Hi-5 House

Hi-5 House is an Australian children's television series, a spin-off of the original Hi-5 series, which aired on the Nine Network in Australia from 1999 to 2011, created by Helena Harris and Posie Graeme-Evans. The series stars the children’s musical group Hi-5, with the spin-off being created to continue the concept with a refreshed appeal, after the brand was sold by the Nine Network in 2012. The program is known for its musical and educational content. Hi-5 House premiered on 4 November 2013 on Nick Jr. Australia.

For the band, see Hi-5 (Australian band). For the original TV series, see Hi-5 (Australian TV series).

Hi-5 House
Genre
Based onHi-5
by Helena Harris
Posie Graeme-Evans
Directed byJonathan Geraghty
Starring
Opening theme"Hi-5 Theme"
Ending theme"Hi-5 Theme" (Reprise)
Composer(s)Chris Harriott
Country of originAustralia
Original language(s)English
No. of series3
No. of episodes75 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Julie Greene
Production location(s)
  • Infinite Studios, Singapore (Series 1)
  • KRU Studios, Malaysia (Series 2 – 3)
Running time24 minutes
Production company(s)
  • Oak3 Films (Series 1)
Release
Original network
  • Nick Jr. (Australia)
  • Netflix (Series 3)
Audio formatStereo
Original release4 November 2013 (2013-11-04) –
25 March 2016 (2016-03-25)
Chronology
Related showsHi-5
External links
Website

The series is designed for a pre-school audience, featuring five performers who educate and entertain through music, movement and play. Music is an integral part of the series with the band's pop appeal resonating in the program. The segments of the show are based on an educational model. Julie Greene served as the executive producer for the program, having previously worked as a series producer on the original show. The cast is composed of Lauren Brant, Mary Lascaris, Ainsley Melham, Stevie Nicholson and Dayen Zheng. Brant was replaced by Tanika Anderson for the later two series. Hi-5 House received an Asian Television Award for Best Preschool Program in 2015.

The third and final series was made available worldwide on Netflix on 25 March 2016. Hi-5 House concluded as a result of the Nine Network renewing its partnership with the Hi-5 franchise in October 2016 with plans to revive the original program with a new cast in 2017.

Format

Hi-5 House is a variety-style series for pre-schoolers which incorporates educational trends with a pop music appeal.[1] The premise remains similar to its predecessor series Hi-5, employing central themes of exploration and discovery of the world.[2] The show's five cast members are collectively known as Hi-5, and present individual segments as well as performing songs as a group.[3] The set of Hi-5 House is designed as a house, and presented as a place where the cast all live together and present the show, while being an environment which children can relate to.[1][4] Each presenter’s segment is adapted to take place in a room of the house, to replicate a child’s immediate learning surroundings.[3][2]

Each episode features each cast member presenting their own individual segment, which is modelled towards a particular learning style based on Howard Gardner's Theory of multiple intelligences, which recognises that each child learns in a different way.[5][2] Puzzles and Patterns (set in the kitchen) 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.[2] Musicality is explored through the Making Music segment (set in the music room), with an emphasis on pitch, rhythm, beat, melody, and using a variety of real and pretend instruments.[3] The presenter of Body Move (set in the backyard) encourages children to participate in movement and dance, developing physical coordination and motor development.[6][4] Linguistics and aural skills are at the centre of the Word Play segment (set in the bedroom), featuring a puppet named Chatterbox who assists in the discovery of language through stories and rhymes.[7] Shapes in Space (set in the rumpus room) focuses on visual and spatial awareness, with the presenter exploring shapes, colour and everyday materials such as boxes and playdough.[5][4]

The final segment in which the cast comes together is entitled Sharing Stories, where a story is told to explore interpersonal relationships and emotions.[7] 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.[1] An additional new segment, The Chatterbox, focuses on learning of the English language through simple words and phrases, featuring the puppet of the same name teaching a toy robot named Tinka how to speak.[3][8]

