The Jim Henson Company
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The Jim Henson Company, Inc., formerly known as Muppets, Inc., Henson Associates, Inc., and Jim Henson Productions, Inc. (commonly referred to as Henson), is an American entertainment company located in Los Angeles, California. The company is known for its innovations in the field of puppetry, particularly through the creation of Kermit the Frog and the Muppets characters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Brian Henson is chairman and Lisa Henson is CEO. Since 2000, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered at the Jim Henson Company Lot, the historic former Charlie Chaplin Studios, in Hollywood.
The company was established on November 20, 1958 by puppeteers Jim and Jane Henson,<ref>Jones, Jim Henson: The Biography (2013). p. 75.</ref> and is currently independently owned and operated by their children. Henson has produced many successful television series, including The Muppet Show (1976–1981), Fraggle Rock (1983–1987), and Bear in the Big Blue House (1997–2006); as well, the company designed the Muppet characters for Sesame Street (1969–present).
The company has also produced theatrical films, including The Muppet Movie (1979), The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986). Henson also operates Jim Henson's Creature Shop, an animatronics and special effects studio which has created characters and digital effects for both Henson productions and outside projects.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1989, the company entered merger negotiations with The Walt Disney Company, which were canceled following Jim Henson's death in 1990.
Subsequently, control of the company was assumed by Henson's children: Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John, and Heather. In 2000, Henson was sold to German media company EM.TV & Merchandising AG; by the end of that year, however, EM.TV's stock collapsed, and the Henson family re-acquired the company in 2003.
In the interim, EM.TV sold the rights to the Sesame Street Muppets to Sesame Workshop in early January 2001,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> following a December 2000 announcement. Henson sold The Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House properties to Disney in 2004, but retains the remainder of its program library and assets.
Template:As of, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, and Heather Henson maintain control of the company. Their mother, Jane Henson, died in April 2013 and brother, John Henson, died in February 2014.
History
1958–1990
Jim and Jane Henson officially founded Muppets, Inc. on November 20, 1958, three years after Sam and Friends debuted on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. Aside from Sam and Friends, the majority of its work until 1969 was in advertising; appearances on late-night talk shows; and short "meeting films" primarily for enterprise use, produced from 1965 to 1996. In 1968, the company began designing characters and producing short films for the fledgling Sesame Street, which premiered on NET (succeeded by PBS) in November 1969.
One of the company's first characters to appear regularly on television, Rowlf the Dog, originated in commercials for Purina Dog Chow and became a regular character on The Jimmy Dean Show from 1963 to 1966. During this time, the show's host, Jimmy Dean, refused an opportunity to own 40% of the company, assuming that he did not attain that right. Jim Henson also pitched several different projects to the major American television networks, to little avail. Some ideas became unaired pilots, while others were never produced.
In 1976, producer Lew Grade approached Henson to produce a weekly series in Grade's native United Kingdom. This series became The Muppet Show, produced by Associated Television (ATV) for the ITV network. The success of The Muppet Show led to the Muppets becoming an enduring media franchise. Another company controlled by Grade, ITC Entertainment, originally owned The Muppet Show, among other Henson productions, but Henson acquired the rights to these productions in the 1980s. During this time, Henson formed Jim Henson's Creature Shop, a special effects studio partially responsible for the films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth; and television series The StoryTeller, Farscape, and Dinosaurs.
Later in his life, Henson produced Fraggle Rock and The Jim Henson Hour. In August 1989, Henson and Disney CEO Michael Eisner began merger discussions reportedly valued at $150 million, which also included a fifteen-year contract for Henson's personal "creative services."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the deal did not include the rights to the Sesame Street characters, which were owned by Henson, although merchandising revenue was split between Henson and the Children's Television Workshop.
