1 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a1cca022ad276e50644cb2b521e07ebc_first_tv_sprouts.jpg]] |
2 | [[caption-width-right:350:Free to grow.]] |
3 | |
4 | Sprout (previously known as PBS Kids Sprout until 2009) was a cable/satellite network that originated in {{UsefulNotes/Philadelphia}}. First tested as an exclusively Video on Demand service for Comcast Cable subscribers in April 2005, the Sprout channel itself didn't launch until September. The brand was created as a partnership between Creator/HiTEntertainment, Comcast, Creator/{{PBS}}, and Creator/SesameWorkshop. Comcast eventually became the sole owner in 2013 two years after they bought out Creator/NBCUniversal. |
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6 | One of Sprout's most popular features was "Series/TheSunnySideUpShow," a [[MediaNotes/BlockProgramming morning block]] with live hosts and the kazoo-voiced puppet Chica the chicken (who received her own series, ''Series/TheChicaShow'', in 2012). Another daily block was Series/TheGoodNightShow, a block of programming themed around getting children ready for bed. Notably, unlike most U.S. networks of this type (i.e. Nick Jr., Disney Junior), Sprout actually aired advertising in-between programs. They had a stated policy of only airing ads targeted at children's parents, rather than children themselves, though naturally some ads might blur those lines. |
7 | |
8 | In July 2012, Sprout kicked Creator/{{Qubo}} to the curb and took over programming NBC and Telemundo's Saturday morning blocks, under the names NBC Kids and [=MiTelemundo=] respectively. With the demise of Creator/{{Vortexx}}, NBC Kids became the very last traditional Saturday morning blocks on a major English-language U.S. commercial TV network to air [[SaturdayMorningCartoon cartoons]], albeit of an educational nature. The block would come to an end in October on 2016, replaced by a Litton Entertainment block branded "The More You Know", based off NBCU's long running series of {{public service announcement}}s. [[note]]Traditional Saturday morning programming would return in markets with Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned network affiliates and their in-house Creator/KidsClick block in 2017, but even that was short-lived.[[/note]] |
9 | |
10 | In 2014 Sprout marketed a tablet for children called the Cubby, which came pre-loaded with educational software and media featuring their properties. Unfortunately, the tablet--powered by an Allwinner A31 [=SoC=]--was fraught with a [[TheAllegedComputer litany of issues]], the most common being its fragile LCD panel. Many a parent who purchased a Cubby for their children complained about how easily broken the screen is, and that's considering the device's intended target audience i.e. toddlers. |
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12 | On April 30, 2017, Sprout general manager Deirdre Brennan [[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/business/media/nbcuniversal-childrens-channel.html?_r=0 announced]] that NBCU would relaunch Sprout, effective September 9, and re-brand the network as Creator/UniversalKids in an attempt to broaden the channel's demographics. |
13 | ---- |
14 | |
15 | !The following programs were broadcast on Sprout in the United States (a (*) indicates it aired on NBC Kids prior to that block's ending): |
16 | [[index]] |
17 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Astroblast}}'' (*) |
18 | * ''Literature/TheBerenstainBears'' |
19 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Boj}}'' |
20 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Caillou}}'' |
21 | * ''Series/TheChicaShow'' (*) |
22 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheClangers'' (The {{remake}}; *) |
23 | * ''WesternAnimation/ChloesCloset'' |
24 | * ''Earth To Luna!'' (*) |
25 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Floogals}}'' (*) |
26 | * ''Series/TheGoodNightShow'' (nighttime programming block) |
27 | * ''Series/TheLetsGoShow'' |
28 | * ''WesternAnimation/LilysDriftwoodBay'' |
29 | * ''WesternAnimation/LittlePeopleEgmont'' (2013 reboot, started airing in March 2016) |
30 | * ''Literature/MayaTheBee'' (2014 movie and series) |
31 | * ''Series/NoodleAndDoodle'' (*) |
32 | * ''Jim Henson's [[Series/ThePajanimals Pajanimals]]'' (*) |
33 | * ''Nina's Little Fables'' |
34 | * ''WesternAnimation/NinasWorld'' (*) |
35 | * ''[[WesternAnimation/NoddysToylandAdventures Noddy, Toyland Detective]]'' |
