AUSTRALIAN POP BAND COMPETES WITH TELETUBBIES

AUSTRALIAN POP BAND COMPETES WITH TELETUBBIES

SYDNEY, Australia (Wireless Flash) -- Tinky Winky isn't going to like this: a group of singing Australians is moving in on his turf. The singers -- called the Wiggles -- are a big hit Down Under and are branching into Teletubbyland with a TV show that will soon air in the U.S. and videos that will be sold in the U.K. The Wiggles consist of four young hunky guys who sing, play music and dance in synchronized moves similar to N'Sync, while four Teletubby-like costumed characters dance in the background. Although the Wiggles is the most popular kids' act in Australian history, they now hope to become just as big as Barney is in the States. Member Murray Cook, who is the "Red Wiggle," says he's not worried the band's Australian accents will make it hard for American or British kids to relate to the show, because they have an act that's universal. The Wiggles will also be expanding their empire by releasing several video and audio tapes in the U.S. later this Fall.

CONTACT: Murray Cook, ***1/2; Arrange thru Jodi Davis; NYC; (201) 894-0450