Cast

Production

The original Hi-5 premiered on the Nine Network in 1999, created by television producer Helena Harris and co-producer Posie Graeme-Evans, who developed the preschool entertainment series.[9] The program was a success, running for thirteen series, and receiving a total of three Logie Television Awards, two for Most Outstanding Children's Program in 2000 and 2001 and one for Most Outstanding Children's Preschool Program in 2004.[10] The series concluded its run on the Nine Network in 2011 as a result of the Hi-5 brand being acquired by Asian equity group Asiasons in 2012, following Nine's ongoing financial difficulties.[11][3] In June 2013, executive producer Julie Greene announced that the franchise would be producing a revamped series, a spin-off to be titled Hi-5 House.[3] Greene explained that the new series would be set in a house, stating that it would depict “a group of friends living together under one space and having some fun, close-by and all under one roof.” She described the change as a “new energy” for the television show.[3] Greene had previously worked on the original program as a series producer, before becoming the brand's executive creative director in 2012.[12]

The first series of Hi-5 House was filmed at Infinite Studios in Singapore from August to October 2013, and premiered on pay-TV channel Nick Jr. in Australia on 4 November 2013.[4][13][14] Greene described the production of the series as “building a show from scratch”.[8] Live action segments featuring children were filmed on location at Singapore Zoo and Sentosa, to add the essence of Singapore to the series.[15]

The second series was filmed at KRU Studios in Malaysia from April to June 2014 and premiered on 6 October on Nick Jr, celebrating fifteen years of Hi-5 on Australian television.[16][17] The series won an Asian Television Award for Best Preschool Program in 2015.[18]

The third series was filmed in Malaysia from March to May 2015.[19] This series premiered exclusively on 25 March 2016 on online television streaming service Netflix in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Latin America.[20][21] It later aired on Nick Jr. from 26 September onwards.

Hi-5 House ended production in 2016 as a result of the Nine Network renewing its partnership in with the Hi-5 franchise in October with plans to revive the original Hi-5 television series with a new cast in 2017.[22]

Episodes
Main article: List of Hi-5 House episodes

Series overview
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1254 November 2013 (2013-11-04)[14]6 December 2013 (2013-12-06)Nick Jr.
2256 October 2014 (2014-10-06)[17]7 November 2014 (2014-11-07)
32525 March 2016 (2016-03-25)[20]Netflix

Reception

Viewership

Hi-5 House was consistently the highest rating program on Disney Junior Asia from its premiere in 2013 to 2016, alongside the original Hi-5 series.[21] In Australia, the premiere episode in 2013 was viewed by 47,000 people on pay TV.[23] Subsequent episodes received recorded viewerships ranging between 36,000 and 49,000.[24][25]

Critical reception

In 2014, Jo Abi of blog Mamamia commended the diversity of the Hi-5 House cast.[26] Reviewing the DVD compilation Happy Holidays in 2015, a reviewer at This Charming Mum praised the show’s costuming and set design, as well as the "specific messages around healthy living [and] environmental awareness" depicted.[27] The blog At Grandma’s Place commended the series’ educational segments, describing them as "bright, colourful and short enough to hold the attention of even the younger kids."[28]

Release

Broadcast

Hi-5 House made its international debut on Disney Junior Asia on 9 December 2013. The first series premiered on Australian free-to-air channel Eleven on 24 February 2014 after previously airing exclusively on pay TV.[29] The series aired in New Zealand on free-to-air channel Four in July 2014.[30] The second series debuted on Disney Junior Asia on 8 December 2014.[16]

The third series of Hi-5 House was removed from Netflix in September 2018, after 30 months on the streaming service.[20]

Home media
Series DVD Title Release Date (Region 4) Songs of the Week Special features
1 Dream House 2 April 2014[31]
  • Come on in
  • Reach Out
 N/A
1 So Many Animals 2 April 2014[32]
  • So Many Animals
  • Dance with the Dinosaurs
 N/A
1 Songs with Friends! 11 June 2014[33]
  • Come on in
  • Move Your Body
  • Reach Out
  • So Many Animals
  • Dance with the Dinosaurs
 N/A
1 Big Adventures! 17 September 2014[34]
  • Dance with the Dinosaurs
  • Move Your Body
 N/A
2 Happy Holidays 2 December 2015[35]
  • Playtime
  • It's Our Planet
  • It's a Party

