Jump to content

Children's programming on NBC: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Fixed improper POV
 
(15 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 22: Line 22:
In September 1989, NBC premiered ''[[Saved by the Bell]]'', a sitcom centered on the fictional Bayside High School in [[Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles|Pacific Palisades, California]], which originated on [[Disney Channel|The Disney Channel]] the year prior as ''[[Good Morning, Miss Bliss]]'' (the predecessor series, set in an [[Indianapolis]], Indiana middle school, served as a starring vehicle for [[Hayley Mills]], who did not return for the retooled series; four cast members from that show – [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]], [[Dennis Haskins]], [[Lark Voorhies]] and [[Dustin Diamond]] – were cast in ''Saved by the Bell'' as their ''Miss Bliss'' characters). Despite receiving harsh reviews from television critics, ''Saved by the Bell'' would become one of the most popular teen-oriented series in television history as well as the highest-rated series on Saturday mornings, dethroning [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Bugs Bunny Show|The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show]]'' in its first season.
In September 1989, NBC premiered ''[[Saved by the Bell]]'', a sitcom centered on the fictional Bayside High School in [[Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles|Pacific Palisades, California]], which originated on [[Disney Channel|The Disney Channel]] the year prior as ''[[Good Morning, Miss Bliss]]'' (the predecessor series, set in an [[Indianapolis]], Indiana middle school, served as a starring vehicle for [[Hayley Mills]], who did not return for the retooled series; four cast members from that show – [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]], [[Dennis Haskins]], [[Lark Voorhies]] and [[Dustin Diamond]] – were cast in ''Saved by the Bell'' as their ''Miss Bliss'' characters). Despite receiving harsh reviews from television critics, ''Saved by the Bell'' would become one of the most popular teen-oriented series in television history as well as the highest-rated series on Saturday mornings, dethroning [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Bugs Bunny Show|The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show]]'' in its first season.


However in October 1990, then-President [[George H. W. Bush]] signed a deal with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to require [[E/I|educational content]] under the [[Children's Television Act]] for the Fall 1991 season,<ref>{{cite web|title=Children and Television|url=http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring03/Wells/history.htm|author=Landrea Wells|publisher=[[University of Florida]]|access-date=October 27, 2024}}</ref> which mandated these guidelines in animated programs for the network, including ''[[Space Cats]]'', ''[[Super Mario World (TV series)|Super Mario World]]'', and ''[[ProStars]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Mark |title=TV Stations Faulted for Dearth of Educational Fare |url=https://www.edweek.org/education/tv-stations-faulted-for-dearth-of-educational-fare/1992/10 |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=Education Week |date=October 7, 1992 |language=en}}</ref> Following the negative reception from this experience, NBC subsequently cancels the animated programming for Saturday mornings as FCC responded that not all cartoons were made to be educational.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=1993-03-04 |title='Flintstones' and Programs Like It Aren't Educational, F.C.C. Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/04/us/flintstones-and-programs-like-it-aren-t-educational-fcc-says.html |access-date=October 27, 2024 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
However, in October 1990, then-President [[George H. W. Bush]] signed a deal with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to require [[E/I|educational content]] under the [[Children's Television Act]] for the Fall 1991 season,<ref>{{cite web|title=Children and Television|url=http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring03/Wells/history.htm|author=Landrea Wells|publisher=[[University of Florida]]|access-date=October 27, 2024}}</ref> which mandated these guidelines in animated programs for the network, including ''[[Space Cats]]'', ''[[Super Mario World (TV series)|Super Mario World]]'', and ''[[ProStars]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Mark |title=TV Stations Faulted for Dearth of Educational Fare |url=https://www.edweek.org/education/tv-stations-faulted-for-dearth-of-educational-fare/1992/10 |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=Education Week |date=October 7, 1992 |language=en}}</ref> Following the negative reception with this experience, NBC subsequently canceled the animated programming for Saturday mornings as FCC responded that not all cartoons were made to be educational.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharbutt |first=Jay |date=1992-01-25 |title='Toon wars continue: NBC to bow out Aug.1 |language=en-US |work=Press-Republican |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=prre19920125-01.1.6&srpos=1&e=------199-en-20--1--txt-txIN-%27Toon+wars+continue%3a+NBC+to+bow+out+Aug+1.--------- |access-date=December 27, 2024 |issn=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=1993-03-04 |title='Flintstones' and Programs Like It Aren't Educational, F.C.C. Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/04/us/flintstones-and-programs-like-it-aren-t-educational-fcc-says.html |access-date=October 27, 2024 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


