News Shorts: Superbuns To Make Its Linear Debut On Universal Kids, Mpumalanga TV Goes Live On 1KZN TV With Sannah Mchunu And Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island To Stream On eVOD From April 25

Peacock original debuts on Universal Kids

Universal Kids which serves as the American counterpart of DreamWorks Channel and Sky is operated by NBCUniversal. Since it's launch, the channel has seen a decline in consumption and several content changes with its current lineup preschool tailored.

As seen in an programme guide, the Canadian based animated series Superbuns is slated to rollout on the channel from 28 April.

Based on the children's book of the same name, it follows a little bunny whose superpower is kindness does what she can to brighten everyone’s day. The series was made available to stream on Peacock sometime in 2023.

Mpumalanga gets a 1 hour block on 1KZN

Based in KwaZulu Natal, 1KZN TV is a proudly Zulu community television channel that produces its local content. Its aim is greater social inclusion of genders, castes, and ethnicities while encouraging greater education and improved health.

During the week, the channel debuted a 2 hour block with actress Sannah Mchunu gracing the red carpet. Although not much details had been shared about the content to be allocated on Mpumalanga TV beforehand to garner some exposure. 

It will air daily on 1KZN from 5pm to 6pm with repeats on weekends.

Umbrella Men is back for new adventures on eVOD 

After pulling off the ultimate heist in the original "The Umbrella Men," Jerome, Morty, Mila, Keisha, and Auntie Val thought they could finally enjoy the good life. But their celebrations are cut short when the villainous Tariek enters the scene with sinister plans.

Before they know it, Jerome and Morty find themselves locked up in the infamous Robben Island Prison, while Keisha, Mila, and Auntie Val are left to hatch an audacious plan to bust them out. However, their troubles are just beginning as Tariek's ambitions grow more diabolical by the minute, threatening world domination!

In this action-packed, music-filled sequel, our favorite crew of accidental criminals must band together once more, using all their wits and talents to take down Tariek, clear their names, and finally make it back home to the Bo Kaap as free men.

'The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island' is officially hitting eVOD on April 25th.

Could NBCU's Universal Kids Or Sky UK's Sky Kids Expand To Africa??? Perhaps As A Future Replacement To Disney Channel On DStv

Sky Kids is a children's channel operated by Sky Group a subsidiary of Comcast which features live-action shows like My Friend Misty, The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates and Dino Club alongside animation like Where's Wally?, Clifford and Trollstopia.

Internationally, it is known as DreamWorks Channel and a local variation known as Universal Kids residing in the United States both of which are operated by NBCUniversal also a subsidiary of Comcast.

Disney is looking to consolidate their content to streaming as linear TV is no longer viewed as the core of their business as mentioned earlier. This has led to the cancellation of several Disney Channels in the United Kingdom, Asia, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

In Africa, these channels had extended through 2024 on DStv and are expected to go dark at some point. Thereafter, MultiChoice would need to sought replacement channels in order to keep viewers onboard their platforms and fill the void left by Disney.

With the lack of children channels across the world, MultiChoice would most likely need to curate a customary channel similar to AMC International and Paramount Global's CBS Justice and JimJam or Ngwato Nkosi Group Movie Room and Play Room channels.

Sky Kids wouldn't seem like a far fetched brand to incorporate within the DStv platform despite the pay-tv platform already packaging DreamWorks. Some content is very much viewed on Showmax prior to the announcement that NBCUniversal had acquired a 30% stake to streamer.

NBCUniversal also supply Universal, E! Entertainment, Studio Universal and Telemundo to DStv.

This kids channel likely titled Universal Kids would see MultiChoice and NBCUniversal join forces supplying content that is not only viewable on Sky Kids in the UK but also shows streaming on Showmax or in other words a follow-up to the defunct K-TV kids brand.

Could A K-TV Type Channel Be Heading To MultiChoice's DStv Once Disney Channel Exits The African Market?

In 2021, The Walt Disney Company ripped the general entertainment channel FOX away from African countries alongside several other European territories. Amidst that time, MultiChoice renewed the agreement for their remaining channels through 2024.

The Walt Disney Company supplies factual and wildlife brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, kids brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior and sports channels ESPN 1 & 2.

As seen after the closure of FOX, several programs viewed on the brand were folded under the streaming service, Disney+ with National Geographic and Disney Channel anticipated to suffer a similar fate in the coming future - still no word on ESPN.