36 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheOllieAndMoonShow'' |
37 | * ''Poppy Cat'' (*) |
38 | * ''Ruff Ruff, Tweet, and Dave'' (*) |
39 | * ''WesternAnimation/SarahAndDuck'' |
40 | * ''WesternAnimation/SpaceRacers'' |
41 | * ''Stella and Sam'' |
42 | * ''Series/TheSunnySideUpShow'' (morning programming block) |
43 | * ''Series/SproutHouse'' |
44 | * ''Animation/SuperWings'' |
45 | * ''Tree Fu Tom'' (*) |
46 | * ''Zerby Derby'' |
47 | * ''Zou'' (US only, airs in foreign markets on Disney Junior; *) |
48 | |
49 | !The following programs no longer air on Sprout but were previously seen on either the channel or on demand: |
50 | * ''WesternAnimation/SixtyFourZooLane'' [[/index]](Previously seen on [[Creator/ABCFamily Fox Family]] as part of ''It's Itsy Bitsy Time!'' and then on [[Creator/NickJr Noggin]])[[index]] |
51 | * ''Angelina Ballerina'' (the original series) |
52 | * ''WesternAnimation/AngelinaBallerina: The Next Steps'' |
53 | * ''WesternAnimation/ArchibaldTheKoala'': [[/index]](Previously seen on [[Creator/CartoonNetwork Cartoon Network]] as part of ''Small World'')[[index]] |
54 | * ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' (this show [[https://www.facebook.com/UniversalKids/videos/274082813254250/ started airing]] on Creator/UniversalKids on December 17, 2018) |
55 | * ''Big Sister, Little Brother'' (previously seen on the [[Creator/{{Freeform}} FOX Family]] show ''Mister Moose's Fun Time'') |
56 | * ''Series/TheBirthdayShow'' |
57 | * ''WesternAnimation/BobTheBuilder'' (this show started airing on Creator/UniversalKids in April 23, 2019) |
58 | * ''Series/{{Boohbah}}'' (the very first show to air on the network) |
59 | * ''Literature/BramblyHedge'' |
60 | * ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPugwash'' |
61 | * ''[[ComicBook/DennisTheMenaceUK Dennis and Gnasher]]'' |
62 | * ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Dirtgirlworld}} dirtgirlworld]]'' |
63 | * ''WesternAnimation/DragonTales'' |
64 | * ''Driver Dan's Story Train'' |
65 | * ''WesternAnimation/FifiAndTheFlowertots'' |
66 | * ''WesternAnimation/FiremanSam'' |
67 | * ''WesternAnimation/FrannysFeet'' |
68 | * ''WesternAnimation/GeorgeShrinks'' |
69 | * ''Series/HolaSproutitos'' (Time Warner Cable on Demand exclusive) |
70 | * ''Series/TheHoobs'' |
71 | * ''WesternAnimation/JakersTheAdventuresOfPiggleyWinks'' |
72 | * ''WesternAnimation/JayJayTheJetPlane'' |
73 | * ''James the Cat'' |
74 | * ''WesternAnimation/JustinTime2011'' (*; U.S. only -- airs on Creator/FamilyJr (the former Disney Junior prior to Disney's deal with Corus) in Canada; owner DHX Media has signed a deal to co-produce the third season, which will otherwise air exclusively on Creator/{{Netflix}} in its current territories) |
75 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Kipper}}'' |
76 | * ''Series/LazyTown'' (*; Previously aired on Creator/NickJr) |
77 | ** ''Series/TheSuperSproutletShow'' |
78 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheManyAdventuresOfMrMailman'' |
79 | * ''WesternAnimation/MamaMirabellesHomeMovies'' (available on demand) |
80 | * ''The Mighty Jungle'' |
81 | * ''Monkey See, Monkey Do'' |
82 | * ''Series/MusicalMorningsWithCoo'' |
83 | * ''[[WesternAnimation/NoddysToylandAdventures Make Way For Noddy]]'' (*) |
84 | * ''Olive the Ostrich'' |
85 | * ''Panwapa'' |
86 | * ''Percy the Park Keeper'' |
87 | * ''WesternAnimation/PicMe'' |
88 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Pingu}}'' |
89 | * ''Series/PlayWithMeSesame'' (Previously shown on Creator/{{Noggin}}) |
90 | * ''WesternAnimation/PoppyCat'' |
91 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Rubbadubbers}}'' |
92 | * ''WesternAnimation/SagwaTheChineseSiameseCat'' |
93 | * ''Series/SesameStreet'' (The show has moved to Creator/{{HBO}}) |
94 | * ''WesternAnimation/SidTheScienceKid'' |
95 | * ''WesternAnimation/SproutDiner'' |
96 | * ''Series/TheSproutSharingShow'' |
97 | * ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy'' |
98 | * ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' |
99 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheThreeFriendsAndJerry'' (on demand only) |
100 | * ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}'' |
101 | * ''What's Your News?'' |
102 | * ''WesternAnimation/WibblyPig'' |
103 | * ''Music/TheWiggles'' (*; Previously shown on [[Creator/DisneyChannel Playhouse Disney]]) |
104 | ** ''Series/SproutsWigglyWaffle'' |
105 | * ''Series/{{Zoboomafoo}}'' |
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