Ha! You guys are astute. Several of you have already pointed out that, "Gee, a teeny TV network sounds fine and all, but the future is really all about the internet. Why isn't he doing something online?" And you're absolutely right. TV programming is really just data, just like music is really just data. And the easiest way to deliver data throughout the world is, of course, through the internet. And that's exactly what we're talking about here.We've talked about the problems – a) that we're failing to teach our kids the Christian faith and what it really means to live the Gospel in front of a watching world, and b) that kids are consuming more media than ever before while the production of Christians kids media is actually in decline. We've talked about the need for some sort of platform for Christian kids media – a "place" that can build teaching relationships with kids on a daily basis while helping the entire Christian creative community develop and launch new content; something with a two-fold ministry – first, to families everywhere as a trusted teacher, second, to the Christian creative community as an enabler, commissioner, buyer, ally.What we're launching is a web-delivered Christian kids "mini-network" – a place to watch shows, make new friends, play games and learn lessons. A place that could help launch the next wave of Christian kids programming, as well as Christian storytellers, musicians and artists. A place called JellyTelly.
Cute, isn't it? That's our mascot there in the middle there. We're going to have lots of fun with him. JellyTelly will be filled with original shows ("mini-shows" to go on a "mini-network"), original music, plus games and activities for kids. It will be highly educational and highly entertaining. Like Sesame Street meets the Muppet Show meets… hmm… Club Penguin meets Nickelodeon meets… you get the idea. It will start small, but it will have the ability to grow in all sorts of interesting directions. If kids like one of our mini-shows, we can turn it into an original DVD release or even a feature film. JellyTelly could end up launching kids music acts like Hannah Montana as well as great kids books and other fun stuff. JellyTelly could even grow into its own 24/7 cable network someday – assuming such a thing still exists.The media world is undergoing massive upheaval, which is scaring the big media companies to death while creating some very interesting opportunities for new ideas to flourish and new brands to get their start. There really hasn't been a time like this since the first roll-out of cable television in the late seventies – a period that saw the launch of now epic brands like ESPN, CNN and Nickelodeon. We think the world could use a new home for Christian kids media – a new brand. The time to launch it is right about now.
So… what will the shows be like? When will it launch? How can you help?
I'll get into all of that next. It's time for some fun…
Whee! Cat’s outa the bag…. 😀
Can’t wait, Phil. Jelly on!
Excellent, Mr. V. Absolutely excellent. 🙂
This is really cool. Love the logo.
Sounds very, very exciting.
Eeeyayhee!!
I hope you blog again soon, cause I can tell you I won’t be sleeping until you do! This sounds so great!
I’m super pumped!
8]
Finally! Can’t wait to hear more!!
Love the name! Love the logo! Love the concept! Is there no end to your creativity?? I have 4 sons who will be eager to be one of the first to try out your new mini-network! Thank you in advance for all that your doing for our kids. God Bless you!
I am psyched- this is great! Is it online? I’m not in the States so I thought, oh on, not another great American thing I’m missing out on… but if it’s online….. then this is a global project, isn’t it! Makes it all the more exciting.
WIll you be showing veggie tales on JellyTelly?
Will it be like youtube/godtube?
How about an online world like ToonTown … that would be fun. And maybe we could meet Larry in “real” life. 🙂
Oh my GOSH. JellyTelly. Could the logo get any cuter than that? I think not. It’s adorable!
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Can The Muppet Show really meet Sesame Street…?
I’m really excited about this, especially the idea of having an avenue to get some stuff out there in the big world. The exact medium is something I’m really looking forward to hearing about – and how exactly does one market this? Youtube for kids?
Have you seen that show K’Blam! that used to air on Nickelodeon? That’s what it reminds me of, that was the show that gave Angela Anaconda its leg-up into the world…
weeeeeetttt!swwwwweeeeeetttt! That means us Canadians DO get it 🙂 !!!!! Jelly On EH!
And here I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to watch this thing until several years after its birth because I don’t live right next to Wheaton. 😛 Great work, Phil!
Yeeeeeesss! I will present an idea to Phil for the TV. I’ve been working on a cartoon that promotes Christian values…
It’s funny, and shows the consequences of doing something wrong (which are extremely exaggerated) and the blessings from God you get from doing something right. (Also put to the extreme, but hey, God works in mysterious ways)
JellyTelly rules! VeggieTales HAS to be on it!
Haha, the logo reminded me of Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.
I love the logo Phil! Can’t wait to read more details of what you have planned.
YAY! I always have a kinda “empty” feeling for my kiddos when they play on Webkinz or Club Penguin for awhile… okay, we’re having fun, sort of learning stuff, but…I don’t know- something’s missing.