Also during the negotiations, management of the company's Henson International Television distribution unit based in the United Kingdom purchased their unit from the company, leading to the establishment of HIT Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 16, 1990, as negotiations continued, Jim Henson died of toxic shock syndrome. Following Henson's death, neither Disney nor Jim Henson Productions could come to an accord. Negotiations officially ended in December 1990, and Henson remained an independent company.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1991–1999
The Henson family assumed management of the company, and Brian Henson was named president, chairman, and CEO in January 1991.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the following years, Henson entered into deals with several companies, including television rights to the Henson library with Disney Channel and Nickelodeon; a record label with BMG Kidz; and a home media label called Jim Henson Video in partnership with Buena Vista Home Video, which lasted until late 1997.<ref>Stevenson, Richard W. (December 19, 1991). COMPANY NEWS; In Thaw, Henson and Disney Strike Deal on Home Videos. New York Times.</ref> In 1995, Henson entered into an agreement with ABC to produce primetime television series, leading to Muppets Tonight and Aliens in the Family.
Following the releases of The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island by Walt Disney Pictures, Henson formed Jim Henson Pictures with Sony Pictures Entertainment. In 1998, the company signed a deal with Columbia TriStar Home Video to launch Jim Henson Home Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By 1999, Henson held partial interests in two cable channels: The Kermit Channel (broadcasting in Asia) and Odyssey Network (broadcasting in the United States), both jointly owned with Hallmark Entertainment. After Hallmark (through Crown Media Holdings) assumed full ownership of these networks, the Kermit Channel was discontinued and Odyssey was renamed the Hallmark Channel.
2000–2004
In 2000, the Henson family sold the company to the German media company EM.TV & Merchandising AG, for $680 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref> Template:Cite news</ref> That summer, EM.TV sold Henson's stakes in the Odyssey and Kermit cable channels in exchange for an 8.2% stake in Hallmark-controlled Crown Media Holdings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By the end of 2000, after EM.TV subsequently experienced major financial problems, EM.TV sold the company's ownership of the Sesame Street Muppets and Henson's small interest in the Noggin television network to Sesame Workshop,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and by early 2001, Henson itself was marked for sale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Disney,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Viacom,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> HIT Entertainment,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> AOL Time Warner,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Haim Saban,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Classic Media,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as Henson management, among others, were all parties reportedly interested in acquiring the company.
In December 2002, a deal was announced in which EM.TV would sell a 49.9% stake in Henson to an investment group led by Dean Valentine, a former executive at Disney and UPN.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, in March 2003, the deal was canceled, citing financial issues on Valentine's part.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2003, EM.TV was reportedly nearing an agreement to sell Henson to a consortium between Classic Media and Sesame Workshop (with financing from Sony Pictures Entertainment),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> until the Henson family re-acquired the company for a closing price of $84 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In February 2004, Henson sold the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House to Disney,<ref name="NYT Muppets">Template:Cite news</ref> who subsequently formed The Muppets Studio (known at that time as The Muppets Holding Company). The term "Muppet", likewise, became a legal trademark of Disney; Sesame Workshop retained permission to use the term for its Sesame Street characters under a perpetuity license from Disney.
2004–present
On April 1, 2004, Henson and HIT Entertainment agreed to a five-year global distribution and production deal which included distribution of 440 hours of the company's remaining library including Fraggle Rock,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Hoobs and Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories. In addition, the agreement also included the production of new properties, including Frances, in which both companies co-produced and also both co-own the copyright to the series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After that deal expired in April 2009,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Henson entered into similar agreements with Lionsgate Home Entertainment on August 10, 2009<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and later with Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment three years later on October 25, 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As well, the company became involved with computer-animated projects, including the direct-to-video Unstable Fables series; Sid the Science Kid; Dinosaur Train; and Splash and Bubbles, as well as the puppet series Pajanimals.
Henson later formed Henson Alternative, which specializes in adult content, including the live shows known alternatively as Puppet Improv, Puppet Up!,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Stuffed and Unstrung. In recent years, the Fraggle Rock characters have made several appearances, usually at special events. The characters appeared with Ben Folds Five in the music video for "Do It Anyway";<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 2013, Gobo and Red Fraggle hosted a Fraggle Rock marathon on the Hub Network.