===TNBC (1992–2002)===
===TNBC (1992–2002)===
{{main|TNBC}}
{{main|TNBC}}
As results of the continued success of ''Saved by the Bell'' and the failed experience from the enforced educational content, NBC restructured its Saturday morning lineup in September 1992 by replacing children’s programming with live-action – mostly scripted – series aimed at teenagers as part of a new three-hour block under the brand [[TNBC]] (the network also launched an hour-long Saturday edition of ''[[Weekend Today|Today]]'' that debuted simultaneously with the TNBC lineup).
As results of the continued success of ''Saved by the Bell'' and the failed experience of enforcing educational content, NBC restructured its Saturday morning lineup in September 1992 by replacing children's programming with live-action – mostly scripted – series aimed at teenagers as part of a new three-hour block under the brand [[TNBC]] (the network also launched an hour-long Saturday edition of ''[[Weekend Today|Today]]'' that debuted simultaneously with the TNBC lineup).


Most of the programs on the TNBC lineup were sitcoms produced by ''Saved by the Bell'' executive producer [[Peter Engel]] such as ''[[City Guys]]'', ''[[Hang Time (TV series)|Hang Time]]'', ''[[California Dreams]]'', ''[[One World (TV series)|One World]]'' and the ''Saved by the Bell'' spinoff, ''[[Saved by the Bell: The New Class]]''.<ref name="DiscoveryKids">{{cite news|title=Discovery set to kid around with Peacock|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117856766.html?categoryid=1201&cs=1&query=|first=Paula|last=Bernstein|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=December 4, 2001|access-date=August 13, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Many of the scripted series incorporating social issues such as [[underage drinking]], [[Substance abuse|drug use]] and [[sexual harassment]]. By 2001, the block had begun suffering from declining viewership; in addition, although the block was aimed at adolescents, TNBC's programs ironically registered a median viewer age of 41.<ref name=variety-adultsdiscover>{{cite web|title=Adults 'Discover' kiddie programs|url=https://variety.com/2003/tv/news/adults-discover-kiddie-programs-1117880923/|periodical=Variety|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=2003|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref>
Most of the programs on the TNBC lineup were sitcoms produced by ''Saved by the Bell'' executive producer [[Peter Engel]] such as ''[[City Guys]]'', ''[[Hang Time (TV series)|Hang Time]]'', ''[[California Dreams]]'', ''[[One World (TV series)|One World]]'' and the ''Saved by the Bell'' spinoff, ''[[Saved by the Bell: The New Class]]''.<ref name="DiscoveryKids">{{cite news|title=Discovery set to kid around with Peacock|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/discovery-set-to-kid-around-with-peacock-1117856766/|first=Paula|last=Bernstein|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=December 4, 2001|access-date=August 13, 2009}}</ref> Many of the scripted series incorporating social issues such as [[underage drinking]], [[Substance abuse|drug use]] and [[sexual harassment]]. By 2001, the block had begun suffering from declining viewership; in addition, although the block was aimed at adolescents, TNBC's programs ironically registered a median viewer age of 41.<ref name=variety-adultsdiscover>{{cite web|title=Adults 'Discover' kiddie programs|url=https://variety.com/2003/tv/news/adults-discover-kiddie-programs-1117880923/|periodical=Variety|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=2003|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref>


