. . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is a production company/distributing company that was founded in 1983 and originally the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called Henson I'nternational Television (later reincorperated as \"HiT Communications plc.\"). However, following the death of Jim Henson in 1990, the business was sold to several members of the company's management, led by Peter Orton, and recorporated to its current name to prevent any future confusion between the two companies. Among the properties it owns several."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Hit entertainment 1983-2022"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Hit Entertainment is a Proudicton for the shows called Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder, Barney and Friends, Pingu, Fireman Sam, Disability Challengers Farnham (TV Series), Adventures Of Challengers, and Postman Pat, All of Them."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HiT Entertainment"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HiT was originally formed as Henson International Television (hit!) in 1983 as a branch of the Jim Henson Company in order to coordinate the co-production of Fraggle Rock in London. This subsidiary was later sold and retains none of the original Henson company architecture except for the name. It later re-branded itself as \"HiT Entertainment\". On 1 February 2012, it was announced that Mattel purchased HiT Entertainment from Apax Partners for $680 million."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is a children's company."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is a production company/distributing company that was founded in 1983 and originally the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called Henson I'nternational Television (later reincorperated as \"HiT Communications plc.\"). However, following the death of Jim Henson in 1990, the business was sold to several members of the company's management, led by Peter Orton, and recorporated to its current name to prevent any future confusion between the two companies. Among the properties it owns several."@en . "Hit Entertainment is a Proudicton for the shows called Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder, Barney and Friends, Pingu, Fireman Sam, Disability Challengers Farnham (TV Series), Adventures Of Challengers, and Postman Pat, All of Them."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HiT was originally formed as Henson International Television (hit!) in 1983 as a branch of the Jim Henson Company in order to coordinate the co-production of Fraggle Rock in London. This subsidiary was later sold and retains none of the original Henson company architecture except for the name. It later re-branded itself as \"HiT Entertainment\". They later purchased Gullane Entertainment in 2003 and have since produced the new series format of Thomas episodes and merchandise. HiT acquired the television rights for Thomas and Friends in 2002, during the airing of the sixth season and the filming of the seventh. On 1 February 2012, it was announced that Mattel purchased HiT Entertainment from Apax Partners for $680 million."@en . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading pre-school entertainment companies, specialising in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment\u2019s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends\u00AE, Mike the Knight\u2122, Fireman Sam\u2122, Bob the Builder, Barney\u2122, Angelina Ballerina\u2122, Pingu\u2122 and Rainbow Magic\u2122."@en . . . . . . "Hit Entertainment"@en . . "Hit entertainment 1983-2022"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is a children's company."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Headquartered in London, HIT currently owns the Thomas and Friends, Barney & Friends, and Bob the Builder franchises, among others. The company also co-founded US cable network PBS Kids Sprout, with NBC/Universal, PBS, and Sesame Workshop. With Mattel's acquisition of HIT, that stake is retained by HIT's former parent company, Apax. In April 2004, the Jim Henson Company signed a five-year agreement that gave HIT distribution rights of a large portion of the company's \"family showcase\" media catalogue. In 2006, HIT partnered with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment for distribution of their DVD titles and in 2008, distribution was taken over by Lionsgate. HIT produced several Henson VHS and DVD releases, including such shows as Fraggle Rock, Animal Jam, Mother Goose Stories and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, several with newly produced bonus features. HIT also co-produced the Henson television series Frances and retains distribution rights."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Headquartered in London, HIT currently owns the Thomas and Friends, Barney & Friends, and Bob the Builder franchises, among others. The company also co-founded US cable network PBS Kids Sprout, with NBC/Universal, PBS, and Sesame Workshop. With Mattel's acquisition of HIT, that stake is retained by HIT's former parent company, Apax. HIT produced several Henson VHS and DVD releases, including such shows as Fraggle Rock, Animal Jam, Mother Goose Stories and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, several with newly produced bonus features."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading pre-school entertainment companies, specialising in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment\u2019s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends\u00AE, Mike the Knight\u2122, Fireman Sam\u2122, Bob the Builder, Barney\u2122, Angelina Ballerina\u2122, Pingu\u2122 and Rainbow Magic\u2122. HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of pre-schoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment\u2019s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., has operations in the UK, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan."@en .