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List of programs broadcast by Universal Kids
List of programs broadcast by Universal Kids
List of programs broadcast by Universal Kids
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This is a list of television programs formerly broadcast by Universal Kids and its preschool brand Sprout in the United States.

Former programming

[edit]

Original programming

[edit]

Animated

[edit]
DreamWorks Animation Television
[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Source(s)
DreamWorks Dragons September 10, 2017 January 28, 2024
All Hail King Julien August 22, 2022
The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show April 15, 2018 January 25, 2023
The Adventures of Puss in Boots October 13, 2018 March 5, 2025
Dinotrux April 8, 2019 April 10, 2024
Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh April 27, 2019 March 27, 2024
Where's Waldo? July 20, 2019 December 25, 2024 [a]
Powerbirds January 19, 2020 January 3, 2025 [b][1]
Trolls: The Beat Goes On! November 16, 2020 March 5, 2025 [2]
Press Start! December 14, 2024 [b][c]

Universal Animation Studios

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Source(s)
The Land Before Time January 14, 2017 December 29, 2019

Live-action

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Source(s)
Top Chef Junior October 13, 2017 December 1, 2018
The Noise October 23, 2017 April 23, 2020
Beat the Clock February 6, 2018 July 8, 2019
Life Hacks for Kids: On the Road March 3, 2018 September 30, 2018
Junk Drawer Magical Adventures May 12, 2018 January 20, 2020
Get Out of My Room June 16, 2018 August 30, 2024
American Ninja Warrior Junior October 13, 2018 June 12, 2020 [a]
Team Ninja Warrior January 12, 2019 2021
Bajillionaires April 10, 2020 2021 [3]

Preschool

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
The Many Adventures of Mr. Mailman July 3, 2006 July 3, 2010
Pajanimals November 3, 2008 May 20, 2018 [d]
Noodle and Doodle September 25, 2010 July 6, 2017 [d]
The Chica Show November 19, 2012 December 25, 2024 [d]
Astroblast! July 12, 2014 May 20, 2018 [d]
Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave February 14, 2015 March 5, 2025 [d]
Nina's World September 26, 2015 December 25, 2024 [d]
Floogals January 23, 2016 March 5, 2025 [d]
Terrific Trucks July 9, 2016 December 25, 2024 [d]
Noddy, Toyland Detective September 3, 2016 2021
Dot. October 22, 2016 December 24, 2023 [4]
The Ollie & Moon Show May 27, 2017 2021 [5]
Kody Kapow July 15, 2017 May 19, 2024
School of Roars August 12, 2017 April 14, 2018
Olivia November 20, 2017 2021
The Big Fun Crafty Show May 19, 2018 December 3, 2023
Get Up and Move April 22, 2019 July 7, 2019
Norman Picklestripes July 27, 2019 April 22, 2024
Remy & Boo May 1, 2020 January 2, 2025 [6]
Superbuns April 28, 2024 December 25, 2024 [c]
Dino Pops June 1, 2024 December 7, 2024 [c]
Li'l Stompers December 28, 2024 [c]
Tea Town Teddy Bears November 16, 2024 December 21, 2024 [c]

Acquired programming

[edit]

Animated

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
The Three Friends and Jerry 2005 2006 [7]
Dennis & Gnasher
The Jungle Bunch March 19, 2016 2021
The Deep September 10, 2017 2021
Inspector Gadget November 20, 2017
Totally Spies! June 24, 2019 2020
Polly Pocket July 1, 2019 2024 [e]
Mighty Mike September 2, 2019 May 15, 2022

Live-action

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
Bounce 2007 2009
Nowhere Boys September 9, 2017 March 15, 2020
The Next Step August 16, 2019
Little Big Shots July 2018
Officially Amazing
Hank Zipzer December 27, 2019
Little Lunch 2019
Bear Grylls Survival School July 8, 2019
Mako Mermaids November 18, 2017 November 8, 2019
The Amazing Extraordinary Friends January 1, 2018 2018
Airmageddon
Big Star Little Star February 10, 2018
Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch June 17, 2018
Mighty Mustangs June 9, 2018 2018
Driving Me Crazy July 8, 2019
Tricked
Annedroids August 11, 2018 September 1, 2018
The Voice Kids October 20, 2018 December 1, 2019
Find Me in Paris June 2, 2019 January 23, 2020
Just Add Magic June 9, 2019 November 22, 2019
Holly Hobbie December 5, 2019 January 23, 2020 [8]

