Editing Teletubbies (section)

==Promotion==
===Merchandising===
[[File:The Teletubbies are still here 2011 (6592747791).jpg|thumb|A kiddie ride featuring the ''Teletubbies'' characters]]
[[Golden Bear Toys]] distributed the first line of ''Teletubbies'' dolls shortly after the programme's debut.<ref>{{cite news| title=Start young, work hard and keep on trusting in success|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/2876392/Start-young-work-hard-and-keep-on-trusting-in-success.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/2876392/Start-young-work-hard-and-keep-on-trusting-in-success.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=9 February 2004|access-date=14 April 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|last=Tyler|first=Richard}}{{cbignore}}</ref> They were sold internationally, with talking toys available in multiple languages.<ref>{{cite news| title=Achtung, Teletubby is teaching baby to speak German|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1313325/Achtung-Teletubby-is-teaching-baby-to-speak-German.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1313325/Achtung-Teletubby-is-teaching-baby-to-speak-German.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=5 January 2001|access-date=14 April 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|last=Stokes|first=Paul}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Hasbro]] signed on to develop a new range of products in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|title=Toy store pulls Teletubby doll|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102398/LA0773.shtml#.V0rlNJMrI_U|date=23 October 1998|access-date=25 May 2016|work=[[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]]|publisher=[[Morris Communications]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701095359/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102398/LA0773.shtml#.V0rlNJMrI_U|archive-date=1 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1999, [[Microsoft|Microsoft UK]] released a set of interactive "ActiMates" toys based on the characters.<ref>{{cite news| title=Eh-oh! What is Bill Gates doing to our Tubbies?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/1999/jan/31/life1.lifemagazine3|date=31 January 1999|access-date=29 May 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=McClellen|first=Jim}}</ref> The Rasta Imposta company introduced ''Teletubbies'' costumes for children and adults in the same year.<ref name="Blythe2011">{{cite book|author=Daniel Blythe|title=Collecting Gadgets and Games from the 1950s–90s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nLhiBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA167|date=13 December 2011|publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1-84468-105-1|pages=167–}}</ref> Two educational [[video game]]s featuring the characters were also released throughout the series' run.<ref>{{cite web|title=Teletubbies 2: Favourite Games|url=http://www.museumofplay.org/online-collections/22/66/109.10907|publisher=[[The National Museum of Play]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528205014/http://www.museumofplay.org/online-collections/22/66/109.10907|archive-date=28 May 2016|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Play with the Teletubbies: Early Childhood Game Review|url=http://www.ign.com/games/play-with-the-teletubbies/ps-15049|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528204915/http://www.ign.com/games/play-with-the-teletubbies/ps-15049|archive-date=28 May 2016|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref>

''Teletubbies'' dolls were the top-selling Christmas toy in 1997.<ref>{{cite news| title=Top-selling Christmas toy from each of the past 30 years revealed|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/top-selling-christmas-toy-each-6940354|date=3 December 2015|access-date=14 April 2016|work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref><ref name="Holland2004">{{cite book|author=Patricia Holland|title=Picturing Childhood: The Myth of the Child in Popular Imagery|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TEsBAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA67|date=23 January 2004|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-0-85771-564-7|pages=67–}}</ref> Demand outstripped supply at most retailers, reportedly prompting many shops to ration them to one per customer.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/30764.stm|title=Teletubbies bigger than Buzz|date=13 November 1997|access-date=14 April 2016|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> In some cases, shoppers camped outside stores overnight in hopes of purchasing ''Teletubbies'' merchandise.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1998/03/29/toy-stores-preparing-for-the-inevitable-craze-for-teletubby-items/|title=Toy Stores Preparing for the Inevitable Craze For Teletubby Items|last=Lenz|first=Kimberly|date=29 March 1998|access-date=14 April 2016|work=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]]|archive-date=27 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127183925/http://articles.dailypress.com/1998-03-29/features/9803270293_1_teletubby-items-toys-plush|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ghouri|first=Nadene|date=26 December 1997|title=Toy stories 1997|work=[[TES (magazine)|TES]]|publisher=TGP Capital|url=https://www.tes.com/article.aspx?storycode=74716|url-status=dead|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817084934/https://www.tes.com/news/tes-archive/tes-publication/toy-stories-0|archive-date=17 August 2016}}</ref> Fights over the toys broke out among parents and collectors on occasion.<ref name="Company2012">{{cite book|author=Official Charts Company|title=Million Sellers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zQDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|date=20 November 2012|publisher=Music Sales Group|isbn=978-0-85712-882-9|pages=311–}}</ref><ref name="Brewer2013">{{cite book|author=Susan Brewer|title=Famous Character Dolls|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y95laWk98uoC&pg=PA64|year=2013|publisher=Casemate Publishers|isbn=978-1-84468-094-8|pages=64–}}</ref> Over one million dolls were sold in Britain by 25 December of that year, with Golden Bear representatives estimating that sales could have reached three million if supplies had been available.<ref>{{cite news| title=Teletubbies are top toy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/teletubbies-are-top-toy-1.140411|date=24 December 1997|access-date=14 April 2016|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> The plush toys were named "Toy of the Year" by the [[British Association of Toy Retailers]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web| title=Toy of the Year 1997: Eh-oh! It's the Teletubbies!|url=http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/toy-year-1997|access-date=14 April 2016|publisher=[[British Association of Toy Retailers]]}}</ref>