Well, hooray for JellyTelly! We will enjoy “geeking out” on it, for sure. And what a great thing to be able to direct kids in my neighborhood to. Ooooooh, really looking forward to it!
We’re certainly in the convergence of the various types of digital media. Even my cable TV isn’t really TV anymore, I never watch live television. I record a few shows I like, then play them back at my own time through the DVR. Pretty soon, I’m sure they’ll have it so you just select the shows you want that week and it will download the thing to the DVR without it having to actually sit there and record it. Well, at least for non-live broadcsts like the news and sports.
Still, we have that, and then we have things like HomestarRunner.com which is essentially a kids / young adult cartoon show & entertainment site, which also lets you buy parts of the website on DVD as well, further blurring the line between TV cartoons, web toons, and traditional disc media. I think it’s the perfect venue. Sort of a Homestar Runner meets GodTube.com type deal!
this is good!!!! i will be interacting with this site when it is up! whats the little jellyfishes name??
I don’t think Veggietales will be on it because it is owned by Entertainment Rights, or something…all this bankruptcy thing confuses me.
Will we be able to ‘pitch’ ideas?
Ha Brian, I thought the same thing! It’s an orange Mike 🙂
Fantastic. I can’t wait to see more. I am a Christ following puppeteer who is working on building some puppets for a show I want to put on youtube to reach kids with the exciting news of the Gospel- how God can change their hearts.
How about adding general educational material (math, reading, etc.)? That would be a good hook, and once they’re there, they will look at the religious contents too.
This is a great idea. My four-year-old loves to spend time online at Playhouse Disney or Noggin playing all the games they have there for their TV shows. I can totally see her getting into JellyTelly. This is a great idea, Phil. I can’t wait to see it take flight.
woo yeh, awesome, thats just totally rocking, well yeh im excited…
I can’t wait it is what I’ve been looking for as a parent and a Children’s Pastor!
I am quite excited!
If Phil Vischer and his buds are the creative individuals that we believe they are, they’ll have plenty more good ideas rolling around besides Veggie-Tales. JellyTelly, in my mind, would be better off without them (not that Veggie-Tales are bad, just that they’d steal the show).
Oh, and speaking as someone who’s an employee of Club Penguin, I certainly hope that JellyTelly can capture the same level of attention that we have right now.
I am beyond excited and cannot WAIT to tune in and see all of the great shows!!!! I have already sent a bunch of people the links to your blog so they can be prepared!!! WAAHHOOO!!!
I would love to see a “mini-show” that’s something like the old TGIF programs I watched when I was a kid, but new-and-improved. A show about a whole family (with competent parents!) that the whole family can watch together.
You’ve got me super interested. Just one teeny li’l question. How do you plan to launch it? I mean, don’t you need a platform to launch the platform? Anyway, just like Danielle I’m planning to email this link to my friends. 🙂 I’m praying.
Dear Phil,
I am a long time supporter of VT. I have been thinking about the Pirates movie and why it didn’t do as well as you had hoped. I offer this as a suggestion. Perhaps, the next movie you and Big Idea collaborate on should be done under a psuedonym. My point is, I think your work has been pigeon-holed as “Christian”. Instead of the story being judged on its merits as a story (and allowed to convey the Truth) it is judged on whether it is “Christian” enough for believers or “non-Christian” enough for unbelievers. That in my opinion, is a terrible tradgedy. Unbelievers (whom I believe, you are trying to reach) have made a judgement about your work before they’ve even given it a chance. If VT/Bid Idea became less visible perhaps the truths you and Big Idea are trying to plant will have a chance to be seen/heard and then grow. C.S. Lewis said he did not write “Christian” stories, but wrote stories as a Christian. I think there is wisdom in that approach. Once our preconceptions and misconceptions are disarmed we are much more open to receiving the Truth. Just some food for thought – John 3:30. I appreciate the work you are doing for the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus Christ!
This is so exciting! The idea is great, and the name/logo is very cute. I can hardly wait to know when it’s launching! It’d be great to have something like this for teens, too.
wwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
hulu.comIn other good news, HULU has Jonah as one of its few movies available online for free!!!!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/13379/jonah-a-veggietales-movie
So great! I can’t wait to see how it plays out and how we can all be involved w/ creating content.
It’s also great to see so many others excited about the idea!
I have no real new or profound insights beyond what’s already been said by all the fine people here. I just want to go on record as having said: “I agree.”
And yes, that’s quite a fine cartoon jellyfish you’ve got there. I’ve already got a notion of what his voice sounds like. It’ll be fun to see if I’m right!
Really looking forward to seeing JellyTelly take shape!
Well, my two are chomping at the bit to sign up – they’ve been raised on Veggie Tales and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Good on ya Phil!
