Child's Play: "simba's Pride,' Buena Vista Rule Kid Vid Chart For '99

VIDDY THIS: Pok mon ruled kids' audio in 1999, yet Pikachu and company were obliged to share the crown when it came to children's video. True, three Pok mon titles on Viz Video/Pioneer Entertainment made the year-end top 25, including "I Choose You, Pikachu" (No. 5), "Pokey Friends" (No. 14), and "The Mystery Of Mount Moon" (No. 24). But Viz/Pioneer, which ranked as the No. 4 kid vid label of the year, had plenty of company.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment was the top video label this year (as it is every year) with 22 charting titles. The supplier's direct-to-video sequel "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" occupies the top spot, followed by "Mulan" and "Lady And The Tramp" in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively. It also holds down No. 8 and No. 9 ("101 Dalmatians" and "The Little Mermaid: The Special Edition") as well as No. 19 ("Hercules").
Second-ranked Nickelodeon Video, distributed by Paramount Home Video, hit it big with "The Rugrats Movie" (No. 6) and a trio of "Blue's Clues" titles (No. 11, No. 15, and No. 23), and PBS Home Video/Warner Home Video came in third on the strength of four "Teletubbies" releases.
Fifth was Dualstar Video/Warner Home Video, with a pair of Olsen twins titles on the year-end top 25.
In fact, "Mary-Kate & Ashley: Billboard Dad" (No. 4) was the only live-action title in the year-end top 20. Warner also scored with animated features "The King And I" (No. 16), "Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island" (No. 17), and "Quest For Camelot" (No. 25). Another animated feature, Fox Video's "Anastasia," turns up at No. 18.
Four of the year's top 25 kid videos, incidentally, were the made-for-video features "Lion King II," "Billboard Dad," "Batman Beyond," and "Mary-Kate & Ashley: You're Invited To A Costume Party." Manufacturers that had never done children's titles turned up with direct-to-video product as well, most notably HBO Video with "Babar: King Of The Elephants."
BABY IT'S YOU: While its chart showing was negligible, 1999's biggest trend in independent kid video was programming aimed at babies. Several video series designed to give infants a head start on the way to that Ivy League education their parents want hit the market this year.
Some notable titles are "Baby's First Impressions," "So Smart!," "Baby Songs," and now "Brilliant Baby," but more and more such series are crossing our desk all the time.
In spite of the much-publicized statement made earlier this year by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which suggested that children under 2 should not be exposed to TV at all, many indie producers forged ahead.
Many of the producers of these videos, some of which had studied early childhood development, say the AAP wasn't referring specifically to their product, and with that said expect plenty more smart-baby releases before this particular trend plays out.
As for Child's Play, we can only refer to our own experiences in the parent world. Our Lily, who was crazy about Barney, Wee Sing, and Kidsongs videos as a 2-year-old, is now 11 and among the top students in her class. So, go figure.
411 ON DVD: DVD made significant moves in the kids' video arena, via Disney, Lyrick Studios, Sony Wonder, and even BBC Video.
The British broadcaster's DVD version of "Wallace & Gromit: The First Three Adventures" was a welcome addition. We expect DVD to continue a relatively leisurely incursion with regards to children's programming, since VHS isn't close to being over when it comes to families with kids. After all, it's cheap, plentiful, and if anyone thinks tape is dead, minivans with on-board VCRs began showing this year.
MILESTONES: Between the Christian bookstores and the mass market, the hysterically funny computer-animated Bible-tale series "Veggie Tales" from upstart Big Idea Productions racked up a jaw-dropping 6 million units in sales, according to the company.
Anchor Bay Entertainment's Thomas the Tank Engine celebrated his 10-year anniversary and got a new narrator, Alec Baldwin.
A trio of concert videos by the No. 1 kids' artist, Raffi, was released by Rounder Records. The Raff-man also put out an entertaining and informative autobiography.
The venerable Rabbit Ears label hopped back into the market with five video compilations, under a new distribution deal with interactive company Able Soft Inc.
SELLING IT: Rhino took an interesting tack in promoting its Kid Rhino Home Video line of Saturday-morning-cartoon videos from the '70s and '80s, such as "H.R. Pufnstuf," "Jem," and "Transformers," by going after the kids who grew up in that era, who are now parents themselves. Rhino hopes these new parents will be the perfect conduit for exposing the next generation to the cartoons they loved as kids.
Columbia TriStar Home Video did a lavish consumer product tie-in promotion for a one-off title, "The Nuttiest Nutcracker," bringing in partners like Hardee's, Carl's Jr., and (of course) Blue Diamond Nuts.
Blackboard Entertainment hired Oscar winner Holly Hunter to narrate its lovely new Minnesota Orchestra-backed title, "Dr. Seuss's My Many-Colored Days."
Golden Books Family Entertainment cooked up a wacky TV spot to push a holiday line and its series featuring classic characters like Poky Little Puppy.
Lyrick released a pair of videos by Australian sensations the Wiggles, which have sold 2.3 million videos Down Under, and promoted them via a national in-store tour.
WHAT'S NEXT: While it was not a major theatrical hit, we'll be very happy if the year's best animated movie, "The Iron Giant" from Warner Home Video, makes 2000's top 25 best sellers list.