Kids' meal tie-ins have been released at [[fast-food restaurant]]s throughout North America. In May 1999, [[Burger King]] distributed a set of six ''Teletubbies'' plush toys.<ref>{{cite web| title=Fries with your Teletubby? Fast food titans fight for market share with toys|url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/05/21/busunu/fast_food_pkg/|date=21 May 1999|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> They also included [[chicken nugget]]s shaped like the characters on their menu for a brief period of time.<ref name="RubinRubin2008">{{cite book|author1=Jordan Rubin|author2=Nicki Rubin|title=Great Physician's Rx for Children's Health|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GTBoaJPAIkoC&pg=PA7|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc|isbn=978-1-4185-7240-2|pages=7–}}</ref> Keychains modelled after the characters were available at [[McDonald's]] in April 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Time for Teletubbies. at McDonald's, April 2000|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/time-teletubbiesat-mcdonalds-april-2000|date=14 April 2000|work=QSR Magazine|publisher=QSR}}</ref> These promotions became controversial among adults who believed they were intended to attract toddlers to high-fat food.<ref name="Schor2014">{{cite book|author=Juliet B. Schor|title=[[Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture]]|date=19 August 2014|publisher=Scribner|isbn=978-1-4391-3090-2|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5VMCBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT258 258]–}}</ref> Psychiatrist [[Alvin Francis Poussaint]] considered the deals "troubling".<ref>{{cite magazine| title=Is advertising to kids wrong? Marketers respond|url=http://kidscreen.com/2000/11/01/30304-20001101/|date=1 November 2000|magazine=[[Playback (magazine)|Kidscreen]]}}</ref> He voiced his opinion on the matter publicly, but did not take action against the companies.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.br-online.de/jugend/izi/english/e-elliott.htm|title=Television and the Teletubbies: A reflection from early childhood service providers in Australia|last=Elliott|first=Roslyn|publisher=[[Bayerischer Rundfunk]]}}</ref>

Two [[kiddie ride]]s featuring the characters were manufactured by Jolly Roger.<ref>{{cite web|title=New licensed character ride for Jolly Roger|url=http://yourguides.net/vending/companies/jolly-roger-amusement-rides-ltd/news|publisher=YourGuides|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619235606/http://yourguides.net/vending/companies/jolly-roger-amusement-rides-ltd/news|archive-date=19 June 2010|access-date=29 May 2016}}</ref> They were available at some amusement parks and arcades, such as [[Chuck E. Cheese's]] and [[Fantasy Island (UK amusement park)|Fantasy Island]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Teletubbies Carousel Ride|url=http://www.photo-me.co.uk/retailers/kiddies-rides/carousels/teletubbies-carousel/|publisher=Photo-Me|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029125329/http://www.photo-me.co.uk/retailers/kiddies-rides/carousels/teletubbies-carousel/|archive-date=29 October 2014|access-date=29 May 2016}}</ref>

Overseas ''Teletubbies'' merchandise sales throughout the 1990s delivered €136 million in profits for the BBC.<ref>{{cite news| title=Mini millionaires: Five who made their fortunes from children's cartoons|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/mini-millionaires-five-who-made-their-fortunes-from-childrens-cartoons-147125-Jun2011/|date=1 June 2011|access-date=5 April 2016|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|publisher=Distilled Media}}</ref> By the time of the programme's cancellation, ''Teletubbies'' toys had generated over £200 million in revenue for co-creator Anne Wood alone.<ref>{{cite news| title=Ragdoll puts sales joint venture with BBC Worldwide on the market|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/29/ragdoll-end-sales-joint-venture-bbc-worldwide|date=29 January 2013|access-date=27 May 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Sweney|first=Mark}}</ref> In 2005, Chris Hastings and Ben Jones of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' called ''Teletubbies'' "the most lucrative show in BBC television history."<ref>{{cite news| title=Teletubbies top BBC overseas sales at £120m|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1499688/Teletubbies-top-BBC-overseas-sales-at-120m.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1499688/Teletubbies-top-BBC-overseas-sales-at-120m.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=2 October 2005|access-date=5 April 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2021, WildBrain, who owns the Teletubbies brand, launched a Teletubbies Pride Collection, with merchandise proceeds going towards efforts to expand LGBTQ images and inclusion in children’s and family programming.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/teletubbies-embrace-pride-gay-tinky-winky-scandal-120005359.html | title=The Teletubbies embrace Pride, more than two decades after 'gay' Tinky Winky scandal | date=20 May 2021 }}</ref>

