Teletubbies First Official Website Launches

Posted on April 7, 1998

PBS Online welcomes four new friends to its PBS Kids neighborhood today with the launch of the Teletubbies Website. Teletubbies, a groundbreaking new children's television series designed to encourage curiosity and stimulate imagination, features Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po -- four technological babies who live in their own world of childhood fantasy, Teletubbyland. The first television series created specifically for children from one year old, Teletubbies begins airing today on PBS's Ready to Learn Service, a lineup of children's programs and community outreach services.

"We're especially excited about the Teletubbies Web site because the television series is designed to help young children become comfortable with technology," said Alice Cahn, PBS director of children's programming. "Through the characters, games, activities and set design of Teletubbies, children gain familiarity and comfort with machines and come to delight in how they work. The website continues and furthers this adventure with games and activities young children and the adults who care for them can create and enjoy together."

The website engages children in discovery and play and helps them master a variety of skills. In one game they can "animate" an animal parade by correctly picking each animal's matching partner. In another area, young Web surfers can choreograph Tap Dancing Teddy by clicking on a series of ten images of Teddy completing various movements. Website visitors will be able to create many different sequences, save them, and then replay the entire "performance."

The site will also feature significant educational and background material for parents and caregivers, including information about the show's many child development goals. In addition, it will host complete episode descriptions and information about the four Teletubbies and other characters.