Sprout (previously known as PBS Kids Sprout until 2009) was a cable/satellite network that originated in 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 HiT Entertainment, Comcast, PBS, and Sesame Workshop. Comcast eventually became the sole owner in 2013 two years after they bought out NBCUniversal.
One of Sprout's most popular features was "The Sunny Side Up Show," a morning block with live hosts and the kazoo-voiced puppet Chica the chicken (who received her own series, The Chica Show, in 2012). Another daily block was The Good Night Show, 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 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 Vortexx, NBC Kids became the very last traditional Saturday morning blocks on a major English-language U.S. commercial TV network to air 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 announcements. 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 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 announced
that NBCU would relaunch Sprout, effective September 9, and re-brand the network as Universal Kids in an attempt to broaden the channel's demographics.
The following programs were broadcast on Sprout in the United States (a (*) indicates it aired on NBC Kids prior to that block's ending):
- Astroblast! (*)
- The Berenstain Bears
- Boj
- Caillou
- The Chica Show (*)
- The Clangers (The remake; *)
- Chloe's Closet
- Earth To Luna! (*)
- Floogals (*)
- The Good Night Show (nighttime programming block)
- The Lets Go Show
- Lily's Driftwood Bay
- Little People (Egmont) (2013 reboot, started airing in March 2016)
- Maya the Bee (2014 movie and series)
- Noodle And Doodle (*)
- Jim Henson's Pajanimals (*)
- Nina's Little Fables
- Nina's World (*)
- Noddy, Toyland Detective
- The Ollie & Moon Show
- Poppy Cat (*)
- Ruff Ruff, Tweet, and Dave (*)
- Sarah & Duck
- Space Racers
- Stella and Sam
- The Sunny Side Up Show (morning programming block)
- Sprout House
- Super Wings
- 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:
- 64 Zoo Lane (Previously seen on Fox Family as part of It's Itsy Bitsy Time! and then on Noggin)
- Angelina Ballerina (the original series)
- Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps
- Archibald the Koala: (Previously seen on Cartoon Network as part of Small World)
- Barney & Friends (this show started airing on Universal Kids on December 17, 2018)
- Big Sister, Little Brother (previously seen on the FOX Family show Mister Moose's Fun Time)
- The Birthday Show
- Bob the Builder (this show started airing on Universal Kids in April 23, 2019)
- Boohbah (the very first show to air on the network)
- Brambly Hedge
- Captain Pugwash
- Dennis and Gnasher
- dirtgirlworld
- Dragon Tales
- Driver Dan's Story Train
- Fifi and the Flowertots
- Fireman Sam
- Franny's Feet
- George Shrinks
- Hola Sproutitos (Time Warner Cable on Demand exclusive)
- The Hoobs
- Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
- Jay Jay the Jet Plane
- James the Cat
- Justin Time (2011) (*; U.S. only — airs on Family Jr. (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 Netflix in its current territories)
- Kipper
- LazyTown (*; Previously aired on Nick Jr.)
- The Many Adventures Of Mr Mailman
- Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (available on demand)
- The Mighty Jungle
- Monkey See, Monkey Do
- Musical Mornings With Coo
- Make Way For Noddy (*)
- Olive the Ostrich
- Panwapa
- Percy the Park Keeper
- Pic Me
- Pingu
- Play With Me Sesame (Previously shown on Noggin)
- Poppy Cat
- Rubbadubbers
- Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat
- Sesame Street (The show has moved to HBO)
- Sid the Science Kid
- Sprout Diner
- The Sprout Sharing Show
- Super Why!
- Thomas & Friends
- The Three Friends... and Jerry (on demand only)
- Teletubbies
- What's Your News?
- Wibbly Pig
- The Wiggles (*; Previously shown on Playhouse Disney)
- Zoboomafoo
