Los Angeles, CA – May 15, 2024 – Shout! Studios announced they have once again acquired worldwide home entertainment, broadcast, and digital distribution rights for Paul Reubens’ groundbreaking TV series “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” In addition to re-acquiring the previously held rights, the studio has also newly acquired AVOD, or advertising-supported video on demand, rights. In bringing the show to AVOD, Shout! Studios are expanding the studio’s distribution of the show in the home entertainment marketplace and a variety of digital entertainment platforms.
Shout! Studios now has extensive distribution rights to all 45 episodes of “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” as well as “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special.” The announcement was made today by Shout! Studios SVP of Marketing and Product Management Michael Ribas.
The AVOD distribution rollout for “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” includes Shout! TV™, the digital entertainment streaming service operated by Shout! Studios that bring timeless and contemporary cult favorites to pop culture fans. The Shout! TV family of channels includes “Shout! TV,” “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Johnny Carson TV,” “TokuSHOUTsu™,” “ALF,” “Farscape,” “Non-Stop ’90s,” and “Wild West TV.” A hallmark of Shout! TV™ channels are programming stunts consisting of original programming, marathons, viewing events, celebrations, sweepstakes, giveaways, and more. “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” marks a very special and welcome addition to the service’s slate of content. Special events will be announced later this year.
“We were thrilled to work with Paul Reubens to release ‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse: The Complete Series’ Blu-ray™ box set and are excited to release the show on additional platforms, honoring his memory and sharing his genius with an even wider audience,’ said Ribas. “‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse’ is an important touchstone of pop culture, and its incomparable offbeat humor continues to find new generations of fans.”
For over 25 years, the enormously popular character Pee-wee Herman and innovative television series “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” created by and starring Paul Reubens, have captured a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers, young and old. Since its initial premiere on CBS in 1986, this multiple Emmy®-winning children’s program became Saturday morning appointment viewing for kids in the ’80s and ’90s and has been a staple in the pop culture zeitgeist ever since. TV Guide named “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” “one of the top ten cult television classics of all time.”
“Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” is an educational, artistic, and entertaining show that teaches kids important life lessons. Featuring innovative production design and brimming with Reubens’ rich original characters and humor, “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” is a magical place that sparks creativity and imagination—and brings joy to children and adults alike. The series features beloved regulars Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne), Reba the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson), Miss Yvonne (Lynne Marie Stewart), Captain Carl (Phil Hartman), The King of Cartoons (William Marshall), Jambi the Genie (John Paragon), Ricardo (Vic Trevino) and Mrs. Rene (Suzanne Kent). And, of course, Chairry, Pterri, Conky, Magic Screen, Clocky, Cool Cat, Dirty Dog, Chicky Baby, Penny, the Dinosaur family, and the rest of the gang!
Over the course of its original five-year run on television, “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” garnered 22 Emmys®, a Parent’s Choice Award, a TV Critics Award, and numerous other honors and accolades.