Orton was responsible for a number of worldwide preschool TV franchises, including Pingu, Angelina Ballerina and Kipper. He started the company with distribution rights to 60 episodes of Alvin And The Chipmunks. Hit was sold to Apax Partners in 2005.

Orton's career in children's programming began at Television International Enterprises, where he successfully sold episodes of Sesame Street in Africa and Asia. That led to positions at Sesame Street producer Children's Television Workshop, where he further developed CTW's international productions. Prior to setting up Hit Entertainment, he worked at The Jim Henson Company.