Preschool

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
Pingu September 26, 2005 April 23, 2009
Big Sister, Little Brother August 18, 2009
Kipper July 26, 2015
The Hoobs December 25, 2006 February 13, 2009
Fireman Sam September 26, 2007 July 6, 2014
Play with Me Sesame 2016
Fifi and the Flowertots January 14, 2008 February 13, 2012
Panwapa January 19, 2008 August 6, 2009
Pic Me May 5, 2008 May 5, 2011
Dive, Olly, Dive! June 7, 2008 August 10, 2014
Frances June 20, 2008 October 1, 2009
Roary the Racing Car September 26, 2008 July 7, 2012
The Mighty Jungle April 24, 2009 March 24, 2013
Rubbadubbers August 20, 2009 November 6, 2011
The Wiggles August 24, 2009 2021 [d]
Dirtgirlworld April 22, 2010 November 6, 2012
Nina's Little Fables June 28, 2010 December 9, 2013
Chloe's Closet July 12, 2010 May 20, 2018
Monkey See, Monkey Do August 24, 2010 August 18, 2013
Driver Dan's Story Train November 1, 2010 October 31, 2013
What's Your News? December 31, 2010 February 23, 2014
LazyTown September 5, 2011 September 26, 2016 [d]
Poppy Cat November 7, 2011 [d]
Justin Time April 22, 2012 June 19, 2015 [d]
64 Zoo Lane August 27, 2012 July 26, 2015
Olive the Ostrich
Wibbly Pig
Tree Fu Tom April 22, 2013 September 26, 2016 [d]
Sarah & Duck August 19, 2013 February 13, 2019
Zou September 2, 2013 May 20, 2018 [d]
Stella and Sam November 1, 2013
Zerby Derby March 1, 2014
Lily's Driftwood Bay May 12, 2014
Earth to Luna! August 16, 2014 September 26, 2016 [d]
Boj October 11, 2014
Super Wings March 14, 2015 2021
Clangers June 20, 2015 May 20, 2018 [d]
Maya the Bee September 26, 2015 June 1, 2018
Sydney Sailboat May 20, 2019
YaYa and Zouk February 20, 2016
Little People March 7, 2016 February 23, 2017
The Doozers May 28, 2016 2021
The Furchester Hotel September 26, 2016 March 2, 2019
Topsy and Tim June 17, 2017 May 19, 2020
Ranger Rob July 8, 2017 April 5, 2019
Masha and the Bear July 17, 2017 March 5, 2025
Little Roy November 20, 2017 December 28, 2019
Ollie! The Boy Who Became What He Ate June 3, 2018
Charlie and Lola December 9, 2017 December 9, 2018
Pablo April 2, 2018 August 28, 2018
Dino Dan October 6, 2018 2021
Go Jetters November 5, 2018 March 5, 2025
Moon and Me May 20, 2019 2021
Cocomelon June 21, 2021 March 5, 2025 [9]
European co-productions
[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
The Makery May 24, 2024 May 27, 2024 [c]

Programming from PBS Kids

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
Boohbah September 26, 2005 December 19, 2009
Jay Jay the Jet Plane September 2, 2008
Bob the Builder July 7, 2019
Barney & Friends January 25, 2020
Dragon Tales August 31, 2010
Thomas & Friends July 26, 2015
Make Way for Noddy [d]
Sesame Street
The Berenstain Bears September 9, 2017 [10]
Teletubbies September 5, 2009
Angelina Ballerina July 26, 2015
Caillou March 31, 2019
Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat March 16, 2009
Zoboomafoo February 13, 2012
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks July 3, 2008
Kratts' Creatures 2005 2006
Franny's Feet July 4, 2008 August 18, 2013
Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies January 26, 2009 October 24, 2012
Super Why! March 21, 2011 September 26, 2015
Sid the Science Kid March 25, 2013 October 3, 2014
Space Racers October 31, 2016 October 25, 2020

Short-form programming

[edit]
Title Premiere date End date Source(s)
Sing It, Laurie! March 25, 2013 March 25, 2016
Snug's House August 19, 2017 2020
NBC News for Universal Kids September 29, 2018 April 6, 2019
Mofy May 20, 2019 2020
Masha and the Bear: Nursery Rhymes January 2, 2021 March 4, 2025
Babble Bop! August 29, 2022 December 29, 2023 [c]
Masha and the Bear Shorties November 3, 2023 March 4, 2025
Masha's Karaoke and Songs November 9, 2023 March 5, 2025

Blocks

[edit]

The programming blocks below were all shown under the Sprout banner.