''[[NBA Inside Stuff]]'', an analysis and interview program aimed at teens that was hosted for most of its run by [[Ahmad Rashad]] (who also served as a commentator and pre-game host for the network's [[NBA on NBC|NBA coverage]] during much of ''Inside Stuff''{{'}}s NBC run), also aired alongside the TNBC lineup during the NBA season until [[2001–02 NBA season|2002]], with the program moving to ABC the following season as a result of that network taking the [[NBA on ABC|NBA rights]] from NBC.
''[[NBA Inside Stuff]]'', an analysis and interview program aimed at teens that was hosted for most of its run by [[Ahmad Rashad]] (who also served as a commentator and pre-game host for the network's [[NBA on NBC|NBA coverage]] during much of ''Inside Stuff''{{'}}s NBC run), also aired alongside the TNBC lineup during the NBA season until [[2001–02 NBA season|2002]], with the program moving to ABC the following season as a result of that network taking the [[NBA on ABC|NBA rights]] from NBC.
Line 46: Line 46:
===NBC Kids (2012–2016)===
===NBC Kids (2012–2016)===
{{main|NBC Kids}}
{{main|NBC Kids}}
On March 28, 2012, NBC announced that the three-hour children's programming time period allocated by the network on Weekend mornings would be taken over by [[Sprout (TV network)|Sprout]] (which had become a sister television property to NBC following parent company NBCUniversal's 2010 majority purchase by [[Comcast]]; NBC later took full ownership of the network, whose owners previously included [[Sesame Workshop]] and [[HIT Entertainment]]) and launch a new Weekend morning block called [[NBC Kids]], which is aimed at preschoolers and grade school-aged children ages 2 to 9.<ref name="Weisman">{{cite news|title=NBC to launch Saturday kids block|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052022?refCatId=14|first=Jon|last=Weisman|periodical=Variety|publisher=[[PMC (company)|Penske Media Corporation]]|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519174046/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052022?refCatId=14|archive-date=May 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Rubino">{{cite news|title=NBC, With Assist From Sprout, to Launch Saturday Morning Preschool Block|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/482478-NBC_With_Assist_From_Sprout_to_Launch_Saturday_Morning_Preschool_Block.php|first=Lindsay|last=Rubino|periodical=Multichannel News|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>
On March 28, 2012, NBC announced that the three-hour children's programming time period allocated by the network on Weekend mornings would be taken over by [[Sprout (TV network)|Sprout]] (which had become a sister television property to NBC following parent company NBCUniversal's 2010 majority purchase by [[Comcast]]; NBC later took full ownership of the network, whose owners previously included [[Sesame Workshop]] and [[HIT Entertainment]]) and launch a new Weekend morning block called [[NBC Kids]], which is aimed at preschoolers and grade school-aged children ages 2 to 9.<ref name="Weisman">{{cite news|title=NBC to launch Saturday kids block|url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/nbc-to-launch-saturday-kids-block-1118052022/|first=Jon|last=Weisman|periodical=Variety|publisher=[[PMC (company)|Penske Media Corporation]]|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519174046/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052022?refCatId=14|archive-date=May 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rubino">{{cite news|title=NBC, With Assist From Sprout, to Launch Saturday Morning Preschool Block|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/482478-NBC_With_Assist_From_Sprout_to_Launch_Saturday_Morning_Preschool_Block.php|first=Lindsay|last=Rubino|periodical=Multichannel News|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>


NBC Kids debuted on July 7, 2012, one week after the Qubo block ended its run on NBC on June 30 (which left [[Ion Television]] (and later [[Ion Plus]]) as the only network to retain a Qubo-branded children's block up until the closure of the Qubo Channel on February 28, 2021, as the [[E.W. Scripps Company]] is now the owner of [[Ion Media]], which they acquired on January 7, 2021).<ref name="MarketWatch">{{cite news|title=NBC Will Launch NBC Kids, a New Saturday Morning Preschool Block Programmed by Sprout®, Saturday, July 7|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nbc-will-launch-nbc-kids-a-new-saturday-morning-preschool-block-programmed-by-sprout-saturday-july-7-2012-03-28|work=[[MarketWatch]]|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>
NBC Kids debuted on July 7, 2012, one week after the Qubo block ended its run on NBC on June 30 (which left [[Ion Television]] (and later [[Ion Plus]]) as the only network to retain a Qubo-branded children's block up until the closure of the Qubo Channel on February 28, 2021, as the [[E.W. Scripps Company]] is now the owner of [[Ion Media]], which they acquired on January 7, 2021).<ref name="MarketWatch">{{cite news|title=NBC Will Launch NBC Kids, a New Saturday Morning Preschool Block Programmed by Sprout®, Saturday, July 7|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nbc-will-launch-nbc-kids-a-new-saturday-morning-preschool-block-programmed-by-sprout-saturday-july-7-2012-03-28|work=[[MarketWatch]]|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>
Line 61: Line 61:
Not all shows within NBC's Weekend morning block are seen on all of the network's [[NBC Owned Television Stations|owned-and-operated stations]] and [[network affiliate|affiliate]]s. Occasionally, some or all programs featured within the block are subject to delay or pre-emption due to local or syndicated programs scheduled by local NBC stations, or may be delayed by the network due to [[NBC Sports|sporting events]] such as the [[Summer Olympic Games]], the French Open, the [[United States Golf Association|USGA]]-sanctioned [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and [[The Presidents Cup|Presidents Cup]] tournaments, or [[Premier League|English Premier League]] soccer.
Not all shows within NBC's Weekend morning block are seen on all of the network's [[NBC Owned Television Stations|owned-and-operated stations]] and [[network affiliate|affiliate]]s. Occasionally, some or all programs featured within the block are subject to delay or pre-emption due to local or syndicated programs scheduled by local NBC stations, or may be delayed by the network due to [[NBC Sports|sporting events]] such as the [[Summer Olympic Games]], the French Open, the [[United States Golf Association|USGA]]-sanctioned [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and [[The Presidents Cup|Presidents Cup]] tournaments, or [[Premier League|English Premier League]] soccer.