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2015 Apollo Awards Best Music Composition (Full Length) Hi-5 House Series 2 (Chris Harriott, Various) Nominated [36]
Asian Television Awards Best Preschool Program Hi-5 House Series 2 Won [18]
2016 Hi-5 House Series 3 Nominated [37]
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References
  1. "Hi-5 House – About The Show". Channel ELEVEN. Network Ten. 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. Hunter, Brooke (2014). "Dayen Zheng Hi-5 House Interview". Femail.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  3. Mirrah Amit, Nur (18 June 2013). "Interview with Julie Greene, Executive Producer of Hi-5". On Screen Asia. Contineo Media. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  4. Hunter, Brooke (2014). "Mary Lascaris Hi-5 House Interview". Femail.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2016. Note: There are two different articles with this title.
  5. Nokman, Farhana Syed (13 December 2014). "Preschool the Hi-5 House way". New Straits Times. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  6. Hunter, Brooke (2013). "Ainsley Melham Hi-5 House Interview". Femail.com.au. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  7. Hunter, Brooke (2013). "Mary Lascaris Hi-5 House Interview". Femail.com.au. Retrieved 8 November 2016. Note: There are two different articles with this title.
  8. Gopi, Shreya (23 September 2013). ""Hi-5" at Infinite Studios". On Screen Asia. Contineo Media. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  9. Binns, Rachel (5 February 2004). "Hi-5 Comes Alive at the Theatre Royal". Norfolk on Stage. BBC. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  10. Logie Awards for Hi-5:
  11. "Malaysian group buys children's TV franchise Hi-5". The Australian. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  12. Schmidl, Engel (21 June 2012). "Hi-5 sold off to $250 million Asian private equity group". Smart Company. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  13. McCabe, Kathy (18 August 2013). "Hi-5 will head home to Australia for House Party tour after filming new series in Singapore". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  14. "Nick Jr. Australia And New Zealand Debut New Preschool Shows "Hi-5 House" And "Doozers"; Announces New Hi-5 "House Party Tour"". Nickalive.blogspot.com.au. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  15. Chan, Boon (1 September 2013). "Hi-5 in the House in Singapore". AsiaOne. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  16. Low, Phoebe (8 December 2014). "8 Questions With Tanika Anderson: Hi-5's newest member was a busker". The Straits Times. SPH Digital. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  17. "Hi-5 House". Girl.com.au. October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  18. "2015 Winners". Asian Television Awards. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  19. "Children's band Hi-5 launches promotional tour on the Gold Coast". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  20. "'Hi-5 House' on Netflix USA". New on Netflix USA. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  21. Heary, Monica (21 January 2016). "Dream to reality for shire Hi-5 recruit Dearing". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  22. Knox, David (14 October 2016). "Nine reviving Hi-5". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  23. "Monday 4 November 2013". TV Tonight. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  24. "Tuesday 13 November 2013". TV Tonight. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  25. "Wednesday 5 November 2014". TV Tonight. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  26. Abi, Jo (19 February 2014). "Kids need more diverse role models on TV. This is why". Mamamia.com. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  27. "Hi-5 Happy Holidays – Kids DVD Review". ThisCharmingMum.com. 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  28. "Enjoy things fun and festive with the holiday fun from Hi5". AtGrandmasPlace.com. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  29. Knox, David (11 February 2014). "Hi-5 comes to ELEVEN". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  30. "HI-5 New Zealand tour to be rescheduled". Scoop.co.nz. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  31. "Buy Hi-5: Dream House on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au". EzyDVD. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  32. "Buy Hi-5: So Many Animals on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au". EzyDVD. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  33. "Hi-5 - Songs with Friends". Sanity. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  34. "Buy Hi-5: Big Adventures on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au". EzyDVD. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  35. "Buy Hi-5 - Happy Holidays! DVD". JB Hi-Fi. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  36. "Apollo Awards 2015 Nominations List". Asia Image Apollo Awards 2015. Asia Apollo Awards. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  37. "2016 Nominees". Asian Television Awards. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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