Disney Channel serves as one of the few brands on DStv to offer content for a mature audience with shows like Bunk'd, Raven's Home and Hannah Montana alongside animation like Phineas And Ferb, The Ghost And Molly McGee and The Owl House.

As mentioned, all of this will be put on a tile through Disney+ and unlike FOX in which MultiChoice turn to brands like M-Net, BBC Brit and Universal for similar content. Disney Channel just like these brands is basically premium tier of the kids section.

Meaning consumers are going to expect MultiChoice to source out an alternative brand as it's not like Nicktoons were most content can be viewed on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. as this is a brand with content consumers are expected to miss.

Over to replacements, considering the impact Disney Channel had offer tweens and older kids. The channel would likely have to do the same in order to keep the masses at bay and as seen in most international outlets this brand would come with its own programming.

The only thing that came to mind was K-TV, a defunct kids brand from M-Net serving up a lot of licenced material from NBCUniversal, BBC, Mattel Creations, Cookie Jar Group, The Walt Disney Company before being supplemented by Nickelodeon.

Although M-Net and MultiChoice expressed no interest in returning the K-TV brand. A few months ago, Sky (a division of Comcast) rolled out their children's division through Sky Kids featuring original content alongside content from DreamWorks Animation.

Would it be shocking if MultiChoice launched their own version of Sky Kids probably in partnership with NBCUniversal despite the existence of DreamWorks as the company already retains a 30% stake in Showmax alongside various other partnerships.

This channel could take up the format once seen on Universal Kids with live-action shows like Hank Zipzer, Bajillionaires, The Next Step alongside animation like She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, Voltron Legendary Defenders and Dennis: Gnasher Unleashed.

Showmax rolled out their first original animated series Jay Jay: The Chosen One with plans to do more if successful. Maybe this could be one of the new offerings for the supposed channel.

Comcast, Parent Company Of NBCUniversal To Rollout Fourth Kids Brand In The UK, Sky Kids

Sky, a division of Comcast and in some way the UK version of NBCUniversal announced the rollout of Sky Kids bringing the total number of kids to 4 from February 2023.

As you may recall, NBCUniversal is responsible for conceiving the other 3 brands. DreamWorks being the eldest has been dominating the cinema circuit, Universal Kids the middle man is going through troubled times and the last Peacock Kids is still in daycare.

Sky Kids, the pay-tv children's channel sets out to be fourth edition to the trio exclusively in the UK. Home to ad-free 24-hour programming, the new channel will showcase quality Sky Originals and big names that kids love and parents can trust.

Some of the content announced include originals such as My Friend Misty, Ready, Eddie, Go!, Dino Club and The Very Small Creatures alongside other content like TrollsTopia, Where’s Wally, Madagascar a Little Wild, and Clifford The Big Red Dog.

Insidus Games:
- Bugs Bunny & Lola Bunny: Operation Carrot Patch
- Buzz Lightyear Star Command
- Fix It Fun! Bob The Builder
- Daffy Duck: Fowl Play

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky said:

“We’re so excited to announce the launch of our brand-new linear channel. Millions of our customers already love watching our huge range of Original shows on-demand but families with younger kids have told us that watching on linear channels is an important part of their day; so, we’ve listened and expanded our Sky Kids offering at no extra cost.

“The new channel will have a whole breadth of brand new and much-loved shows for kids and families to enjoy and we can’t wait to reveal the full fantastic line-up of shows.”

Regular Nick:
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj to rollout on Nicktoons in Africa
- Two current shows from Boomerang rolling out on the Cartoonito block across Africa
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

Could Universal Kids Be The Next Channel From NBCUniversal To Close Soon?

Universal Kids is a children's entertainment channel operated by NBCUniversal in the United States targeting audiences aged 2-14. For those who aren't familiar with the brand, it's basically the American counterpart of DreamWorks Channel.

Universal Kids once offered live-action series like Hank Zipzer and Top Chef now it only offers animation mainly from DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal archives such as Where's Waldo, Norman Picklestripes, Dragons and Trolls: The Beat Goes On.

As seen within Nielsen's ratings for the year end 2022, Universal Kids has lost 34% of their viewers. It went from having at least 34000 viewers to a whopping 23000 and a year prior it increased to about 4% so why is that.

Regular Nick:
- Here are other ways to view PBS Kids
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise

Before Universal Kids, the brand was once a preschool channel refered to as Sprout which competed with brands like CBeebies and Baby TV with shows like Chica, Nina's World and Jay Jay The Jet Plane.