Due to regulations defined by the Children's Television Act that require stations to carry E/I compliant programming for three hours each week at any time between 7:00&nbsp;a.m. and 10:00&nbsp;p.m. local time, some NBC stations may defer certain programs aired within its Weekend morning block to Sunday daytime or earlier Weekend morning slots, or (in the case of affiliates in the Western United States) Weekend afternoons as makegoods to comply with the CTA regulations.
Due to regulations defined by the Children's Television Act that require stations to carry E/I compliant programming for three hours each week at any time between 7:00&nbsp;a.m. and 10:00&nbsp;p.m. local time, some NBC stations may defer certain programs aired within its Weekend morning block to Sunday daytime or earlier Weekend morning slots, or (in the case of affiliates in the Western United States) Weekend afternoons as makegoods to comply with the [[Children's Television Act|CTA regulations]].


===List of notable programs===
===List of notable programs===
Line 156: Line 156:
|[[CBC Television]]
|[[CBC Television]]
|-
|-
|''[[Tarzan and the Super 7/Batman and the Super 7]]''
|''[[Tarzan and the Super 7|Batman and the Super 7]]''
|1980-1981
|1980-1981
|
|
Line 821: Line 821:
*1986 – ''Alvin Goes Back to School''
*1986 – ''Alvin Goes Back to School''
*1987 – ''ALF Loves a Mystery'' (hosted by [[Benji Gregory]] from ''[[ALF (TV series)|ALF]]'')
*1987 – ''ALF Loves a Mystery'' (hosted by [[Benji Gregory]] from ''[[ALF (TV series)|ALF]]'')
*1989 – ''Who Shrunk Saturday Morning?'' (hosted by the cast of ''[[Saved by the Bell]]''; featuring [[ALF (TV series)|ALF]], [[John Candy]] and [[Marsha Warfield]])
*1989 – ''Who Shrunk Saturday Morning?'' (hosted by cast of ''[[Saved by the Bell]]''; featuring [[ALF (character)|ALF]], [[John Candy]], [[John Moschitta Jr.]], [[Marsha Warfield]] and [[Sherman Hemsley]])


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 22:10, 26 December 2024

Children's programming has played a part in NBC's programming since its initial roots in television. This article outlines the history of children's television programming on NBC including the various blocks and notable programs that have aired throughout the television network's history on weekends.

History

[edit]

1947–1956

[edit]

In 1947, NBC's first major children's program was Howdy Doody, one of the era's first breakthrough television programs. The series, which ran for 13 years until it ended in 1960, featured a myriad of characters led by a freckle-faced marionette voiced by the show's host, "Buffalo" Bob Smith. Howdy Doody spent the first nine years of its run airing on weekday afternoons.[1]

1956–1992

[edit]

In 1956, NBC stopped airing children's programming within its weekday afternoon schedule, relegating the network's children's shows to Saturdays only with Howdy Doody serving as its marquee franchise for the remaining four years of that series' run. From the mid-1960s until 1992, the bulk of the children's programs broadcast by NBC were derived from theatrical shorts like The Pink Panther Show and classic Woody Woodpecker and Looney Tunes shorts; reruns of popular television series such as The Flintstones and The Jetsons; and foreign acquisitions such as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion.

During this period, the network also aired original animated series – most notably, the 1980s series The Smurfs and Alvin and the Chipmunks. It also carried animated series adapted from certain live-action NBC series such as It's Punky Brewster (based on the sitcom Punky Brewster), Emergency +4 (based on the medical drama Emergency!) ALF: The Animated Series (based on the sitcom ALF) and Star Trek: The Animated Series (based on the science fiction drama Star Trek), as well as animated series vehicles for certain NBC prime time stars including Gary Coleman (The Gary Coleman Show) and Mr. T (Mister T), and original live-action series including the Sid & Marty Krofft-produced The Banana Splits, The Bugaloos and H.R. Pufnstuf.

