NICK JR.'S BLUE'S CLUES MAKES A PRIMETIME
APPEARANCE FOR BLUE'S BIRTHDAY, JUNE 14, 1998

In addition to some special celebrity visitors, the
birthday episode of "Blue's Clues" will be accompanied by a
sweepstakes and a video release

PASADENA, CA, January 18, 1998 -- Blue's Clues, Nickelodeon's ground-breaking preschool series that has garnered wide praise from parents and educators, and has grown to become the most-watched preschool show on commercial television, will present a special primetime telecast in June, it was announced today by Herb Scannell, President, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land. The episode, "Blue's Birthday," will premiere Sunday, June 14th at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern /Pacific).

Special celebrity birthday wishers for "Blue's Birthday" are Whoopi Goldberg, Yasmine Bleeth, Jonathan Lipnicki, Aaliyah, Howie Mandel and Tia & Tamera Mowry. Additional celebrities who are participating in "Blue's Birthday" will be announced at a later date.

Since its premiere in September, 1996, preschoolers have come to love Nick Jr.'s animated blue dog and her antics, jumping to their feet and shouting out answers at the television. Boasting half the preschool audience watching cable in its timeslot, Blue's Clues consistently garners an average 10.1 rating and 43 share in kids 2-5, according to Nielsen data. During the recent holiday break, when even more kids were home from school, Blue's Clues vaulted into the top 10 highest-rated cable programs, including primetime series.

Both parents and educators have praised the series for its innovative "interactive" approach to kids television and its creative scheduling strategy, which presents the same episode Monday through Friday. By repeating episodes, young viewers have an opportunity to build self-confidence as they master the games of each episode.

"We are extremely proud of the critical success and popular groundswell of support for Blue's Clues, Scannell said. "Its entertaining learning games, creative storybook animation and the interactive way it engages its young audience have propelled it to the phenomenon that it is and we are thrilled to be able to present this special primetime episode and widen its audience."

Nickelodeon is pulling out all the stops for "Blue's Birthday," which will encompass a big Blue's Clues birthday party for kids in New York City and a sweepstakes giveaway that includes a savings bond for college and a personalized Blue's Clues birthday party. To cap it off, "Blue's Birthday" will become available through Paramount Home Video in October, 1998 and will include an additional 10 minutes of footage. In addition, there will be a major merchandising push in connection with "Blue's Clues" in June and again in fourth quarter, 1998 that will include product in every major category.

Following Blue's Clues' primetime presentation, "Blue's Birthday" will be presented in its regular timeslot at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19. Employing its customary "play-to-learn" strategy in the "Blue's Birthday" episode, viewers will get to help Steve, the live action host, make some last minute preparations for the party and help him pick out the perfect gift for Blue. In between answering the door for the many party guests, viewers will play some games including a "shake & feel" game, in which everyone must guess what the presents are, and of course, "blue's clues," in which viewers will figure out what Blue wants for her birthday.

Blue's Clues stars Steve Burns as the live-action host who lives in a storybook, animated world. In each episode, Steve invites young viewers to help him solve the day's "clues," which his animated puppy "Blue" has left for him.

Blue's Clues is presented Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. with additional airings Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. (all times Eastern/Pacific). Blue's Clues was created by Traci Paige Johnson, Angela C. Santomero and Todd Kessler. Kessler serves as Executive Producer with Santomero producing and head-writing and Johnson producing and designing.

Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Blue's Clues and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.