After its acquisition by NBCUniversal in 2015, the company was looking to invent a channel that could take on the likes of Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. How good that turned out to be still lost on why they couldn't have done with DreamWorks.

As analysed by several friends of mine, NBCUniversal rushed to have this channel onboard. To me it would have made more sense to change the content as Sprout was still relevant around the time Universal Kids entertained.

Perhaps, NBCUniversal could have greenlit original series particularly for Sprout but catered to a wider audience aged 8-14 and try getting shows like AFHV and Ripley's Believe It Or Not as one is family oriented and the other educational.

Overtime we could have got more entertaining shows from the brand as more audiences would have been glued.

Thereafter they could have fiddled around with the brand name a bit refer to it as Universal Sprout and shortly after Universal Kids but I think DreamWorks would have made sense as more people would have been familiar with the brand and it wouldn't bomb so much.

Insidus Games:
- Tom And Jerry: Infurnal Escape
- Tom And Jerry: The Magic Ring
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie

As mentioned, Universal Kids' audience continues to plummet behind closed doors NBCUniversal hasn't bothered to source out anything for the channel through their archives so it's safe to say that the channel might as well be closing down.

Joining another channel that pulled far less viewers which is the gaming brand G4.

Although Universal Kids' demise seems more transparent within each passing second. The upside to all this is DreamWorks as distribution and popularity for the brand continues to accelerate after Disney closes their channels.

So if there's anything I think NBCUniversal should learn from all this is that they don't need to work hard to be another Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon but fight to their own strengths and the rest will come later as seen with DreamWorks.

Sprout Is Dead But Still Lives On Through DreamWorks Junior

Sprout was a preschool channel NBCUniversal acquired from PBS, Sesame Workshop and HiT Entertainment from the period of 2011-2013. Under the new ownership, the channel increased investment toward original programming.

The channel went to experiment with its offering by sourcing more half hours for older preschool audiences with shows like Noddy: Toyland Detective, Floogals, Kipper, LazyTown, The Wiggles, Poppy Cat, Nina's World and Justin Time.

In 2017, it was announced that Sprout would become serve as programming block to Universal Kids a new channel that wanted to aim toward older children with shows like Bajillionaires, Hank Zipzer, Polly Pocket and The Deep.

Universal Kids is not known by a lot of consumers internationally same with Sprout but for several years now the international feed has been known as DreamWorks Channel within the brand there's a preschool block known as DreamWorks Junior.

Unlike Sprout, DreamWorks Jr. doesn't offer much educational content as it follows the likes of Disney Junior and Nick Jr. that gear toward character driven shows or anything remotely similar but tone down to main brands Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.

No matter what opinion Sprout fans have over DreamWorks Junior, these type of content get viewers glued not that the offering on Sprout was bad but the world evolves and you still find alternatives like CBeebies and PBS Kids that do have a following.

Some of the content seen on this new version of Sprout includes Noddy: Toyland Detective, VeggieTales In The House, Doug Unplugs, Go Dog Go, Madagascar: A Little Wild and Dragons: Rescue Riders and you even get nostalgic content like Little Charley Bear and Olivia.

Although Universal Kids was said to have destroyed Sprout. DreamWorks Junior actually saved the brand from complete annihilation. I know the content ain't branded as Sprout but think about for a second.

Not a lot of households had access to Sprout and same outcome had fallen onto Universal Kids. If NBCUniversal had kept Sprout would it have survived the linear business especially now that more consumers are binging their favourite shows through their cellular gadgets.

DreamWorks USA Is Falling Apart: The History Of Universal Kids

On October 20th, 2004, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) announced a partnership with Comcast, HiT Entertainment (now Mattel Creations) and Sesame Workshop to create a new subscription based channel for aimed at children under the age of 4 kind of like Baby TV.

On April 4th, 2005, Comcast announced that the new kids channel would be called PBS Kids Sprout and it launched 6 months later on September 26. At first it launched as an on demand service then it got a channel later.

Unlike PBS Kids, the channel aired adverts however they were minimal and featured products aimed at babies and toddlers. Among the shows to air on the channel were Barney And Friends, Kipper, Pingu, Angelina Ballerina, Boobah, Calliou, Teletubbies and more.

In addition to airing many programming blocks, Sprout did something unique on the channel where it would take several short episodes of a show and combine it into a half hour show of its own complete with interstitials between segments.

