Aspire Media Acquires Needle Arts Studio Television Program

Aspire Media announced today it has completed the acquisition of the Needle Arts Studio television program from Shay Pendray, the owner, producer, and host of the television program that is carried on most PBS stations across the country. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

On the air continuously since 1996, Needle Arts Studio is a highly rated series on PBS and the only PBS program focusing on needle arts.  Needle Arts Studio has carriage in more than 157 markets and distribution to 55 million households in the United States. Each half-hour show welcomes guests who share their expertise in knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, and cross-stitch, with helpful tips, innovative techniques, and fun projects for needle-craft enthusiasts of all skill levels.  Projects and patterns featured on the show also will be available for downloading on the show’s website.

Shay Pendray, author of The Needleworker’s Companion (Interweave Press, 2002), will continue to host the show through 2007 and will continue to be involved both on and off air through at least 2011. KS Inc. Productions will continue to consult for the series. Taping will begin in 2007 for the next 26 episode series—Series 1600 and 1700, which will begin airing in the fall of 2007. As part of Aspire’s executive management team, Interweave President Marilyn Murphy will provide strategic direction and oversight. The show has corporate underwriting from leading yarn and needle-arts companies in the industry.

“We feel very strongly that the success of this show going forward will rely on preserving the loyal viewership that has been so successfully developed by Shay,” said Ms. Murphy, “while Aspire works to take the program to new levels. We are now able to marry television, the Internet, and our publications with the ultimate goal to provide the best gathering place and information source for fiber enthusiasts.”

“I am enthusiastic about the opportunities for Needle Arts Studio as it becomes a part of Aspire Media,” says Ms. Pendray. “They have the talent and the resources to bring to the program a fresh design sensibility and a sincere desire to continue to build the show while meeting the changing interests of today’s needle crafters.”

“Investments like this are an important part of our long-term growth strategy,” said Clay B. Hall, CEO of Aspire Media. “The acquisition of Needle Arts Studio will extend our leadership position in the fiber craft markets. Aspire Media is investing in building Interweave Press both organically and through the acquisition and development of additional media properties. With our acquisition of Needle Arts Studio, we’ve added television as a sixth leg to our platform, making us truly a multiplatform media business.  We now deliver magazines, special interest publications, books, events, online, and television content to a very loyal group of craft enthusiasts.”