Rabbit Ears Radio acquired by CD-ROM company

Originally published in Current, Feb. 17, 1997

By Jacqueline Conciatore

A maker of computer games and other software, Microleague Multimedia Inc., is buying Rabbit Ears Productions Inc., maker of the family program Rabbit Ears Radio.

The PRI-distributed series has been airing only in repeats since April 1996, when owner Millenium Media fired the Rabbit Ears staff of 15 to "streamline" operations. According to a former employee, Rabbit Ears had needed a cash infusion when Millenium bought it from creator Mark Sottnick in late 1995. Millenium's board of directors "pulled the plug" just as Rabbit Ears was making financial headway, the employee said. Millenium's founder and Chief Executive Officer Richard Rasanky resigned at the same time the staff was fired.

The Delaware-based Microleague will pay $2 million to acquire Rabbit Ears, with its 65 titles in audio, video, print and CD-ROM. Microleague says it will produce new radio episodes as well as CD-ROMs, TV shows and books. It has hired as creative consultants Sottnick and his wife--Rabbit Ears co-creator Doris Wilhousky. The radio series is an "important component" of Rabbit Ears' past and future, says Microleague Chief Executive Officer Neil Swartz. Continuing the series will be "good for the Rabbit Ears line," he says.

Sottnick says most of the former Rabbit Ears staff has found new work, but he hopes to contract with those who are freelancing.

Rabbit Ears, hosted by Mel Gibson and Meg Ryan, features stories read by celebrities and music performed by the likes of Bobby McFerrin and B.B. King. About 285 stations carry the weekly show, meant for children but popular with adults as well.

 

To Current's home page

Earlier news: The program's previous owner lays off its entire staff, 1996.

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