In a 2012 Sprout sizzle reel.
NBC Kids was a block of Sprout shows that aired on the main NBC channel from 2012 until 2016, created after NBCUniversal and Comcast's acquisition deal. The block aired on Saturday mornings at 6:30 AM. It replaced the Qubo block, an existing NBCUniversal venture also for children, which itself replaced the Discovery Kids on NBC block, and was replaced by The More You Know block. Ironically enough, Justin Time, one of the shows on NBC Kids, premiered on Qubo in January 2021, a month before it abruptly shut down.
The block was designed to address the developmental needs of preschoolers, with programming encouraging children to live healthier lifestyles. The block reached 110 households as opposed to the main Sprout channel's 55 million. As a result, viewers new to the latter have sampled it on the former.[1]
History
The block debuted on July 7th, 2012. Pajanimals, LazyTown, Noodle and Doodle, Wiggle and Learn, and Poppy Cat, and Justin Time were regularly featured on the block. Some promos from the main Sprout channel were often featured in between shows. Sprout also programmed MiTelemundo, a block of programming in Spanish. According to Sandy Wax, PBS, one of Sprout's original four founders, became concerned about branding confusion when the block launched.[2]
NBC Kids also had its own section on SproutOnline.com, simply referred to in the URL as "Aloha." The section featured games, printables, and crafts and recipes from the site themed around the programs that aired during the block, as well as things to send in to the main Sprout network and information about it such as its schedule and the site's monthly newsletter,.
Shows aired
- Astroblast!
- The Chica Show
- Clangers
- Floogals
- Justin Time
- LazyTown
- Make Way for Noddy
- Nina's World
- Noodle and Doodle
- Pajanimals
- Poppy Cat
- Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave
- Tree Fu Tom
- Wiggle and Learn
- The Wiggles Show!
- Zou
Notes
- Make Way for Noddy was the only PBS show to air on NBC Kids.