WebProNews

When the business development and marketing teams at HBO ran out of demographics to target, they scratched their heads, put their nose to the grindstone, and with impressive synergy discovered an age group they had yet to plumb-babies! The booming echo of the ensuing eurekas must have been deafening.

The newest offering from HBO is called Classical Baby, an animated half-hour filled with classical music from Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and others, targeted at children as young as six months.

"Watching the program with parents will allow children to associate the music, dance and art with a positive experience, and begin to develop an appreciation of fine art," says Eugene Beresin, a child psychiatrist and associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and consultant for HBO.

"[The show] enhances their appreciation for creativity and individuality and expression."

The idea of infant-targeted television has left some critics cold.

Diane Levin, professor of early childhood education at Wheelock College in Boston argues that "it undermines their ability to learn by getting them used to having someone or something telling them what to do."

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't like it either, recommending no TV for children under two.

"Brain development depends on the interaction of people and objects," says academy member Daniel Broughton. "It's not looking at the television that's the problem. It's looking at the passive television that is not reacting to the child."

The show premiers Saturday at 7:30 PM EST.

Jason L. Miller is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.