In 2019, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a prequel to The Dark Crystal, premiered on Netflix.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, a reboot of Fraggle Rock, premiered on Apple TV+.
On August 10, 2022, the company signed a worldwide distribution agreement with Shout! Factory which would allow Shout! to distribute thirteen series and specials from the Jim Henson catalog on home entertainment and streaming platforms across all territories.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A similar worldwide distribution agreement went into effect on January 5, 2024, for streaming, video on demand, broadcast, digital download, packaged media and certain non-theatrical rights for the films Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, as well as behind the scenes specials Inside the Labyrinth and The World of the Dark Crystal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On June 20, 2024, the company announced they were planning to sell the Jim Henson Company Lot off La Brea Avenue in Hollywood, which it purchased in 1999, as “part of a much longer-term strategy to have The Jim Henson Company and our renowned Burbank-based Jim Henson’s Creature Shop under one roof, which is not feasible in Hollywood due to the space the Shop requires.”<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2024, film producer McG and musician John Mayer bought the lot for $40 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On February 25, 2025, the company appointed DeAPlaneta Entertainment as its distributor and licensor for several Henson properties such as Fraggle Rock, Dinosaur Train, Dot. and Pajanimals in European territories.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Staff
Henson family
- Jim Henson (1936–1990) – Founder of The Jim Henson Company.
- Jane Henson (1934–2013) – Co-founder of The Jim Henson Company.
- Brian Henson – Chairman of The Jim Henson Company.
- Lisa Henson – CEO of The Jim Henson Company.
- Cheryl Henson – Board of Directors member, President of the Jim Henson Foundation. Formerly a liaison to Sesame Workshop from 1992 to 2000.
- John Henson (1965–2014) – Board of Directors member.
- Heather Henson – Board of Directors member.
Leadership
- Peter Schube – President and COO of The Jim Henson Company.
- Lori Don – Executive Vice President and CFO of The Jim Henson Company.
- Richard Goldsmith – Executive Vice President, Global Distribution, and International Consumer Projects.
- Joe Henderson – Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration.
- Stephanie Schroeder – Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Legal.
- Halle Stanford – Executive Vice President of Children's Entertainment.
- Nicole Goldman – Senior Vice President, Marketing and Publicity.
- Anthony Wood - Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
- Karen Lee Arbeeny – Vice President, Business Operations, Global Distribution.
- Faryal Ganjehei – Vice President and Studio Operations at the Henson Recording Studio.
- Anna Jordan Douglass – Vice President, Digital Development & Interactive Media.
- Howard Sharp – Vice President of Administration.
- Peter Brooke – Creative Supervisor at Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
- Jerry Houle - Vice President of Marketing 1977–1984
- Bryan O'Connell - Vice President, Children's Television.
Other staff members
Filmography
Films
Television
Template:Infobox company From 1969 to 2000, Henson was contracted to design and create Muppet characters for Sesame Street. With the exception of occasional appearances in the Muppets franchise, the characters were used exclusively for Sesame Street, but Henson legally owned these characters prior to their acquisition by Sesame Workshop. The only exception was Kermit the Frog, who was featured in other projects prior to Sesame Street. Sesame Workshop retains the rights to use any Sesame Street footage featuring the character.
The sale ended any direct affiliation between The Muppets and Sesame Street, although the series retains use of the term "Muppet" under license from Disney. Many of the puppeteers continue to perform with both The Muppets and Sesame Street franchises. While no longer owning the Sesame Street characters, Henson continues to design them.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This list excludes pre-2001 Sesame Street co-productions outside the United States.
