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! I grew up with barney and now I have a video collection my babies love to watch! So cant wait!
Barney is comparable to Michael Jackson…no matter how old..they never really get old..I was very upset that I couldn’t find Barney party stuff or even a big doll my daughter will only sit down for barney ..but Elmo was up there wth..I think Barney is nothing but positivity what’s wrong with love in the world?
And how about looking for some barney slippers …forget about it..can’t wait for return
Will these reboots be on PBS Kids?
**** no
I have all of Barney’s episode from the very first backyard gang. I love Barney I am so happy.
no this need to be a rumor
I’m glad that Barney & Friends is coming back on TV I’ve loved Barney since 1992
My news: I totally think that Barney has to be back on PBS on television. Plus, when I was little I always owned a collection of Barney videos as I grew. Let’s be real: Barney is good people: a very good influence on sharing and learning and for public television. Yes, I want Barney back on TV. Please do a reboot!
Time to revive the anti-Barney humor. I’ll be making a new list of ways to kill the purple dinosaur.
My opinion, BARNEY MUST BE EXTINCT! >:(
Im so excited for barney coming back on air. thank you for bringing it back that is awsome. i love barney and all the cast.
Barney is coming back on the air on T.V and i watched the episodes from Season 3 and i was born in 1995 20 years ago when Barney had it’s third season and i loved Barney, the show and the brand new cast of kids is coming back on the air on T.V and thank you for bringing Barney back.
I watched it when I was a kid back in 1992. I was born in 1991 and loved Barney. The show show should come for new generations of kids. The lessons barney teaches are good for preschoolers. That’s cool Barney coming back!
I think Barney & friends should come back on the air on TV. I absolutely love the show and I’m glad their putting it back. I can’t wait to see it. Thank you!
I think they should also put Barney and the backyard gang back on air to
I really think that would be awesome if they did a Barney and the BYG and Barney and friends Marathon like they did in 1989
Barney should absolutely come back to TV. His appeal to preschoolers as a provider of unconditional comfort and warmth, while providing sound educational messages, is a unique one that has not been matched by other characters.
Yes Barney Should absolutely come back to TV.