment, Inc.
(416) 966-2711, ext. 235
karin@protocolent.com
THE SADDLE CLUB™ GIRLS ARE BACK!
THE FUN BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER – ALL-NEW CAST,
ADVENTURES, FRIENDS, MUSIC, FUN & HORSES
Series 3 of International Hit TV Series Premieres on
Public Television Stations September 2008 through
APT and CPTV
TORONTO (July 2008) – Millions of kids have been waiting for the new
adventures of Carole, Stevie and Lisa, the girls who formed the Saddle Club
and their favorite horses Starlight, Belle and Prancer. Now, their wait is over!
Series 3, “The Saddle Club Rides Again,” of the international hit TV series based
on the popular books by Bonnie Bryant will premiere on public television stations
across America September 2008 through American Public Television (APT)
and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc (CPTV).
The excitement about the new series is shared by author Bonnie Bryant, who
said, “It just keeps getting better and better.” And, by the “new girls” – the three
young actors who play the leads: “We were thrilled to be chosen to play the roles
of Carole, Stevie and Lisa in the new series. They’re best friends and they
became our role models.”
The live-action series, co-produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd and
Protocol Entertainment, Inc., follows the ever-changing world of three 12-yearolds - Carole, Stevie and Lisa - who formed the Saddle Club and vowed to stick
together against all odds. Set against the excitement of the horse-world the three
girls face plenty of challenges in every episode. Along with peer and family
pressures, school and riding competitions, the girls cope with the emotional
issues of growing up, boy trouble and their favorite adversary Veronica, and her
new sidekick Desi.
The 26x30 all-new adventures feature a new cast, location, stories, music, fun
with horses and a miniature donkey named Trouble. Shot in HD in Australia, the
new series has all the fun, intrigue and action that made the first two series a hit
with kids worldwide.
“The new Saddle Club series keeps all the wonderful elements of Bonnie
Bryant’s books and her characters and in a new Pine Hollow setting with the
same wonderful horses, great music and a few surprises,” said Nick McMahon,
CEO of Crawford Productions.
Each episode of the new series contains a Saddle Club Video Journal. The SC
Video Journals are an entertaining and educational part of the public television
broadcasts. For Series 3, 26 new “Behind-the-Scenes Video Journals” were
produced on location in Australia with members of the new cast and crew, and
special guest Bonnie Bryant.
“We are proud that The Saddle Club™ has found a home on public television
stations across America,” said Steve Levitan, CEO and president of Protocol
Entertainment. “The series has ridden away with the hearts of tweens and we are
seeing a passionate loyalty among the public television fans that mirrors our
experience around the world.”
-30About The Saddle Club™
The Saddle Club™ is an Australia-Canada co-production based on the popular
book series by Bonnie Bryant. Produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd.
(Australia) and Protocol Entertainment Inc. (Canada). To date, 78 half-hour
episodes of the TV series have been produced. The series premiered on public
television stations in the US in September, 2006 through American Public
Television (APT Exchange) in association with Connecticut Public Broadcasting,
Inc. (CPTV). Series 2 premiered on public television stations, September, 2007
and the new series will premiere September 7, 2008.
For information on The Saddle Club™ visit www.saddleclubtv.com
About the Producers
Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. is Australia’s most established and respected television
production company. Now part of the WIN television group, the Crawfords Australia
name is synonymous with high quality, locally-produced entertainment. Crawfords
Australia pioneered television in Australia, with programs ranging from police dramas,
sitcoms, mini-series and children’s drama.
Based in Melbourne, the company has produced over 4,000 hours of television
programming, including the internationally acclaimed The Flying Doctors.
Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is one of Canada’s most celebrated producers of popular
and critically-acclaimed children’s entertainment television programming.
The company is recognized worldwide for producing high quality, audience and awardwinning series for kids and families based on best-selling book properties. The producer
of the smash hits Goosebumps™, Animorphs™, Dear America™ and The Saddle
Club™ television series, Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is based in Toronto.
About Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPTV)
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc (CPTV), a service of the Connecticut Public
Broadcasting Network, is a nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality
public television programming. CPTV played an historic role in bringing a number of
landmark programs to public television, including Barney & Friends™, Bob the Builder™,
Thomas & Friends™, and Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers. The station’s latest
educational and entertainment offerings are The Saddle Club™, Blue Man Group: Inside
the Tube, Landscapes Through Time with David Dunlop and Lomax: The Hound of
Music. Now in its 45th year, CPTV remains committed to bringing the best in educational
programming and services to Connecticut and the nation.
Note: stations/producers are permitted to add their title to the APT-distributed titles listed
within the boilerplate.
About American Public Television (APT)
With more than 10,000 hours of programming in its library, American Public Television
(APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations
for 47 years, distributing more than 300 new program titles per year. APT milestones
include distribution of the first HD series on public television and the 2006 launch of
Create™ — the TV channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle
programming. Known for its leadership in identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewerfriendly programming, APT has established a tradition of providing public television
stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules, such as
Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert, Winged Migration, Battlefield Britain, Globe
Trekker, Rick Steves' Europe, Great Museums, Jacques Pépin: Fast Food My Way,
America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Broadway: The Golden Age, Lidia's
Family Table, California Dreamin’ – The Songs of The Mamas & the Papas, Rosemary
and Thyme, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, The Big Comfy Couch, Monarchy With
David Starkey, and other prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs,
children’s series and classic movies. For more information about APT’s programs and
services, visit APTonline.org.
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