2011 to 2013 saw a complex of business decisions that would lead NBC to get full control of the channel.

To summarise, Comcast claimed a 51% share of NBCUniversal at the time leaving them to handle the channel. Apex Partners sold HiT Entertainment to NBCUniversal and claimed their stake in Sprout. Sesame Workshop and PBS solder their share of Sprout forcing PBS to retract PBS Kids from the name by November 2013.

While all of this began in July 2012, Sprout began to run NBC Kids and Mi Telemundo respectively. This was a block that aired Saturday mornings aimed at younger children.

On September 26, 2015, Sprout recieved a refresh.

On May 1st, 2017, since Sprout was owned entirely by NBCUniversal. They announced that the channel would rebrand into Universal Kids and begin airing shows aimed at preteens at primetime hours. They would continue producing original content some from DreamWorks Animation that NBCUniversal purchased in 2016.

Unfortunately this change seemed to negatively impact the channel's viewership. It dropped by 30% in 2017 and a cut of 73% percent in 2018.

In June 2019, to try and recover Universal Kids financially they stopped producing new original content and shifted their focus to acquired series. But still in 2019 they were the lowest viewed channel in the United States with only 31,000 viewers per day luckily the decline dropped to 3%.

So it seems Universal Kids has fallen from its prime in recent years. Why is this?

I believe it is because of the brand change not everyone was familiar with Universal Kids even though it was the same channel. The new changes turned people off the channel. I think they could have slowed the rebrand perhaps add the changes to the lineup and take use of an intermediary name like Universal Sprout.

It seems like Universal Kids is in trouble and I mean soon to be terminated kind of trouble, can they dig themselves out of this?

At the moment, Universal Kids hasn't updated their programming and offers less and less content which often signals the downfall of a brand but with it being ranked the 132nd most watched channel in the United States one would hope but with cable becoming endangered I doubt.

 

eToonz Now Caters To Teens With This Slate Of Live-Action Series

After almost 2 years, eMedia Investments gives eToonz some fresh content once seen as another Rewind in their portfolio burst out of that bubble with a dedicated live-action slot accompanying the already available Power Rangers.

The slate of programming that was recently added to the channel includes the preschool series In The Night Garden from CBeebies. Accompanied by some other kids programming mostly Canadian by the brands WildBrainTV and CBBC.

Here's some details on the new content for the channel:

Preschool

- In The Night Garden - the programme features a large cast of colourful characters with unusual names who live in a magical forest scattered with large daisies and brightly coloured pompom flowers. The characters mostly speak short and repetitive phrases and each one has their own special song and dance. The garden is a sunny and colourful environment and the music is jaunty and music box-like.

 

Kids

- Backstage - The trials and tribulations of the students at Keaton School of the Arts, which includes dancers, singers, musicians, and artists. The characters frequently break the fourth wall, talking to the viewers in so-called "confessionals.
- Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever - Hank Zipzer is a young boy who is dyslexic. He lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family, and attends P.S. 87 at Amsterdam Avenue and W 78th Street. His best friends are Frankie Townsend and Ashley Wong.
- Make It Savvy - A kids magazine series out of Canada hosted by Annie LeBlanc from the Bratayley YouTube channel and have segments on music, fashion, and DIY, as well as lifestyle elements, and celebrity profiles and interviews.
 

- Bajillionaires - Is a hilarious live-action kids’ comedy that follows the exploits of a group of fledgling entrepreneurs running a tech start-up out of one of their parents’ garages. Led by 12-year-old CEO Max Graham, the neighbourhood pals are constantly brainstorming ideas for the world’s next great invention, and while most of their creations are hilariously bad, totally weird and wildly impractical, the kids are always learning something new, becoming better friends and getting one step closer to their BIG idea.
- Make It Pop: Summer Splash - Follows Sun Hi, Jodi, and Corki around Mackendrick Prep, a boarding school, who form a high school K-pop-inspired band called XO-IQ, with the help of Caleb, and find music, mischief, love, and friendship.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets (Lnk.Bio).

After 4 Years, Universal Kids Rolls Out Internationally Through Asia As A Placeholder For Disney Channel, Could DStv Follow In The Pursuit? + Could A Rebrand Be On The Cards For The DreamWorks Channel?

NBCUniversal launched Universal Kids four years ago with content aimed at 2 to 11 year olds ranging from DreamWorks Animation, unscripted entertainment, live action shows and international programming.