Yay Phil! The icon is so cute! It does look like the Mike guy from Monster’s Inc. This is Emily, the person whos doing her report on you, by the way. My brother and I can’t wait! JellyTelly just has flow- unlike some names for internet or even tv networks.
Whenever a new episode of Kim Possible becomes available, I watch it on the Disney website. And my husband and I watch Fox News online. That’s all the the online TV we see around here.
It’ll be nice to add Jelly Telly to our “ok to watch” list.
Once this thing gets going, I’d be happy to spread the word. We don’t have children yet, but most of our friends do!
Oh! And, just curious… Does the Jelly Telly mascot remind anyone else of Billy Crystal’s character from “Monster’s Inc.”?
Tiffany, see post # 14 and 20 =)
I had a feeling your recent posts were leading up to something like this. 🙂
The internet is becoming a huge distribution channel these days and even established companies are taking notice of it. I honestly think you’re heading in the right direction with this. “Internet television” is likely going to be the next big thing, so to speak, and I think you’re getting things underway at just the right time to be relevant to today’s world.
Phil, Even if you do get this, please don’t forget to keep putting them on Dvd. Some of us can’t or don’t want Cable.
Hello, I am really interested to see how this turns out, just wanted to point out that the link to logo doesn’t seem to work. Anyway, can’t wait for the next blog/post for more info. God bless.
Eeep! The logo is 404ing here…
Phil – someone just gave us your book and my husband and i were ministered to greatly by it! we are in the middle of the end of our dream and your book has brought us a lot of healing. i could for the first time see my husband written down on paper and it explained so much of what has happened in our own lives. most of the book gave me goosebumps because our story is so similar to yours. we are learning all that you wrote down in lessons. thank you for sharing your story. God used it in our lives and it gives us hope that we can make it to the end – even though there are days we feel stuck here forever. thank you!
Whoa! Cool new look for this site 🙂 Fun surprise, today.
Ah, I see!
Brian and Bethany saw the Mike Wazowski resemblance too! (Thanks, Bethany.)
Man this is exciting! The issues you bring up and the solutions God gives you minister to me. I can’t wait to see what God does.
This is good news! Thanks for sharing!
Dear Phil Vischer, Jelly Telly sounds like a really cool idea. I can’t wait til you open it on the Internet. When will you? It sounds like something that I would want to go on when I have time to go on the computer. I like the idea of getting things that kids enjoy into a Jesus-related entertainment system.
By the way, I’m the one who drove out to your studio over the summer from Pennsylvania (!) to participate in the “kids-say-the-darndest-thing-Christian-style” project. I’m 9 years old now and I hardly EVER watch TV, but I’m on the computer pretty much…can’t wait for Jelly Telly!!!
Sincerely, Graham
Graham Burrell, you are 9 years old and using “Jesus-related entertainment system” in your vocabulary?
I’m impressed!
Love the logo it is very cute! Can’t wait!
Hey what a great idea im lovein it and that logo really sticks its great.Its great to take advantage of the online market and thee audiences it brings together sweet idea lookin forward to it.
Hi Phil! I make animated short films on my spare time when my day job permits. My heroes in animation are Walt Disney, Ray Harryhausen, John Lasseter, Hayao Miyazaki, and YOU! I’ve always wanted to work with you ever since I discovered Veggie Tales. Maybe with Jelly Telly I’ll finally get a chance. I totally believe in your vision for Christians and the rest of the world. Good Luck and God Bless 🙂
I LOVE THE LOGO! I really want to help with this. (and it’s not because of the logo)
Great idea! My 2 kids have most VT videos, and now are into Webkinz.
I’m not so hot on the logo, though. Are those big teeth inside the jelly? Looks a bit scary to me. I like the idea of a jellyfish, both for the “spiritual” reasons, and because it is not an over-used character.
great news. so what kind of shows will there be and are you going to consider submissions? http://www.slugandant.com/sapromo.html
Wow, looks good. The first question that pops into mind is “How can I create and pitch and mini-show to you, and get it on Jelly-Telly.” The second question is “Are you going to have a ‘Jelly-at-Night’ sort of version for the older crowd?” Can’t Wait.
PS I think that claiming the “world’s smallest network” is kind of hyperbole…
Excellent news, i am really excited about this awesome news Phil. God bless.
Thank you for reinforcing a message that God has been speaking to me lately…that you have to be willing to just do small things if He is ever going to use you to do big things. I really got a lot out of reading your blog today…thank you.
And as a parent of a 1-year-old with another on the way, I can’t wait until the content is downloadable. My husband is building our Media PC as we speak, so we won’t be watching “TV” as we know it hardly at all anymore. We’ll be downloading content and keeping on our hard drive, commercial-free. I’m looking forward to having quality children’s media for our kiddos included! 🙂
cool. Thanks for sharing.