20th cranks up kidvid line

By ADAM SANDLER

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has bowed Fox Kids Video, a specially created line of homevideos that will feature classic children's characters. The new division will tape programming from its sister companies as well as from acquisitions.

The move is designed to strengthen Fox's role as a leader in the children's market by offering low-priced vids boasting such characters as Dr. Seuss, Spider-Man, Garfield and the Incredible Hulk.

Fox will support the new line --- which also will tap programming from the Fox Children's Network and HarperCollins --- with a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign using print, radio and TV ads as well as in-store and Internet support.

"Featuring a wide variety of popular and appealing characters, the Fox Kids Video line offers compelling entertainment kids want, at a price that is extremely attractive to their parents," said Bob DeLellis, TCFHE prexy.

The vid arm also will tout the arrival of the new line with a "Coolest Kid on the Planet" contest offering the winner a round-trip, private jet excursion to anywhere in the U.S.

The titles, which bow July 29, will retail for $5.98 and $9.98.