The Metric Marvels, a short-form series produced by the creators of rival ABC's Schoolhouse Rock! as part of a failed attempt to encourage metrication in the United States, aired on NBC during the late 1970s.

In September 1985, NBC was the first network to broadcast Saturday morning cartoons in stereo.

One series that made up to the NBC Saturday morning lineup was Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series. NBC aired the program on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM (later moved to 11:00 AM) for one season during 1987.

Final years with animated programming (1989–1992)

[edit]

In September 1989, NBC premiered Saved by the Bell, a sitcom centered on the fictional Bayside High School in Pacific Palisades, California, which originated on The Disney Channel the year prior as Good Morning, Miss Bliss (the predecessor series, set in an Indianapolis, Indiana middle school, served as a starring vehicle for Hayley Mills, who did not return for the retooled series; four cast members from that show – Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dennis Haskins, Lark Voorhies and Dustin Diamond – were cast in Saved by the Bell as their Miss Bliss characters). Despite receiving harsh reviews from television critics, Saved by the Bell would become one of the most popular teen-oriented series in television history as well as the highest-rated series on Saturday mornings, dethroning ABC's The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show in its first season.

However, in October 1990, then-President George H. W. Bush signed a deal with the Federal Communications Commission to require educational content under the Children's Television Act for the Fall 1991 season,[2] which mandated these guidelines in animated programs for the network, including Space Cats, Super Mario World, and ProStars.[3] Following the negative reception with this experience, NBC subsequently canceled the animated programming for Saturday mornings as FCC responded that not all cartoons were made to be educational.[4][5]

TNBC (1992–2002)

[edit]
Main article: TNBC

As results of the continued success of Saved by the Bell and the failed experience of enforcing educational content, NBC restructured its Saturday morning lineup in September 1992 by replacing children's programming with live-action – mostly scripted – series aimed at teenagers as part of a new three-hour block under the brand TNBC (the network also launched an hour-long Saturday edition of Today that debuted simultaneously with the TNBC lineup).

Most of the programs on the TNBC lineup were sitcoms produced by Saved by the Bell executive producer Peter Engel such as City Guys, Hang Time, California Dreams, One World and the Saved by the Bell spinoff, Saved by the Bell: The New Class.[6] Many of the scripted series incorporating social issues such as underage drinking, drug use and sexual harassment. By 2001, the block had begun suffering from declining viewership; in addition, although the block was aimed at adolescents, TNBC's programs ironically registered a median viewer age of 41.[7]

NBA Inside Stuff, an analysis and interview program aimed at teens that was hosted for most of its run by Ahmad Rashad (who also served as a commentator and pre-game host for the network's NBA coverage during much of Inside Stuff's NBC run), also aired alongside the TNBC lineup during the NBA season until 2002, with the program moving to ABC the following season as a result of that network taking the NBA rights from NBC.

Discovery Kids on NBC (2002–2006)

[edit]
Main article: Discovery Kids on NBC

On January 6, 2002, NBC entered into an agreement with Discovery Communications, in which it would produce a new Saturday morning block for the network featuring original programs from the Discovery Kids cable channel under a time-lease agreement to provide programming compliant with the FCC's educational programming guidelines to NBC's affiliates, rather than having any network input or production.[8][9] The block, branded "Discovery Kids on NBC", premiered on October 5, 2002.[6] Originally, the lineup consisted of only live-action series featuring a mix of new series and existing Discovery Kids programs including Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls (a spin-off of the TLC home renovation reality show Trading Spaces) and the reality game show Endurance (a Survivor-style series created and executive produced by host J. D. Roth, who later produced The Biggest Loser for NBC in 2003).

In November 2003, the block expanded to include animated series under the banner "Real Toons", marking the first time that any animated programming had aired on NBC since 1992.[10][11] In March 2006, Discovery Communications announced it would not renew its contract with NBC, citing a desire to focus exclusively on the Discovery Kids cable channel.[12][13] Discovery Kids on NBC ended its run on September 2, 2006.

