Hi-5

**Hi-5** is an Australian children's live-action educational preschool television series, created by **Helena Harris** and **Posie Graeme-Evans**. The series was originally produced by **Kids Like Us** and later **Southern Star**. It premiered on April 12, 1999 on the **Nine Network** and ended on December 16, 2011. The program is known for its educational content, and for the cast of the program, who became a recognized musical group for children outside of the series, known collectively as **Hi-5**. It has generated discussion about what is considered appropriate television for children.

The series is designed for a pre-school audience, featuring five performers who educate and entertain through play, movement and music, which is an integral part of the series. The segments of the show are based on an educational model. The original cast was composed of **Kellie Crawford**, **Kathleen de Leon Jones**, **Nathan Foley**, **Tim Harding** and **Charli Robinson**. By the end of 2008, this line-up had been completely phased out and replaced with a new group of performers. **Hi-5** received three **Logie Television Awards** for **Most Outstanding Children's Program**.

**Harris** and **Graeme-Evans** ended their involvement with the series in 2008 when the program was sold to **Southern Star** and the **Nine Network**. The final episode of **Hi-5** aired on December 16, 2011 as a result of the **Nine Network** selling the property in 2012. A spin-off series, **Hi-5** **House**, aired on **Nick Jr. Australia** from 2013 to 2016, produced with no involvement from **Nine**. The network renewed its partnership with the brand in October 2016 and produced a revived series with a new cast, which aired on **9Go!** in 2017.

## Format

**Hi-5** is a variety-style series for preschoolers which features music as an integral part of its premise. Aimed at children aged between two and eight, the series incorporates educational trends with a pop music appeal, using song and movement to capture the attention of children. The series employs central themes of exploration and discovery, providing children with an opportunity for a "**sensitive exploration of their world**". **Hi-5** encourages children to "**take a joyous and active part in life**", with active participation encouraged. The program features five presenters who are collectively known as **Hi-5**, and perform songs as a group as well as presenting individual segments. All segments are integrated with music as a tool to highlight the key concepts of each episode.

The **Shapes In Space** segment focuses on visual and spatial awareness, with the presenter exploring shapes, colour and everyday materials such as boxes and playdough. Musicality is explored through **Making Music**, with an emphasis on pitch, rhythm, beat, melody, and using a variety of real and pretend instruments. The presenter of **Body Move** encourages children to participate in movement and dance, developing physical coordination and motor development. Linguistics and aural skills are at the centre of the **Word Play** segment, featuring a puppet named **Chatterbox** who assists in the exploration of language through stories and rhymes. **Puzzles And Patterns** has a focus on logical thinking and mathematics, with a puppet named **Jup Jup** used as a tool for the presenter to complete puzzles or solve problems.

The final segment in which the cast comes together is entitled **Sharing Stories**, where a story is told that explores interpersonal relationships and emotions. The episodes are bookended with a **Song Of The Week**; a pop-style feature song which corresponds with the weekly theme and sets an educational topic for the week's episodes.

The 2017 revived series featured new puppet characters, the **Jupsters**, who were introduced as the family of previously established character **Jup Jup**. The revival also retained a segment introduced in **Hi-5 House**, entitled **The Chatterbox**. This segment focuses on the discovery of language through simple words and phrases, and features the puppet **Chatterbox**, who teaches a toy robot named **Tinka** (**Ellen Wright-Folan**) how to speak.

## Production

**Hi-5** was created in 1998 by television producer **Helena Harris**, who had worked on **Bananas In Pajamas**. She and co-producer **Posie Graeme-Evans** developed the series as preschool entertainment. The name of the series was derived from the **high five gesture.**

**Harris** has stated that her inspiration for **Hi-5** came from partly living in England, where she realized that children are the same around the world, and expected the show would appeal universally, with accessible themes such as family and animals. Harris strove to incorporate items of current interest to engage with the children and keep them interested in the show. The creators viewed the need for "**life-affirming**" television for rapidly maturing preschoolers, and found that most children learned from shows which incorporated movement and song. The creators believed preschoolers have matured beyond programs such as **Here's Humphrey**.

The series was pitched to the **Nine Network** through **Harris** And **Graeme-Evans**' joint independent production company, **Kids Like Us**. It was picked up by the network within days of being pitched, and officially ordered after two weeks. Harris stated that the network's enthusiasm for the show emanated from the executives' young children. A pilot was filmed in mid-1998, which was shown to a test audience. No changes were made to the format after the test. After being commissioned, the first full series began production in October, and had concluded by December. The **Nine Network** initially signed a co-venture with **Kids Like Us** to produce two 45-episode series of the show and the first went to air on **Nine** on April 12, 1999. **Hi-5** was granted a P classification, deeming it specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of preschoolers and allowing it to be broadcast on the **Nine Network** with a 30-minute runtime commercial-free. The first series was produced for US$20,000 to US$30,000 for each episode. A fashion line for children, based on the costuming featured on the program, was released alongside the premiere of the show. **Graeme-Evans** only served as a co-producer for the first two seasons.