Since launch, the channel has seen a significant decrease in viewership with IndieWire reporting a 30% decline in 2017, followed by a 73% drop in 2018. With the channel pulling roughly 36000 viewers as it slowly gains more viewers.

Just like Universal TV in the U.S.
Despite its poor viewership, Universal Kids was able to launch in Asia making it the first international market to have a Universal Kids on top of DreamWorks Channel where some of its content is seen.

Of course, it couldn't come at a better time seeing that The Walt Disney Company is closing 100 international channels by the end of 2021 as they opt to streaming.

DreamWorks Channel which has been seen as the international counterpart of Universal Kids (until now) has experienced immense growth in distribution with StarTimes being the only provider in Africa to supply the channel.

Seeing that Asia carries both brands, Is it possible the same could be done in Africa likely through MultiChoice's DStv?

MultiChoice offer several price plans for DStv with each have that pillar they leverage of from to get consumers to stick with that particular product.

In this case, Disney Channel was that pillar for certain consumers. So the logical thing to do would be to source out a brand that can carry similar traits such as Universal Kids or risk losing consumers.

Peacock Kids: The Future Of Universal Kids And DreamWorks Channel
NBCUniversal hosts a streaming service called Peacock which is where the name of the kids division, Peacock Kids derives from.

Peacock Kids was first spotted on YouTube when the brand took the spot of DreamWorks Channel with the page also including clips of live-action content.

NBCUniversal has 3 kids brands in total
1. Peacock Kids - for the streamers since 2020 leveraging from the other two
2. Universal Kids - exclusive to the U.S. until 2021
3. DreamWorks Channel - available outside the U.S. since 2015

Universal TV is still there despite its termination in the U.S. and Peacock's presence so maybe Universal Kids and DreamWorks Channel will continue or merge into one station regardless the American one is on autopilot.

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Read Also:
- TLNovelas might be switching to HD
- Upcoming shows for Disney Channel and Disney Junior
- Disney Channel and Disney Junior might be closing down
- November on Da Vinci Kids
- November on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- African Animation Network launching an experimental animation block
- Toei Animaton teaming up with tvN parent company on anime
- Cyberchase coming soon to PBS Kids
- Is a new kids brand on the way through Warner Bros. Discovery?
- Could Warner Bros. Discovery form a new kids brand?
- Cartoon Network working on an African superhero series

With Less Kids Entertainment On Cable, Here's A List Of Possible Kids Channels That Might Occupy Disney XD Spot On DStv

In less than 21 days, Disney XD will shut down on DStv and since MultiChoice won't be looking at alternatives for 304 yet I complied a list of possible candidates. There's not much kids entertainment left in the world that viewers haven't already seen but these channels are the only ones left that cater to the same audience as XD and I can see part of them die like XD at some point. In the end, MultiChoice managed to package a total of 15 kids channels and not a lot of countries can do that.

NBCUNIVERSAL:
DreamWorks Channel, a kids channel owned by NBCUniversal (since 2016) which is home to archived and current DreamWorks animation including Dawn Of The Croods, All Hail King Julien and DreamWorks Dragons. The channel was available exclusively through Kwesé TV (till it got liquidated) and a year later on StarTimes.

Universal Kids also owned by NBCUniversal targeting a youth audience, including DreamWorks Animation content, unscripted programming (including game shows, and youth spin-offs of reality series from its sister networks, such as American Ninja Warrior and Top Chef), and imported series from other countries.

WARNERMEDIA:
Toonami owned by WarnerMedia is the home of superheroes particularly from DC Comics. Exciting, action-packed comics-based cartoon shows for fanboys-and-girls including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Young Justice. The channel was available exclusively through Kwesé TV (liquidated), a few months later on Cell C's Black (defunct) and a year later as a pop-up channel on DStv and became a permanent channel on StarTimes.

Boing also owned by WarnerMedia is a reruns channel for past programming seen on Cartoon Network including Puffy Amiyumi, Ed Edd'n Eddy, Dexter's Laboratory and Courage The Cowardly Dog alongside some acquired programming such as The Garfield Show and Sonic Boom. The channel is available in some parts of Africa.

Genius Brands:
Kartoon Channel (formerly Kid Genius and Baby Genius) is the home of the very best in kids and familiy entertainment across major cable/satellite providers and OTT platforms. Their shows have no violence, no negative stereotypes, and no inappropriate language. The lineup includes Minecraft’s Journey to the End, Angry Birds Toons, Mighty7, Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama. GNUS described it as Netflix for kids.