Title Premiere date End date Note(s)
The Birthday Show September 26, 2005 May 12, 2009
The Good Night Show March 31, 2017
Sprout Diner September 18, 2006 September 20, 2008
Sprout Sharing Show May 5, 2008 May 11, 2014
The Let's Go Show June 25, 2007 September 24, 2010
Musical Mornings with Coo September 26, 2007 August 21, 2009
The Sunny Side Up Show August 11, 2017
Wiggly Waffle August 24, 2009 March 22, 2013
The Super Sproutlet Show February 14, 2012 June 19, 2015
Family Movie Night September 26, 2015 September 8, 2017

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of programs broadcast by Universal Kids

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The List of programs broadcast by Universal Kids encompasses the diverse array of television series, both original and acquired, that aired on the American channel from its inception as Sprout in 2005 until its shutdown in 2025. Originally launched on September 26, 2005, as PBS Kids Sprout—a between (now under ), , , and —the network targeted preschool-aged children with educational and interactive programming. By 2013, had acquired full ownership, consolidating control over the channel's direction. In 2017, the network underwent a significant to on September 9, expanding its focus to children aged 2–12 and their families, with an emphasis on empowering young viewers through adventurous, skill-building, and family-oriented content. The channel's lineup included original productions such as , a cooking competition for young chefs hosted by , which premiered in October 2017, and American Ninja Warrior Junior, an obstacle course challenge series that debuted in 2018. Acquired programming featured animated series from , including adaptations of Trolls and , alongside adventure content like Bear Grylls: Survival School, a show acquired ahead of the rebrand. Earlier Sprout-era staples, such as interactive preschool shows like and licensed content from , continued to form the backbone of the schedule until the network's evolution. Universal Kids ceased operations on March 6, 2025, as part of NBCUniversal's broader strategy to spin off its cable networks amid declining linear TV viewership and a shift toward streaming platforms like Peacock. This list catalogs over 100 programs across categories like , live-action , and , reflecting the channel's two-decade from preschool-focused content to a multifaceted kids' network.

Original programming

Animated

Universal Kids produced and aired several original animated series, particularly following the 2017 rebrand, in collaboration with studios like and . These shows targeted children aged 2–12, blending adventure, education, and fantasy elements. Production of new originals tapered off after 2019, with reruns continuing until the channel's closure on March 6, 2025. Key series included Where's Waldo?, a production that premiered on July 20, 2019, and ran through December 25, 2024. Based on the classic book series, it follows Waldo and friends on global adventures solving mysteries and learning about cultures. The show spanned two seasons with 40 episodes. Another notable title was , an original animated series that debuted on July 27, 2019, and aired until April 22, 2024. Produced by Universal Kids Originals, it features a young inventor raccoon and his friends tackling everyday problems with creativity and , promoting STEM skills across two seasons and 52 episodes. , from DreamWorks, premiered on January 19, 2020, and continued with reruns to January 3, 2025. This superhero series follows animal heroes protecting the planet, emphasizing teamwork and environmental awareness in 26 episodes over one season. Earlier originals like Kody Kapow aired from July 15, 2017, to May 19, 2024, following a young martial artist using kung fu to solve problems and learn life lessons.
SeriesStudio/ProducerPremiere DateRun PeriodKey Details
Where's Waldo?July 20, 20192019–20242 seasons, 40 episodes; adventure and cultural learning based on books.
Universal Kids OriginalsJuly 27, 20192019–20242 seasons, 52 episodes; STEM-focused inventions and problem-solving.
PowerbirdsJanuary 19, 20202020–2025 (reruns)1 season, 26 episodes; superhero animals promoting .
Kody KapowJuly 15, 20172017–20242 seasons; adventures teaching values.

Live-action

Original live-action programming on Universal Kids focused on reality competitions, game shows, and skill-building series aimed at tweens and families, launching prominently after the 2017 rebrand to empower young viewers through challenges and creativity. These shows were produced in-house by , with many seasons airing until 2020 before shifting to streaming platforms like Peacock post-2025 shutdown. , hosted by , premiered on October 13, 2017, and ran for two seasons through December 1, 2018. The cooking competition featured young chefs aged 9–13 creating dishes with professional guidance, emphasizing culinary skills and healthy eating. American Ninja Warrior Junior debuted on October 13, 2018, spanning three seasons until June 12, 2020. Kids tackled obstacle courses inspired by the adult series, hosted by Akbar Gbajabiamila and , to build and perseverance. Reruns aired until 2025, with later seasons moving to Peacock. Game shows like , a revival of the classic format, aired from February 6, 2018, to July 8, 2019, where families completed timed stunts for prizes. The Noise, a music trivia competition, ran from October 23, 2017, to April 23, 2020, encouraging musical knowledge and performance. Other originals included , a makeover series from June 16, 2018, to August 30, 2024, and Junk Drawer Magical Adventures, a DIY magic show from May 12, 2018, to January 20, 2020.