===Live events===
[[File:View of the Teletubbies on top of a Cbeebies Village Daimler Fleetline bus in the Hamley's Toy Parade (geograph 5200061).jpg|thumb|Teletubbies in the Hamley's Toy Parade in 2016]]
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the premiere of ''Teletubbies'', a series of events took place from March to April 2007.<ref name="tenth anniversary">{{cite news | author=Rusak, Gary | date=12 March 2007 | title=Teletubbies celebrate 10th anniversary in high style | publisher=KidScreen Magazine | url=http://www.kidscreen.com/articles/daily/20070312/teletubbies.html}}</ref> The characters headlined an invitation-only event in [[London]] on 21 March 2007. They appeared in [[New York City]]'s [[Times Square]], [[Grand Central Terminal]], and [[Apollo Theater]]. They were also interviewed on [[NBC|NBC's]] ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' in an episode that included the first televised appearance of the actors without their costumes. A partnership was formed with [[Isaac Mizrahi]] in which Mizrahi designed Teletubbies-inspired bags to be [[auction]]ed off to benefit charities. A new line of clothing was launched at the Pop-Up Shop<ref name="popup shop">{{cite news|title=Teletubbies Pop-Up Shop|url=http://www.taketheteletubbiestest.com/love_it/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510045401/http://www.taketheteletubbiestest.com/love_it/|archive-date=10 May 2007}}</ref> and other speciality stores. [[Mayor of New York City|New York City mayor]] [[Mike Bloomberg]] announced 28 March 2007 "Teletubbies Day" and gave the [[Key to the City|key to the city]] to the Teletubbies. Following their show in New York, the Teletubbies went on their first live European tour, performing in London, [[Paris]], [[Bremen]], [[Darmstadt]], [[Halle (Saale)|Halle]], [[Hamburg]], [[Köln]], and [[Hannover]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Teletubbies reunite for free tour|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6014858/Teletubbies-reunite-for-free-tour.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6014858/Teletubbies-reunite-for-free-tour.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=12 August 2009|access-date=20 May 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In January 2016, costumed ''Teletubbies'' characters appeared at the [[American International Toy Fair]].<ref>{{cite news|title=TOY FAIR 2016: Teletubbies join Character Options for toy unveiling|url=http://www.toynews-online.biz/news/read/toy-fair-2016-teletubbies-join-character-options-for-toy-unveiling/045926|date=26 January 2016|access-date=17 April 2016|publisher=ToyNews|archive-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212084124/http://www.toynews-online.biz/news/read/toy-fair-2016-teletubbies-join-character-options-for-toy-unveiling/045926|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2016, the series' premiere on the Greek Nickelodeon channel was advertised with a series of appearances by the Teletubbies at malls throughout [[Athens]].<ref>{{cite news|date=13 April 2016|title=Eλάτε να γνωρίσετε τα Teletubbies από κοντά το Σάββατο 16/04 στο Avenue!|trans-title=Come and meet Teletubbies up close on Saturday 16/04 at Avenue!|work=[[Nickelodeon (Greece)|Nickelodeon Greece]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom International, Inc.]]|url=http://www.nickelodeon.gr/nea/story/3127/elate-na-gnorisete-ta-teletubbies-apo-konta-to-savvato-16-04-sto-avenue|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529191138/http://www.nickelodeon.gr/nea/story/3127/elate-na-gnorisete-ta-teletubbies-apo-konta-to-savvato-16-04-sto-avenue|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 April 2016|title=Ραντεβού με τα Teletubbies|language=el|trans-title=Appointment with Teletubbies|publisher=Athinorama|url=http://www.athinorama.gr/child/article/rantebou_me_ta_teletubbies__-2513592.html|access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> This began with a live show at Avenue Mall on 16 April, which featured both the Teletubbies and a host from the network.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 April 2016|title=Τα TELETUBBIES αποκλειστικά για μια μέρα στην ΑΘήνα|language=el|trans-title=TELETUBBIES exclusively for one day in Athens|work=Pamebolta.gr|publisher=Avenue Mall Athens|url=https://pamebolta.gr/event/2016/04/14613/ta-teletubbies-apokleistika-gia-mia-mera-stin-athina|access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> Throughout May 2016, the characters appeared on various [[breakfast television|breakfast television programmes]] to promote the upcoming series debut on the Nick Jr. Channel in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 May 2016|title=Teletubbies Takeover Chicago's WGN Morning News|newspaper=[[The Chicago Tribune]]|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/community/chi-ugc-article-teletubbies-takeover-chicagos-wgn-morning-ne-1-2016-05-19-story.html|url-status=dead|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520113942/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/community/chi-ugc-article-teletubbies-takeover-chicagos-wgn-morning-ne-1-2016-05-19-story.html|archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 May 2016|title=The Teletubbies return to TV|work=[[WTSP|Tegna WTSP]]|publisher=[[Tegna, Inc.]]|url=http://www.wtsp.com/entertainment/television/studio10/the-teletubbies-return-to-tv-1/198776346|access-date=27 May 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>