Bohbot Kids Network
| Network | Broadcast syndication |
|---|---|
| Launched | September 13, 1992 |
| Closed | October 20, 2000 2001 (on The WB 100+ Station Group) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Owner | BKN, Inc. |
| Formerly known as | Amazin' Adventures (1992–1997) |
| Format | animated series |
| Running time | 2 hours per week (1992–1996) 7 hours per week (1996–1997) 12 hours per week (1997–2000) |
| Original language(s) | English |
Bohbot Kids Network (more commonly referred to and on-screen as BKN, originally known as Amazin' Adventures until 1997) is a defunct children's programming block operated by Bohbot Entertainment (later BKN, Inc.) that aired in syndicated television stations from September 13, 1992 to October 20, 2000.[1]
History
On September 13, 1992, Bohbot Entertainment launched Amazin' Adventures, a syndicated action-oriented block that aired for two hours on Sundays. Byrne Enterprises sold barter for the block.[2] During the 1996–1997 season, Amazin' Adventures also aired for an hour on weekdays.
Amazin' Adventures was re-launched as Bohbot Kids Network (BKN) in September 1997.[3] By 1997, the network had signed up 104 stations reaching 75% of the US, with 65 stations airing BKN in pattern and 35 stations signing on for three years. Stations that aired the BKN block included BHC Communications stations,[4] WCIU-TV,[5] WPGH-TV, and The WB 100+ Station Group. During BKN's first season, its programs were split into three blocks: the "Extreme Block" (Extreme Dinosaurs and Extreme Ghostbusters) and the "Comedy Block" (The Mask: Animated Series and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog) on weekdays, and "Amazin’ Adventures" (Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys) on weekends.[5]
On August 29, 1999, BKN was re-positioned as an action-oriented block; it was referred to internally as "Bulldog TV" because the block's bumpers featured an animated bulldog.
Bulldog TV stopped airing on most stations in 2000, but The WB 100+ Station Group continued to air reruns of BKN shows during the 2000–2001 season. During this time, BKN had their shows aired on the Sci-Fi Channel on weekday mornings.
Programming
- Saban's Around the World in Eighty Dreams (1992–1993)
- Saban’s Gulliver’s Travels (1992–1993)
- King Arthur and the Knights of Justice (1992–1996)
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993–1998)
- Double Dragon (1993–1995, 1999–2000)
- Hurricanes (1993–1994)
- Mighty Max (1993–1995, 1998–1999)
- Turbocharged Thunderbirds (1994–1995)
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1994-1996)
- A.J.'s Time Travelers (1994-1995)
- Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders (1995–1997)
- Ultraforce (1995–1996)
- Skysurfer Strike Force (1995–1997)
- Street Sharks (1995–1997, 1999–2000)[6]
- Action Man (1995-1996)
- Gadget Boy and Heather (1995-1996)
- Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys (1996–1998)
- The Mask: Animated Series (1996–1998)
- Extreme Dinosaurs (1997–1998)
- Extreme Ghostbusters (1997–2000)
- Jumanji (1998–1999)[7]
- Pocket Dragon Adventures (1998–1999)
- Mummies Alive! (1998–2000)
- Sonic Underground (1999-2000)
- Monster Rancher (1999–2000)
- Rambo: The Force of Freedom (1999–2000)
- Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles (1999–2000)
- Roswell Conspiracies: Aliens, Myths and Legends (1999–2000)
BKN Kids II
| Network | Broadcast syndication |
|---|---|
| Launched | August 29, 1999 |
| Closed | October 20, 2000 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Owner | BKN, Inc. |
| Format | animated series |
| Running time | 4 hours (weekdays) |
| Original language(s) | English |
BKN Kids II (branded as BKN on-air) is a children's programming block operated by Bohbot Entertainment that aired in syndication from August 29, 1999 to October 20, 2000.[1]
History
With multiple offers in top 50 markets for the Bohbot Kids Network, Bohbot Entertainment scheduled the launch of a second syndication network, BKN Kids II, for September 1998 to meet the demand. BE also looked for shows from other syndicators to include in BKN Kids II.[3] With financial setbacks that had happened in the past, a consortium of banks gave Bohbot $100 million in new financing in September 1998. Two new blocks were announced at the same time as well as the new chairman/CEO of Bohbot Kids Network, Rick Ungar. BKN also indicated that long-term network affiliation agreements were under close to being finalized with Chris-Craft/United Television, Tribune Broadcasting, Paramount Stations Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group and the WB network's WeB fill-in cable network.[8]
Station groups affiliating with BKN 2 at launch included Sinclair Broadcast Group, Tribune Broadcasting, Clear Channel Communications and ACME Communications. Bohbot planned to use several of its library series, Mighty Max, Highlander: The Animated Series, The Mask: The Animated Series, and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog to fill out the schedule.[3] The block's launch was postponed to August 29, 1999. BKN and BKN Kids II did not initially share programming as to grant the networks Syndex protection.[3]
As with the main block, BKN Kids II ceased broadcast on October 20, 2000.
Programming
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
- Beakman's World
- Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys
- Extreme Dinosaurs
- Highlander: The Animated Series
- Jumanji
- King Arthur and the Knights of Justice
- Mighty Max
- Pocket Dragon Adventures
- Skysurfer Strike Force
- Sonic Underground
References
- ^ a b "BKN Kids bites dust". Broadcasting. 2000-10-22. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 26. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ a b c d Issue 3.2. "Bohbot Syndicating Second Kids Net". Animation World Magazine. May 1998. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Schlosser, Joe (October 5, 1998). "Bohbot zigs out of syndication". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Bohbot Star Search". Variety. March 23, 1997. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Kirchdoerffer, Ed (March 1, 1996). "Bohbot expands promos". Kidscreen. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Issue 2.11. Kenyon, Heather (February 1998). "NATPE 1998: It's A Tough Market But Someone is Selling..." Animation World Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Freeman, Michael (September 28, 1998). "Bohbot's 2000 Kids Tour". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.