New Beginnings

Apartment Announcement

It was September 3rd, 2015, and Kaitlin McKreckson was at her house, reading the newspaper. Then all of a sudden, she found one shocking headline:

SPROUT TO REBRAND FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND DROP ALL PBS SHOWS; THE SUNNY SIDE UP SHOW BARN CLOSING FOR A NEW CITY APARTMENT
9/3/2015
by Patrick Kraff

Sprout, the only 24-hour preschool channel, is turning 10 with some big changes. First, the only LIVE! preschool morning block, The Sunny Side Up Show, will be closing its infamous "Sunshine Barn" and moving to a city apartment. Then, the channel will get rid of shows such as "Barney & Friends," "Bob the Builder," "Thomas and Friends," and "Sesame Street," for a new show called "Nina's World," which is about a little girl and a talking star featuring voice-acting by Rita Moreno. There will also be a new slogan, "Free to Grow!"

Sandy Wax, the channel's president, said that this was all done not only for Sprout's 10th anniversary, but also due to "her baby" [Sprout] competing with PAW Patrol, a Canadian toy-based show airing on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block. Not everyone has access to Nickelodeon and/nor Nick Jr.

Andrew Beecham, the SVP of Programming at Sprout, said "When Sprout launched in 2005, we had to prepare ourselves for challenges over the course of the next 10 years, which is what led us to the 10th anniversary rebrand [of the network]."

Carly Ciarrocchi, one of the Sunny Side Up Show's presenters, said "On the Sunny Side [Up Show] of changes, this meant Kaitlin M., Kaitlin B., Emily, Tim, Chica, and I will have a place to go and hang out other than the Sunshine Barn. And all of this will give us the chance to read birthday cards, sing songs, and make crafts live on-air in new ways."

"Alyssa Milano is now our spokesperson, and she gave us the new slogan, 'Free to grow'" added Ciarrocchi, "We're also snagging new celebrity guest stars for The Sunny Side Up Show, which will be renamed Sunny Side Up."

Wax said that new shows will include "Nina's World," and "Sydney Sailboat," which will replace the gold-standard PBS shows already airing on the channel (for now).

© 2015

Of course, Kaitlin was not only excited about a new city apartment, but she was also shocked about reading the article.

Kaitlin asked her mom if she could go to the Sunshine Barn. She said yes, and Kaitlin hopped away on her ball to her favorite Barn.

When Kaitlin got there, she saw Carly, Tim, Emily, and Kaitlin B. conversing which each other. Carly knelt down and told Kaitlin "Have you heard about the city we're moving to? There's going to be new segments - such as Kindness Counts, Jar Jams, Sit and Sip, and Sprout Today. With keeping the crafts and birthdays of course! It's kid-friendly and chicken-friendly."

Kaitlin B. replied while dancing "And we're gonna have a new funkayh dance break version of the Birthday Song. Yeah!"

Emily also replied, "And everyone will be there for the apartment-warming party later on that night!"

Tim added "Our new apartment's also gonna be an activity center for us and our guests to play in!"

Kaitlin M. was excited about all the details the presenters gave her, especially at Tim's. She replied to Tim's comment, "Just like at here, the Sunshine Barn!"

Chica popped up, and Kaitlin M. and the presenters told her what was going to happen. And, like Kaitlin, she was surprised and excited.

Kaitlin B. informed "Remember, we move to the apartment first thing on the 26th. We'll have our last broadcast days at the Sunshine Barn soon." And with that, Kaitlin M. bounced home.

It was September 25th, and Kaitlin told Jimmy and Happy the Dog the news, "Sprout's turning 10, and we don't have to go to the Sunshine Barn anymore! We're moving to a new apartment in the city tomorrow! It has all kinds of things, and we're even having more celebrity guests for new segments such as Sit and Sip."

Kaitlin bounced her way to the rather bare Sunshine Barn. Everyone had moving boxes.

Emily walked up to Kaitlin and said, "Change can be good Kaitlin, and I promise that the City will be as fun as the Sunshine Barn."

Kaitlin added, "Ever since the Sunny Side Up Show launched eight years ago, we made great Sprout friends, things, and music."

Carly prayed, "But we must bring this chapter to a close." Everyone else was worried.

Emily asked "What do they mean? Are they demolishing the Sunshine Barn for Sprout's 10th anniversary for good?"

Kaitlin answered "Emily, listen, the Sunshine Barn is not getting demolished."

Carly replied "Sprout's turning 10, and they want to rebrand due to competing with PAW Patrol, which includes us moving to the City Apartment."

Kaitlin asked "Will we still see Sproutlet the Rabbit?"

Emily answered "We will, just not as often."

Kaitlin asked another question, "And what about the Sunshine Stage?"

Tim answered "We'll take the Sunshine Stage, but I'm crossing my fingers that the Apartment will have a better one."

Kaitlin sighed in relief. "I like your idea, Tim! But why can't we just stay at the Sunshine Barn?"

Kaitlin B. got up and replied "Remember, We told you? Due to Sprout turning 10 years old."

Carly sighed. "I mean, we'll still see Zou, Boj, Earth to Luna, Caillou, and Astroblast!, but Sproutlet the Rabbit, not that much."

Tim fed Sproutlet her food, and he said "Sproutlet wants to know why we won't see her that often in the Apartment?"

Kaitlin B. answered "I dunno! But we're just moving tomorrow with Sprout's rebrand."

Kaitlin was worried. "What if the new apartment stinks? What about Dennisha, Liz, Kevin, Kelly, and Sean? All the memories, and there's too many tokens here than remind us of here. And what if the Sunshine Barn gets demolished? It won't be the same!"

Emily said "We won't let that happen, as we told you earlier. Remember what happened with Kelly on Thanks for Giving Week last year? She still saw you, Carly, and Chica! Everything will be OK."

Carly comforted Kaitlin, and said "You're right, Kaitlin, it won't be the same, but it some ways it'll be the same. It's all gonna be OK! And we'll have new memories and adventures with Chica! We all feel sad, Kaitlin."

Tim stood up. "So, are you ready to move to the City tomorrow?"

Kaitlin asked "Yes, but where will Sproutlet be?"

Emily replied, "She'll be around somewhere in the City Apartment." Just then, the adults enveloped Kaitlin in a comfort hug.