TV series
As a contributor
- The Tonight Show (1955–61)
- The Jimmy Dean Show (1963–66)
- Sesame Street (1969–present)Template:Efn
- Saturday Night Live (Season 1)
- "The Land of Gorch" segments (1975–76)
- The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange (2012–14)
TV specials
- Hey, Cinderella! (1969)
- The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970)
- The Frog Prince (1971)
- The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972)
- Out to Lunch (1974)
- The Muppets Valentine Show (1974)
- The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975)
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)Template:Efn
- The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979)
- John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)Template:Efn
- The Muppets Go to the Movies (1981)
- Of Muppets and Men (1981)
- The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (1982)
- Rocky Mountain Holiday (1983)Template:Efn
- The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)
- The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986)
- The Christmas Toy (1986)Template:Efn
- A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)Template:Efn
- Sesame Street... 20 Years & Still Counting (1989)
- The Muppets at Walt Disney World (1990)
- The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
- Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995)
Direct-to-video
- Jim Henson Play-Along Video (1988)Template:Efn
- Hey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear: A Comedy Show Starring Fozzie Bear and You
- Mother Goose Stories: Miss Muffet, Songs of Sixpence, Little Boy Blue (1987–1990)
- Neat Stuff... To Know and Do
- Peek-A-Boo, A Big Surprise for Little People<ref name=mcv>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Sing-Along, Dance-Along, Do-Along: Rowlf teaches kids about music
- Wow, You're a Cartoonist!
- Muppet Sing Alongs
- Billy Bunny's Animal Songs (1993)<ref>Zad, Martie. "Muppet Group Offers Eight New Songs." The Washington Post. (November 25, 2013).</ref>
- It's Not Easy Being Green (1994)
- Muppet Treasure Island Sing Along (1996)
- Things That Fly (1996)<ref>Maes, Nancy. (March 7, 1996) Tish Hinojosa's Music Bridges Two Cultures. Chicago Tribune. Accessed on November 26, 2013.</ref>
- Muppet Classic Theater (1994)Template:Efn
- Jim Henson's Preschool Collection (1995)Template:Efn
- Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty
- Mother Goose Stories: Mary Had a Little Lamb
- Muppets on Wheels
- Yes, I Can Be a Friend
- Yes, I Can Learn
- Yes, I Can Help<ref>Martie Zad. (July 2, 1995) "Muppets, Kids Join in Series For Preschoolers." The Washington Post. 1995.</ref>
- Kermit's Swamp Years (2002)
Web content
- The Skrumps (2007)
- The Sam Plenty Cavalcade of Action Show Plus Singing! (2008)
Henson Alternative
The following list contains projects of The Jim Henson Company under its Henson Alternative banner.
Movies
| Title | Release date | Production partners | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Happytime Murders<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | Template:Dts | Template:Plainlist | STX Entertainment |
Television series
The first eight series are produced under its Henson Alternative banner exclusively in North America before premiering worldwide in 2015.
- Tinseltown (2007)
- Alt/Reality (2010–2011)
- Simian Undercover Detective Squad (2012)
- Late Night Buffet with Augie and Del (2006)
- Del's Vegas Comedy Binge (2007)
- Late Night Liars (2010)
- Marvin E. Quasniki for President (2011–12)
- Neil's Puppet Dreams (2012–13)
- Ketchup with the Hot Dogs (2013–14)
- Good Morning Today (2013–14)
- No, You Shut Up! (2013–2016)
- The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (2018)
- The Miskreants (2019-2020)
Stage shows
- Puppet Up! - Uncensored (2005–present)
- Stuffed and Unstrung (2010–2013)
Other productions
- The Muppet segments of the Nintendo Digital Event, shown during E3 (2015).
- Star Fox Zero commercial (2016).
See also
Notes
References
External links
Template:The Jim Henson Company Template:Sesame Street Template:Muppet films Template:Film Studio
- Pages with broken file links
- The Jim Henson Company
- Entertainment companies based in California
- Companies based in Los Angeles
- Entertainment companies established in 1958
- 1958 establishments in California
- The Muppets
- American companies established in 1958
- Television production companies of the United States
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