Qubo on NBC/Telemundo (2006–2012)

[edit]
Main article: Qubo

In May 2006, NBCUniversal and Ion Media Networks announced plans to form Qubo, a joint venture in conjunction with Scholastic Corporation, Classic Media and Corus Entertainment subsidiary Nelvana. The multi-platform programming endeavor, aimed at children between 4 and 8 years of age, would comprise children's program blocks airing on NBC, Spanish-language sister network Telemundo and Ion Media's i: Independent Television (now Ion Television), as well as a 24-hour digital multicast channel on i's owned-and-operated stations (alternatively known as Qubo Channel), video on demand services and a branded website. The reasoning why the name "qubo" was chosen for the endeavor, or why its logo is a cube, has never been publicly explained by any of the partners, although general manager Rick Rodriguez stated in an interview with Multichannel News that the name was intended to be something that sounded fun, and be a brand that could easily be used uniformly in English and Spanish.[14][15]

The new "Qubo on NBC" block premiered on September 9, 2006, featuring six programs in its initial season: VeggieTales, 3-2-1 Penguins!, Dragon, Babar, Jane and the Dragon, and Jacob Two-Two. Initially, VeggieTales episodes aired on the block excised religious content originally incorporated before and after the main feature in the home video releases. This drew criticism for the block and NBC in particular from the conservative watchdog group Parents Television Council, as well as VeggieTales co-creator Phil Vischer, who claimed that he was unaware of the intent to edit out the religious material when Qubo acquired the program distribution rights.[16]

NBC Kids (2012–2016)

[edit]
Main article: NBC Kids

On March 28, 2012, NBC announced that the three-hour children's programming time period allocated by the network on Weekend mornings would be taken over by Sprout (which had become a sister television property to NBC following parent company NBCUniversal's 2010 majority purchase by Comcast; NBC later took full ownership of the network, whose owners previously included Sesame Workshop and HIT Entertainment) and launch a new Weekend morning block called NBC Kids, which is aimed at preschoolers and grade school-aged children ages 2 to 9.[17][18]

NBC Kids debuted on July 7, 2012, one week after the Qubo block ended its run on NBC on June 30 (which left Ion Television (and later Ion Plus) as the only network to retain a Qubo-branded children's block up until the closure of the Qubo Channel on February 28, 2021, as the E.W. Scripps Company is now the owner of Ion Media, which they acquired on January 7, 2021).[19]

Between both 2014 and 2015, several PBS Kids programs were being removed from both the block and the Sprout Channel due to PBS quitting the channel and continuing with its own children's programming separately. Then on both February 24, 2016 and March 1, 2016, NBC announced that NBC Kids would shut down and succeeded on October 8, 2016, by The More You Know, a block produced by Litton Entertainment that would feature live-action documentary and lifestyle programs aimed at pre-teens and teenagers, similarly to a block also introduced by Litton for NBC co-owner CW the previous 2 years. The move came as part of a shift by broadcast television networks towards using their Weekend morning lineup solely to comply with the educational programming requirements and when Sprout changed its name to Universal Kids on September 9, 2017. NBC Kids quietly went to the Noodle and Doodle end credits shortly before NBC Sports on September 25, 2016.

The More You Know (2016–present)

[edit]
Main article: The More You Know (TV programming block)

Between February 24, 2016, and March 1, 2016, NBC announced that it would lease its Weekend morning lineup to Litton Entertainment, The More You Know beginning October 2016.[20] Named after NBC's series of public service campaigns, the three-hour Weekend morning block is programmed by Litton Entertainment, and features live-action programming aimed at teens.[21]

Programming

[edit]

Scheduling issues

[edit]

Not all shows within NBC's Weekend morning block are seen on all of the network's owned-and-operated stations and affiliates. Occasionally, some or all programs featured within the block are subject to delay or pre-emption due to local or syndicated programs scheduled by local NBC stations, or may be delayed by the network due to sporting events such as the Summer Olympic Games, the French Open, the USGA-sanctioned U.S. Open and Presidents Cup tournaments, or English Premier League soccer.

Due to regulations defined by the Children's Television Act that require stations to carry E/I compliant programming for three hours each week at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time, some NBC stations may defer certain programs aired within its Weekend morning block to Sunday daytime or earlier Weekend morning slots, or (in the case of affiliates in the Western United States) Weekend afternoons as makegoods to comply with the CTA regulations.

