The Muppet Show

Since its debut in 1969, Sesame Street had given Jim Henson's Muppet characters exposure.

Two television specials, The Muppets Valentine Show (1974) and The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975), were produced for ABC and are considered pilots for The Muppet Show.

However, the prime-time access rule had been recently enacted, moving the 7:30 to 8 pm ET slot from the networks to their affiliates.

CBS became interested in Henson's series proposals and expressed intent to broadcast it weekly on its owned and operated stations.

According to Henson's pitch reel, George Schlatter was originally involved.

ATV, as part of the ITV network, would broadcast the programme to other ITV stations in the United Kingdom, and its distribution arm, ITC Entertainment, would handle international broadcasts.