Hi-5 Make it 5 Arias

Hi-5 made ARIA history for the second year in a row last night, winning their fifth consecutive ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) award for Best Children's Album Holiday.

The ARIA's, held at the Superdome, Sydney Olympic Park, once again saw the music industry recognise the talents of Hi-5. This fifth consecutive ARIA win means Hi-5 have broken their own record of four consecutive ARIA's which they achieved in 2003. Until last year, the only artists to have won an ARIA Award over three consecutive years in the same category were Kylie Minogue (Best Pop Release) and Diesel (Best Male Artist), now Hi-5 are streaming ahead changing the history books once again.

The man behind the incredibly successful music is Composer and Musical Director, Chris Harriott who has written and produced all Hi-5 releases to date. Being a dad himself, Chris is very much 'in tune' with children of today and has also composed the music for Bananas in Pyjamas, McLeod's Daughters and The Magic Pudding.

Chris Harriott and Executive Producer Helena Harris joined the Hi-5 team: Kathleen, Nathan, Tim, Charli and Kellie, at the awards ceremony and all were ecstatic with their win.

Chris Harriott
"While most artists appear - and disappear - at an ever increasing speed, it's amazing to win a FIFTH ARIA in row!!"

Helena Harris
"We are honoured to have been awarded five ARIA's in a row. We love being part of Australian music history."

Charli Delaney
"Very proud and so excited. I'm on my phone straight away to my family! Singing into the hairbrush in the mirror when I was little - now five ARIA's. It's awesome."

Tim Harding
"We feel fantastic. We have managed to win every year of Hi-5's existence. It's incredible. Can't believe it. It's like a dream come true."

Kathleen de Leon
"I can't believe it. How awesome. I couldn't be happier."

Nathan Foley
"Privileged and honoured to be recognised for the 5th year and not just as an overnight success."

Kellie Hoggart
"We are in shock and it's a dream come true. Winning 4 and now 5, we never thought we would ever be here"

Hi-5 have sold over 700,000 albums on CD and cassette and are top of the Australian children's music industry. They have been awarded ARIA's for their double platinum albums Jump and Jive (2000) and It's A Party (2001), for their platinum album Boom Boom Beat (2002) and also for Celebrate (2003) and now their Gold album Holiday (2004).

Denis Handlin CEO & Chairman Sony BMG Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand said "We are absolutely delighted with Hi-5's incredible achievement of winning the ARIA Award for Best Children's Album for the fifth consecutive year. This award highlights the amazing commitment to quality children's entertainment by Hi-5, Helena Harris, Chris Harriott and The Nine Network. Sony Music is proud to be their partner in bringing this fantastic music to Australian families."

Hi-5 is a bright, energetic and kinetic television show designed for today's media-literate children with the focus on music, learning and fun. The Song of the Week is a major part of the show. Each week on Hi-5 a chosen theme, that reflects the things that are important to children today, is explored. The Song of the Week, which is played at the beginning and end of each episode reinforces this theme and is performed and filmed in front of a live audience. In addition, each episode sees the Hi-5 team perform a number of short songs and dance routines within their segments encouraging children to join in and learn at home. This is definitely anti-couch potato viewing!

The Hi-5 phenomenon is now global with the television series screening in 81 other countries around the world. Due to the enormous success of Hi-5 in the UK, today marks another visit to the history books, with Series 6 launching simultaneously in Australia and the UK. Hi-5 will air in Australia on Channel 9 at 3.30 pm weekdays and in the U.K. at 7.00 am weekdays on Five.

Hi-5's latest release, Jingle Jangle Jingle is available for Christmas on CD. The DVD/video, Space Magic is also available now.