HIT Entertainment Ltd. (styled "HiT") is a British—American entertainment company owned by Mattel and originally established in 1983 from Henson International Television (formerly styled "hit!"). It was founded as the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions. HIT owns and distributes children's television such as shows like Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina, and Mike the Knight. They also did distribution for The Wiggles videos until video distribution moved to Warner Home Video in late 2007. Their more recent shows contain projects such as a new series of Bob the Builder, and has won an Emmy International Kids Award for its show Mike the Knight.

History

1983–89

In 1983, the Jim Henson Television company founded Henson International Television as a distribution company for their children's television.

1989–2005

Jim Henson Productions started negotiations with The Walt Disney Company regarding a possible purchase of the company in the late 1980s. Because of these negotiations, Henson International Television head Peter Orton led a management buyout of the Henson International Television division from Henson in 1989, forming a new company named HiT Entertainment.