Stats:
- DreamWorks content is accessible on many platforms while Universal Kids can supply that content on a limited basis due to the other programming seen on the channel.
- Universal Kids is the least watched channel in the U.S. and the only channel here that's not gaining traction.
- Kartoon Channel is the brand with several platforms to view.
- Toonami and Boing are pure repeats channels meaning if there's a time where streaming dominates the market these channels can be obsolete.
- Most of DreamWorks Animation is coming from Netflix meaning if the platform feels like not investing in the brand then the channel could become obsolete. On the bright side more platforms are working with this brand for more programming guarantee longevity.

Read Also:
- 5+ New Channels Coming To DStv
- CBeebies will be added to DStv Compact, Family and Access
- FOX Life stops airing on DStv
- KIX movie lineup before it's launch on DStv
- Is MultiChoice planning to remove EVA as well

- Discovery EMEA streamlining channels

- Zoomoo kiddies lineup
- Scrapped channels on DStv - their status is still unknown

Universal Kids Halts Original Programming

NBCU-owned Universal Kids is shifting its
programming strategy and will no longer make original content. The shift is to ensure the long-term viability of the channel.

The US kidcaster will stay on the air and
continue as a linear channel, however moving forward it will only be acquiring content and continuing its current partnership with DreamWorks Animation (also owned by NBCUniversal).

Any originals that have already been
commissioned will also air as scheduled, and will have full marketing support from the network. There's no confirmation on
whether any of these shows would have the
option of additional seasons.

Some of Universal Kids’ original programming includes Top Chef Junior (two seasons have aired), American Ninja Warrior Junior (second season in production and will air in 2020), tween makeover series Get Out of My Room and live-action scripted comedy Bajillionaires, previously titled Greenfields (co-commissioned with DHX and produced by Six Eleven Media).

Universal Kids announced in May that it is
developing spin-off show Top Chef Junior:
Remix and escape room-inspired series Create the Escape. DreamWorks series Where’s Waldo and Norman Picklestripes will still air as planned as Universal Kids continues to build on that partnership.

Based in New York, anyone who was in a
content, original content, or development role has been shifted into a new position at
Universal, or their job has been eliminated.
It’s not clear who will be affected.

In February this year, Deirdre Brennan left after serving as GM for two years. At the time, her departure was attributed to an executive restructure. NBCU’s president of lifestyle networks, Frances Berwick, took over Brennan’s responsibilities when she left. Berwick continues to shoulder those
responsibilities as part of her role as lifestyle networks president.

Universal Kids launched in 2017 , after
rebranding the preschool channel Sprout. It
instead targeted two- to 11-year-olds, with a Sprout preschool block featuring original
programming from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
content for older kids and families airing from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

After the rebrand, the channel’s ratings plummeted 30% between 2016 and 2017, according to IndieWire. The following year, IndieWire reported that Universal Kids’ ratings dipped an additional 73%.

A Pair Of Brand-New Original Animated Series, Norm And Powerbirds Have Been Greenlit For The New Sprout Preschool Block On Upcoming US Net Universal Kids

NBCUniversal’s forthcoming Universal Kids network has greenlit two new 52 x 11 minute original animated series, Norm and Powerbirds, for its Sprout preschool block.

Created by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Breen, Powerbirds follows the adventures of two pet parakeets that happen to live secret superhero lives. The series is expected to debut in early 2019.

Norm, meanwhile, is a stop-motion series scheduled for late 2019 starring the son of Mother Nature. As a handyman of the forest, he uses his wits and a sprinkle of magic to solve problems for his eccentric animal friends.

Both new series were announced as development projects in February.

Universal Kids has also revealed July 15 as the Sprout premiere date for its Zodiak Kids-produced animated original Kody Kapow, and added Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) to its voice cast as Goji the Tiger. Set in China, the series follows a Chinese-American boy who learns he is destined to become a martial arts superhero.

Kody Kapow is created by Alexander Bar (Mike the Knight) and developed for television by Robin J. Stein and Daniel Bryan Franklin. It is executive produced by Eryk Casemiro, with animation produced by Boat Rocker-owned Jam Filled under the direction of Sam Chou.

The rebranding of Sprout into Universal Kids will officially kick off from September 9, 2017. Sprout’s name will live on as a daily preschool programming block airing 15 hours of content with Universal Kids programmed older kids and families then on.