**Development**

**Hi-5** received a total of three **Logie Television Awards**, two for **Most Outstanding Children's Program** in 2000 and 2001, as well as one for **Most Outstanding Children's Preschool Program** in 2004. In 2005, it was stated that one episode would cost an estimated $50,000 to produce, and that a **feature film** was in early development. The 300th episode of Hi-5 was celebrated in 2005. Harris stated that by 2007, "**Hi-5** **was still evolving and maintaining its relevance and freshness**". **Nine** reportedly signed a two-year deal with the producers in 2007. The Hi-5 brand was purchased by the **Nine Network**, along with production company **Southern Star**, in March 2008, from previous owners **Harris** and **Graeme-Evans**. **Robinson** recalled that she had tried to depart from the program after eight years but producers convinced her stay, and that the following years working on the show were her favorite.

Nine committed to five new series of **Hi-5** in 2009 with a new generation cast, to be aired until 2013. However, only three of these planned series were produced. The eleventh series debuted on August 31, 2009. Brand directors **Martin Hersov** and **Cathy Payne** said "**we're very excited to be launching the next phase of Hi-5**". Of the cast change, executive producer **Noel Price** stated that Hi-5 was designed so that its popularity would not solely rely on the appeal of cast members as individuals. The 500th episode of Hi-5 was celebrated in 2010 during the twelfth season. By this series, **Price** stated the producers aimed to recreate the success of the earlier episodes by "**capturing that earlier innocence**". The thirteenth and final series of the original **Hi-5** premiered on October 2011, in which the program's musical history was recognized by reintroducing previous songs to a new generation of fans.

**Cancellation**

In June 2012, the **Nine Network** announced that the **Hi-5** brand has been sold in its entirety to Asian equity group, **Asiasons**, following Nine's reported financial difficulties. **Hi-5** would no longer be produced by Nine and therefore the thirteenth season became the last. A spin-off series entitled **Hi-5 House** was created under new management to continue the **Hi-5** concept. The new series was produced independently from **Nine** and aired on **Nick Jr.** from 2013-2016.

**Revival**

The **Nine Network** renewed its partnership with the **Hi-5** franchise in October 2016 and announced its plans to revive **Hi-5** **with a new cast** in 2017. Executive producer **Julie Greene** stated "**we're really excited to be working with Nine to develop a reinvigorated Hi-5 show**". The revival would feature a new cast and set, but retain the original team of producers and writers. CEO of **Nine Entertainment**, **Hugh Marks**, revealed his role in the program's reintroduction, citing his belief that the series would still be relevant in an updated climate, while expecting significantly lower viewership. After auditions were held in November 2016, the new cast was revealed in December. The series began production in January 2017 and premiered on Nine's multichannel, **9Go!**, on May 15. A second series of the revival was planned for 2018, before filming was halted and the Australian production office was closed.

## Educational Theory

**Hi-5** was designed by educational experts to appeal to contemporary, "**media-literate**" children by relating to their world. The series has been described as "**for the kids of today**". The cast are presented as older siblings to the children, educating the audience in a fun and entertaining way, through "**play based learning**", rather than appearing as adults who are teaching them. The educational theories of the series are disguised with music and entertainment, with the multiple layers of the show catering for a wide range of ages in the audience, while being primarily aimed at those aged 2–8. The real-life messages of the show are reinforced in an entertaining way.

Harris and Graeme-Evans based the series around an underlying educational structure, primarily using **Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences**. It is recognized that each child learns in a different way, and each cast member has a specific segment within the show which targets a different aspect of learning, ranging from logical-mathematical thinking to a focus on linguistic skills, to cater to a child's individual learning approach. Harris observed that most viewers had a favourite cast member, believing that children generally "**respond more favourably to the presenter who models the learning style they prefer**". The use of multiple segments is also designed to hold the attention span of young children. The skills of pre-numeracy and pre-literacy are a focus of the educational theory, to prepare children for learning at school, while also encouraging self-confidence and expression. According to the show's website, **Hi-5** also uses Piaget's theory of cognitive development, providing a learning experience that promotes individual growth.

Music and movement play a large part integrating the elements of **Hi-5** together, with music reinforcing the central ideas which the series presents, while also being entertaining. Physical interaction is encouraged, and heavily featured to make the show relatively fast-paced, originally to replicate the energy of contemporary music videos. Dancing is featured, with a focus on movements that increase the integration between the left and right sides of the brain.

## Cast

The program features five presenters who are known collectively as **Hi-5**. The cast became a recognized musical group for children, outside of the television program.

