Lyrick Studios

Lyrick Studios, Inc. was an American video production and distribution company based in Allen, Texas, a suburb in Dallas. They were known for producing and distributing shows like Barney and Wishbone, as well as videos and albums from two music artists, Joe Scruggs and The Wiggles. They also had book rights to Humongous Entertainment characters like Putt-Putt, Freddi Fish, and Pajama Sam. They paired with Big Idea for mass market distribution of prints and reprints of VeggieTales home videos, as well as rights to VeggieTales plush toys. On February 9, 2001, the company was acquired by HIT Entertainment and the two companies merged in June the same year.

 History 

 Before Lyrick Studios (1988-93)  
In 1988, The Lyons Group was formed as a division of DLM, Inc., an educational company owned by Richard C. Leach. Lyons began producing and distributing a direct-to-video pilot series titled Barney & the Backyard Gang, which was created by Leach's daughter-in-law, Sheryl Leach. Three years after the home video series debuted, Barney caught the attention of executives at PBS, and the concept was then changed for television as Barney & Friends. The show started broadcasting on the organization's flagship television service on April 6, 1992.

 The Acquisitions and Expansion Era (1994-2000) 

Lyrick Studios was formed in 1997, and became a division of a new company under the name Lyons Partnership. The company logo made its debut on Tuesday, March 11, 1997.

The company made the series Wishbone for PBS in 1995. This series was produced by Big Feats! Entertainment, another division of the company, and was primarily filmed on a studio backlot in Allen, Texas.

In the late 1990s, Lyrick got the distribution (selling) rights for VeggieTales and The Wiggles. They also had book and video game distribution rights for some Humongous Entertainment video game characters, such as Putt-Putt, Freddi Fish, and Pajama Sam.

 The HIT Entertainment Acquisition Era and Aftermath (2001) 
According to Phil Vischer, he chose the company to release the videos since Lyrick Studios' founder and former chairman Richard C. Leach was a committed Christian, and the company let the religious tones on the shows remain intact, unlike other distributors Big Idea had asked beforehand. The company was acquired by HiT Entertainment on February 9, 2001, shortly before Richard C. Leach died.

Distribution
Programs
Television
 Name  First release date  Final release date  Network  NotesWishbone  April 29, 1997  December 7, 1997  PBS  Big Feats! EntertainmentOriginally aired from October 9, 1995 to December 7, 1997.Barney & Friends  May 6, 1997  August 31, 2001  Flagship franchiseOriginally aired from April 6, 1992 to August 31, 2001.Barney & the Backyard Gang  September 16, 1997  July 18, 2000 VHS  Direct-to-video pilot series to Barney & FriendsOriginally released from August 29, 1988 to August 1, 1991.Tall Tales & Legends  June 16, 1998  August 4, 1998  Originally aired from September 25, 1985 to August 4, 1998.Groundling Marsh  June 23, 1998  September 8, 1998  Disney Channel  Originally aired from June 27, 1994 to November 28, 1997.The Wiggles  October 12, 1999 (music)August 1, 2000 (video)  August 31, 2001  Fox FamilyVHS  US home video distributions

Direct-to-Video
 Name  First release date  Last release date  Notes Joe Scruggs  March 11, 1997  He was previously guest starred in the second season of Barney & Friends.Two specials were originally released only on VHS from 1989 to 1992.Co-distributed by Shadow Play.
Religious Series
 Name  First release date  Last release date  Notes The Faithful Revolution: Vatican II  1997  Sole non-children's video release by Lyrick Studios.Francesco's Friendly World   July 1, 1997  September 16, 1997 VeggieTales  December 16, 1997 (promotional release only)March 31, 1998  March 27, 2001  Mass-market distribution

Movies
Theatrical
 Name  Year  NotesBarney's Great Adventure  1998  PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Universal Pictures

Television
 Name  Release date  NotesWishbone's Dog Days of the West  March 13, 1998  Big Feats! EntertainmentMother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme  June 16, 1998  The television movie was originally aired on Disney Channel in May 19, 1990.

Public Service Announcements
 Name  Release date  NotesKids for Character  April 23, 1996  Includes scenes from The Puzzle Place, Barney & Friends, The Magic School Bus, Lamb Chop's Play-Along, Gullah Gullah Island, and BabarKids for Character: Choices Count  October 14, 1997  Includes scenes from Bananas in Pyjamas, The Big Comfy Couch, and Wishbone

Notes

 References 

Category:1997 establishments in Texas
Category:2001 disestablishments in the United States
Category:American entertainment companies
Category:Companies based in Texas
Category:Defunct companies of the United States
Category:2000s disestablishments in Texas