List of notable programs

[edit]
See also: List of programs previously broadcast by NBC
Note: Shows listed in bold are in-house productions from NBC, most of which now have their distribution rights held by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios.
Title Run Production Companies Original Network
3-2-1 Penguins! 2006-2009, 2010 Big Idea Entertainment Direct-to-Video
3-2-1 Penguins! and LarryBoy Adventures Stories 2006-2010 Big Idea Entertainment

DKP Effects (2002-2003) UTV Software Communications (2007-2008)

Direct-to-Video
Adventure Camp 2003 Discovery Kids
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 1990-1991 DIC Animation City

Reteitalia

Nintendo of America

Adventures of the Gummi Bears 1985-1989 Walt Disney Television Animation
ALF Tales 1988–1990 DIC Animation City

Saban Entertainment

Alien Productions

ALF: The Animated Series 1987–1989 DIC Animation City

Saban Entertainment

Alien Productions

All About Us 2001 NBC Enterprises TNBC (programming block)
Alvin and the Chipmunks 1983–1991 Bagdasarian Productions

Ruby-Spears Enterprises (1983–1987) (seasons 1–5)

Murakami-Wolf-Swenson (1988, eleven episodes)

DIC Enterprises (1988–1990) (seasons 6–8)

Astroblast! 2014-2016 Scholastic Media

Soup2Nuts

Sprout
Astro Boy 1963-1978 Mushi Production (Japan

Crunchyroll NBC Enterprise

Fuji TV (Japan)
Babar 2006-2012 (reruns of the 1989 Canadian series) Nelvana Limited CBC Television
Batman and the Super 7 1980-1981
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour 1968–1970
Big John, Little John 1976–1977
Birdman and The Galaxy Trio 1967-1968
The Bugaloos 1970–1972
Brains and Brawn 1993
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids 1973–74
California Dreams 1992–1997
Camp Candy 1989–1990
Captain N: The Game Master 1989–1992
The Champion Within with Lauren Thompson 2016–2020
The Chica Show 2013–2016
Chip and Pepper's Cartoon Madness 1991–1992
City Guys 1997–2002
Clangers 2015–2016
Consumer 101 2018–2021
Croc Files 2002–2005
Darcy's Wild Life 2004–2006
Down and Out with Donald Duck 1987
Double Up 1992
Earth to Luna! 2015–2016
Earth Odyssey with Dylan Dreyer 2019–present
Endurance 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2004–2006
Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series 1987–1988
Flight 29 Down 2005–2006
The Flintstones 1966-1970, 1981
The Flintstone Comedy Show 1980-1982
The Flintstone Funnies 1982-1984 (reruns of The Flintstone Comedy Show)
Floogals 2016
The Gary Coleman Show 1982–1983
Give 2016–2018
The Godzilla/Dynomutt Hour with the Funky Phantom 1980
Godzilla 1978–1981
Gravedale High 1990
Hang Time 1995–2001
Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward 2022–present
Health + Happiness with Mayo Clinic 2018
Hong Kong Phooey 1978, 1980–1981
Hoppity Hooper 1963–1966
H.R. Pufnstuf 1969–1970
I'm Telling! 1987–1988
The Incredible Hulk 1982–1983
It's Punky Brewster 1985–1987, 1988–1989
Jacob Two-Two 2006-2007, 2009
Jane and the Dragon 2006-2008, 2009–2010, 2012
Jeff Corwin Unleashed 2003–2005
The Jetsons 1966-1967, 1971–1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
Journey with Dylan Dreyer 2016–2018
Just Deal 2000–2002
Justin Time 2012–2014
The Karate Kid 1989–1990
Kenny the Shark 2003–2005, 2006
The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! 1981–1982
Kid 'n Play 1990–1991
Kidd Video 1984–1987
Kimba the White Lion 1965–1980
Kissyfur 1986–1990
Land of the Lost 1974–1976, 1978
LarryBoy Adventures 2006-2007
LazyTown 2012-2016
The Magic School Bus 2010-2011
Make Way for Noddy 2013–2014
Mister T 1983–1986
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild 2023-present
Name Your Adventure 1992–1995
Naturally, Danny Seo 2016–2019
NBA Inside Stuff 1990–2002
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon 1979–1980, 1982–1983
The New Archie and Sabrina Hour 1977
A New Leaf 2019–2020
Nina's World 2016
Noodle and Doodle 2012–2016
One Team: The Power of Sports 2021–present
One World 1998–2001
Operation Junkyard 2002–2003
The New Fred and Barney Show 1979-1980
Pajanimals 2012–2014
Pearlie 2010-2012
The Pink Panther Show 1969–1978
Poppy Cat 2012-2013, 2014-2015
Prehistoric Planet 2002–2003
ProStars 1991-1992
Return to the Planet of the Apes 1975–1976
The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show 1961–1964, 1981–1982
The Roman Holidays 1972
Roots Less Traveled 2020–present
The Ruff and Reddy Show 1957–1958
Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave 2015–2016
Running the Halls 1993-1994
Saved by the Bell 1989–1993; (produced by NBC Productions)
Saved by the Bell: The New Class 1993–2000
Scout's Safari 2002–2004
Sealab 2020 1972–73
Shelldon 2009-2012
Shirley Temple's Storybook 1958-1961
Shirt Tales 1982-1984
Sigmund and the Sea Monsters 1973–1975
Sk8 2001–2002
Skunked TV 2004
The Smurfs 1981–1989
Snorks 1984–1986
Space Cats 1991–1992
The Space Kidettes 1966–1967
Space Sentinels 1977–1978
Speed Buggy 1977
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends 1981–1986
Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973–1975
Strange Days at Blake Holsey High 2002–2005
Super Mario World 1991–1992
Terrific Trucks 2015–2016
Time Warp Trio 2005–2006
Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls 2003–2006
Turbo Dogs 2008-2009, 2010–2011
Tutenstein 2003–2006
Top Cat 1966, 1967, 1968–1969
The Gumby Show 1956–1959
Underdog 1964-1966, 1968–1970, 1972–1973
VeggieTales 2006-2009
Vets Saving Pets 2018–present
The Voyager with Josh Garcia 2016–present
Walking with Dinosaurs 2002–2003
Walking with Prehistoric Beasts 2002–2003
The Wiggles 2012–2013
Wild Child 2021–present
Wilderness Vet with Dr. Oakley 2016-2018
Willa's Wild Life 2009-2012
Wish Kid 1991-1992
Yo Yogi! 1991–1992
The Zula Patrol 2008-2009, 2012
Zou 2014

