The show became an instant success on British television, and in 1989, Allcroft helped created "Shining Time Station" (1989–1995) in the United States on the Public Broadcasting Service. Because of the sequences that introduced the stories from "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" to American audiences, "Shining Time Station" became a successful television show. Merchandise for "Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends" had been available before the television programme, but the programme created a new multimillion-pound industry and became an unstoppable phenomenon which could be seen in 145 countries worldwide.