**Original Series (1999-2011)**

* **Kellie Crawford** (Series 1–10)
* **Kathleen de Leon Jones** (Series 1–8)
* **Nathan Foley** (Series 1–10)
* **Tim Harding** (Series 1–9)
* **Charli Robinson** (Series 1–10)
* **Sun Park** (Series 9–10)
* **Stevie Nicholson** (Series 10–13)
* **Lauren Brant** (Series 11–13)
* **Casey Burgess** (Series 11–13)
* **Fely Irvine** (Series 11–13)
* **Tim Maddren** (Series 11–13)

**Revived Series (2017)**

* **Courtney Clarke** (Series 1)
* **Shay Clifford** (Series 1)
* **Lachie Dearing** (Series 1)
* **Joe Kalou** (Series 1)
* **Bailey Spalding** (Series 1)

## Home Media

Home media releases of **Hi-5...**

In Australia, **Roadshow Entertainment** have released selected songs and segments from the television series, compiled on VHS and later on DVD, for home video consumption. Each compilation release usually featured three feature Songs of the Week and a range of segments from the corresponding television series, selected to reflect the specific theme of the video. In 2012 and 2013, selected full episodes were released on DVD. Roadshow also distributed three DVDs featuring Hi-5 performing live stage shows, entitled **Hi-5 Live! The Playtime Concert** (2009), **Hi-5 Surprise! Live** (2010) and **Hi-5 Holiday! Live** (2012). These releases did not feature any footage from the television series.

The home video releases were typically well received by the target audience. In its first three months, **Move Your Body** had sold 80,000 copies on VHS. **Summer Rainbows** was the highest selling VHS title for Australian children in 1999 and **Star Dreaming** was the most sold in 2000. The **Summer Rainbows** */* **Move Your Body** double release was the highest selling DVD in 2003, and **Surfing Safari** was the highest selling VHS of the same year. **Playing Cool** (2001) was certified as double platinum by the time of its 2004 DVD release.

* **Move Your Body - VHS & DVD**
* **Summer Rainbows - VHS & DVD**
* **Star Dreaming - VHS & DVD**
* **Animal Adventures - VHS & DVD**
* **Music Machine - VHS & DVD**
* **Snow Party - VHS & DVD**
* **Five Alive - VHS & DVD**
* **Playing Cool - VHS & DVD**
* **Magical Treasures - VHS & DVD**
* **Let's Celebrate - VHS & DVD**
* **Surfing Safari - VHS & DVD**
* **Hi-Energy - VHS & DVD**
* **It's A Hi-5 Christmas - VHS & DVD**
* **Hi-5 Holiday - VHS & DVD**
* **Come On And Party - VHS & DVD**
* **Space Magic - VHS & DVD**
* **Action Heroes - VHS & DVD**
* **Wonderful Journeys - VHS & DVD**
* **Mix It Up - DVD**
* **Sharing Wishes - DVD**
* **Have Some Fun - DVD**
* **Traveling Circus - DVD**
* **Team Hi-5 - DVD**
* **Party Street - DVD**
* **Go Wild! DVD**
* **Playtime! DVD**
* **Jump And Shout - DVD**
* **Fun With Friends - DVD**
* **Santa Claus Is Coming - DVD**
* **Stop, Look And Listen - DVD**
* **Sharing Stories - DVD**
* **Imagine That - DVD**
* **Happy Hi-5 House - DVD**
* **Hey Presto - DVD**
* **Sharing Stories 2 - DVD**
* **Amazing - DVD**
* **Ready Or Not - DVD**
* **Make A Wish - DVD**
* **Sharing Stories 3 - DVD**

**Full Episode Releases**

* **Fun & Games - DVD**
* **Discovery - DVD**
* **Let's Play! DVD**
* **Feeling Fine - DVD**
* **Animal Fun - DVD**

**Special Releases**

* **Hi-5 Dance Hits: Volume 1**
* **Hi-5 Dance Hits: Volume 2**
* **Hi-5 Dance Hits: Volume 3**
* **Favorites**

Hi-5: Move Your Body - VHS (June 1999)Hi-5: Summer Rainbows - VHS (1999)Hi-5: Star Dreaming - VHS (2000)Hi-5: Star Dreaming - DVD (April 2002)Hi-5: Animal Adventures - VHS (2000)Hi-5: Animal Adventures - DVD (March 2004)Hi-5: Music Machine - VHS (October 2000)Hi-5: Music Machine - DVD (April 2002)Hi-5: Snow Party - VHS (April 2001)Hi-5: Snow Party - DVD (August 2005)Hi-5: Five Alive - VHS (September 2001)Hi-5: Five Alive - DVD (October 2003)Hi-5: Playing Cool - VHS (November 2001)Hi-5: Playing Cool - DVD (February 2004)Hi-5: Magical Treasures - VHS (February 2002)Hi-5: Magical Treasures - DVD (September 2004)Hi-5: Let's Celebrate - VHS (October 2002)Hi-5: Let's Celebrate - DVD (September 2004)Hi-5: Surfing Safari - VHS (April 2003)Hi-5: Surfing Safari - DVD (April 2003)Hi-5: Hi-Energy - VHS (August 2003)Hi-5: Hi-Energy - DVD (August 2003)Hi-5: It's A Hi-5 Christmas - VHS (November 2003)Hi-5: It's A Hi-5 Christmas - DVD (November 2003)Hi-5: Hi-5 Holiday - VHS (April 2004)Hi-5: Hi-5 Holiday - DVD (April 2004)