Saturday morning preview specials

[edit]
Main article: Saturday morning preview specials

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Holz, Jo (2017). Kids' TV Grows Up: The Path from Howdy Doody to SpongeBob. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-6874-1.
  2. ^ Landrea Wells. "Children and Television". University of Florida. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Walsh, Mark (October 7, 1992). "TV Stations Faulted for Dearth of Educational Fare". Education Week. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Sharbutt, Jay (January 25, 1992). "'Toon wars continue: NBC to bow out Aug.1". Press-Republican. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Andrews, Edmund L. (March 4, 1993). "'Flintstones' and Programs Like It Aren't Educational, F.C.C. Says". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Bernstein, Paula (December 4, 2001). "Discovery set to kid around with Peacock". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  7. ^ "Adults 'Discover' kiddie programs". Variety. Reed Business Information. 2003. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  8. ^ Oei, Lily (April 2, 2002). "Discovery Kids sets NBC sked". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  9. ^ Umstead, Thomas (December 7, 2001). "Discovery Gets NBC Kids' Block". Multichannel News. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  10. ^ Oei, Lily; McClintock, Pamela (November 6, 2003). "Kids mixed on new skeds". Variety. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  11. ^ Oei, Lily (August 24, 2003). "Nets face back to school blues". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  12. ^ Riddell, Robert (March 19, 2006). "Discovery Kids parts with NBC". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  13. ^ Crupi, Anthony (March 16, 2006). "Discovery, NBC to End Sat. Kids Block". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
  14. ^ Hampp, Andrew (August 24, 2006). "NBC Debuts Kids Programming Brand Qubo". Advertising Age. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  15. ^ Clemens, Luis (February 16, 2008). "Qubo's Rodriguez: Offering a 'Building Block' to Kids". Multichannel News. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  16. ^ "God references quashed; 'VeggieTales creator steamed". CNN. Associated Press. September 22, 2006. Archived from the original on October 4, 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  17. ^ Weisman, Jon (March 28, 2012). "NBC to launch Saturday kids block". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  18. ^ Rubino, Lindsay (March 28, 2012). "NBC, With Assist From Sprout, to Launch Saturday Morning Preschool Block". Multichannel News. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "NBC Will Launch NBC Kids, a New Saturday Morning Preschool Block Programmed by Sprout®, Saturday, July 7". MarketWatch. March 28, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "NBC AND LITTON ENTERTAINMENT EXPAND ICONIC 'THE MORE YOU KNOW' PLATFORM INTO NEW THREE-HOUR SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAMMING BLOCK" (Press release). Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  21. ^ "NBC, Litton Partner on 'The More You Know' Block". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Children%27s_programming_on_NBC&oldid=1265428785"