[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a1cca022ad276e50644cb2b521e07ebc_first_tv_sprouts.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Free to grow.]]

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.

One of Sprout's most popular features was "Series/TheSunnySideUpShow," a [[UsefulNotes/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.

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]]

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.

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.
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!The following programs were broadcast on Sprout in the United States (a (*) indicates it aired on NBC Kids prior to that block's ending):
[[index]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Astroblast}}'' (*)
* ''Literature/TheBerenstainBears''
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Boj}}''
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Caillou}}''
* ''Series/TheChicaShow'' (*)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheClangers'' (The {{remake}}; *)
* ''WesternAnimation/ChloesCloset''
* ''Earth To Luna!'' (*)
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Floogals}}'' (*)
* ''Series/TheGoodNightShow'' (nighttime programming block)
* ''Series/TheLetsGoShow''
* ''WesternAnimation/LilysDriftwoodBay''
* ''WesternAnimation/LittlePeopleEgmont'' (2013 reboot, started airing in March 2016)
* ''Literature/MayaTheBee'' (2014 movie and series)
* ''Series/NoodleAndDoodle'' (*)
* ''Jim Henson's [[Series/ThePajanimals Pajanimals]]'' (*)
* ''Nina's Little Fables''
* ''WesternAnimation/NinasWorld'' (*)
* ''[[WesternAnimation/NoddysToylandAdventures Noddy, Toyland Detective]]''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheOllieAndMoonShow''
* ''Poppy Cat'' (*)
* ''Ruff Ruff, Tweet, and Dave'' (*)
* ''WesternAnimation/SarahAndDuck''
* ''WesternAnimation/SpaceRacers''
* ''Stella and Sam''
* ''Series/TheSunnySideUpShow'' (morning programming block)
* ''Series/SproutHouse''
* ''Animation/SuperWings''
* ''Tree Fu Tom'' (*)
* ''Zerby Derby''
* ''Zou'' (US only, airs in foreign markets on Disney Junior; *)

!The following programs no longer air on Sprout but were previously seen on either the channel or on demand:
* ''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]]
* ''Angelina Ballerina'' (the original series)
* ''WesternAnimation/AngelinaBallerina: The Next Steps''
* ''WesternAnimation/ArchibaldTheKoala'': [[/index]](Previously seen on [[Creator/CartoonNetwork Cartoon Network]] as part of ''Small World'')[[index]]
* ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' (this show [[https://www.facebook.com/UniversalKids/videos/274082813254250/ started airing]] on Creator/UniversalKids on December 17, 2018)
* ''Big Sister, Little Brother'' (previously seen on the [[Creator/{{Freeform}} FOX Family]] show ''Mister Moose's Fun Time'')
* ''Series/TheBirthdayShow''
* ''WesternAnimation/BobTheBuilder'' (this show started airing on Creator/UniversalKids in April 23, 2019)
* ''Series/{{Boohbah}}'' (the very first show to air on the network)
* ''Literature/BramblyHedge''
* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPugwash''
* ''[[ComicBook/DennisTheMenaceUK Dennis and Gnasher]]''
* ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Dirtgirlworld}} dirtgirlworld]]''
* ''WesternAnimation/DragonTales''
* ''Driver Dan's Story Train''
* ''WesternAnimation/FifiAndTheFlowertots''
* ''WesternAnimation/FiremanSam''
* ''WesternAnimation/FrannysFeet''
* ''WesternAnimation/GeorgeShrinks''
* ''Series/HolaSproutitos'' (Time Warner Cable on Demand exclusive)
* ''Series/TheHoobs''
* ''WesternAnimation/JakersTheAdventuresOfPiggleyWinks''
* ''WesternAnimation/JayJayTheJetPlane''
* ''James the Cat''
* ''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)
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kipper}}''
* ''Series/LazyTown'' (*; Previously aired on Creator/NickJr)
** ''Series/TheSuperSproutletShow''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheManyAdventuresOfMrMailman''
* ''WesternAnimation/MamaMirabellesHomeMovies'' (available on demand)
* ''The Mighty Jungle''
* ''Monkey See, Monkey Do''
* ''Series/MusicalMorningsWithCoo''
* ''[[WesternAnimation/NoddysToylandAdventures Make Way For Noddy]]'' (*)
* ''Olive the Ostrich''
* ''Panwapa''
* ''Percy the Park Keeper''
* ''WesternAnimation/PicMe''
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Pingu}}''
* ''Series/PlayWithMeSesame'' (Previously shown on Creator/{{Noggin}})
* ''WesternAnimation/PoppyCat''
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rubbadubbers}}''
* ''WesternAnimation/SagwaTheChineseSiameseCat''
* ''Series/SesameStreet'' (The show has moved to Creator/{{HBO}})
* ''WesternAnimation/SidTheScienceKid''
* ''WesternAnimation/SproutDiner''
* ''Series/TheSproutSharingShow''
* ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy''
* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheThreeFriendsAndJerry'' (on demand only)
* ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}''
* ''What's Your News?''
* ''WesternAnimation/WibblyPig''
* ''Music/TheWiggles'' (*; Previously shown on [[Creator/DisneyChannel Playhouse Disney]])
** ''Series/SproutsWigglyWaffle''
* ''Series/{{Zoboomafoo}}''
[[/index]]