The popular purple dinosaur Barney is headed back to television after six years off the air. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barney & Friends is set to return in 2017 alongside another popular children’s series, Angelina Ballerina, which ended in 2006.
Created by Sheryl Leach, Barney & Friends began on PBS Kids in 1992 and ran for a total of 268 episodes. It became a pop culture phenomenon, dominating children’s television in the ’90s with its cast of friendly dinosaurs and catchy songs. Reasons for its cancellation remain unclear.
Angelina Ballerina began as series of children’s books about an English mouse who dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. The animated series also aired on PBS Kids and ran for two seasons. In 2009, a CGI version of the show, Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps, debuted and ran for 40 episodes.
The reboot of both shows is being co-produced by Canada’s 9 Story Media Group and HIT Entertainment, the children’s programming division of toy company Mattel.
From Kate Schlomann, HIT Entertainment’s VP Global Brand Marketing, in a press statement:
“The refresh and relaunch of Barney and Angelina Ballerina represents an exciting start to our partnership with 9 Story. Both brands continue to enjoy large fan bases around the world among both pre-schoolers and their parents, who often grew up with the characters themselves.”
What do you think? Should Barney come back? Did you watch as a kid?
Yes! Yes! Yes!! PLEEEEEASE bring back Barney! It’s Nov. 2018 as I read this and it has not been put back on the air yet. My 11 yr old grandson watched Barney with me the first several years of his life, then my now-8 yr old granddaughter got to watch a couple years as a toddler until it was taken off the air, MUCH to my dismay!!! I bought 3 CDs of Barney songs from the programs and the 8-yr old’s younger sister and brother – now ages 5 and 3 – who have never even SEEN Barney on TV… Read more »
Oh Boy Oh Boy this is so exciting I can’t wait for the Reboot Series of Barney & Friends! When is it Due??? I wonder if the set will look anything like Teletubbyland in 2015?
OMG Barney is coming back??!!! I used to have to watch Barney when I babysat for my nieces and nephew and it felt like I was being tortured! Now I have a 4 year old who watches Thomas and I really want him to watch a show that clearly teaches life lessons which Thomas doesn’t! So maybe I will be watching Barney again if it returns.
To me, no reboot!
I love Barney so much. I have since I was a baby. I know most of the songs by memory.
Yes. Plz bring barney back my baby loves it. I think it’s a great show for kids compared to todays shows. I used to watch barney when i was little.
Whyyyyy Don’t Reboot Barney Therefore It should Get Cancelled
Yes Barney and Friends should come back I had to wait a year and 9 months for October to come and Barney helped me cope with bullying
YES! Barney helped so many learn My younger brother used to watch it all the time and now my little one LOVES watching the old episodes so I would love to hear and see new ones
Yes! Barney should come back! Children shows were so much better when I was younger. I used to watch it, and all my siblings did too.
I hope it does come back. My girlfriend and I love Barney and friends.
hi my name is joseph and yes I think that barney should come back why is because I grew up on him as a kid and ive learned a lot of abc and 123 and so many good things from him and he was my favorite dinersour please come back barney I need all the kids need you so I know its been a long time but please please barney come back to tv I love you and miss you friend
yes they should bring barney back there still a lot of kids who love barney and I want to see new shows of barney my 2 year old grandson loves barney