Preschool

Original preschool programming formed the core of ' early years as Sprout, featuring interactive, educational content for ages 2–5 produced or co-produced by the network in partnership with entities like and . These shows emphasized social-emotional learning, creativity, and bedtime routines, with many continuing as reruns into the until the 2025 closure. The Chica Show, a puppet-live action hybrid, premiered on November 19, 2012, and aired through December 25, 2024. It follows a young chicken learning about family and emotions in a bilingual format across four seasons. Pajanimals, a co-production with The Jim Henson Company, debuted on November 3, 2008, and ran until May 20, 2018. The series features four animal friends on imaginative bedtime adventures to conquer fears, with 56 episodes over three seasons. Nina's World, an animated series, premiered on September 26, 2015, continuing to December 25, 2024. It depicts a multicultural exploring her neighborhood and imagination, promoting curiosity and diversity in three seasons. Additional originals included (September 25, 2010 – July 6, 2017), an arts-and-crafts show, and (January 23, 2016 – March 5, 2025), about alien explorers learning about Earth. Later additions like Remy & Boo (May 1, 2020 – January 2, 2025) focused on friendship between a girl and her stuffed animals. In the channel's final years, these preschool staples rotated in morning blocks, supporting early learning amid reduced new productions.

Acquired programming

Animated

Following the 2017 rebrand of the channel from Sprout to Universal Kids, NBCUniversal significantly expanded its lineup of acquired animated series, leveraging the 2016 purchase of DreamWorks Animation to integrate content from that studio alongside international co-productions. This approach accelerated in 2019 when the network discontinued in-house original productions, shifting entirely to licensed external animations to target children aged 2-11 with diverse, adventure-focused programming. These acquisitions emphasized educational and entertaining series from global producers, often featuring reruns and themed marathon blocks for extended viewing sessions. Key examples include , a South Korean-Chinese co-production by FunnyFlux Entertainment and , which debuted on the channel (then Sprout) in March 2015 and featured reruns through 2025. The series follows a transforming jet plane named Jett delivering packages worldwide while solving problems with his friends, promoting cultural awareness and problem-solving. Another prominent addition was , the animated series from Treasure Studio (formerly ABCkidTV), acquired in June 2021 and becoming a cornerstone of the schedule in the channel's final years, with frequent marathon blocks of sing-along episodes to engage audiences. DreamWorks Animation contributed several high-profile titles, such as TrollsTopia, which premiered on in November 2020 alongside its streaming debut on Peacock and . The series, spanning seven seasons through August 2022 with reruns extending to the channel's 2025 closure, depicts musical adventures among troll tribes in a harmonious kingdom, blending pop songs and fantasy elements. In 2024, the channel added Dino Pops, a South Korean animated series from that aired from June 1 until December 7, 2024. This short-run program follows a band of dinosaur musicians blending prehistoric life with modern pop themes to teach about music and .
SeriesStudio/ProducerAcquisition/Premiere DateRun PeriodKey Details
FunnyFlux Entertainment / March 20152015–2025 (reruns)International co-production; 7 seasons; focuses on global delivery adventures and cultural learning.
Treasure StudioJune 20212021–2025YouTube-originated nursery rhymes; marathon blocks emphasized in later years; over 1,000 episodes available.
TrollsTopiaNovember 20202020–2025 (reruns post-2022)7 seasons, 78 episodes; musical fantasy based on the Trolls film franchise.
Dino PopsJune 1, 20242024 (June 1 – December 7)Korean series; 1 season; dinosaur pop band promoting .

Live-action

Universal Kids featured a selection of live-action series acquired from international sources to appeal to its tween audience following the 2017 rebrand from Sprout, emphasizing dramas, adventures, and reality formats that encouraged teamwork and personal growth. One prominent acquisition was The Next Step, a Canadian dance drama produced by , which Universal Kids obtained in 2017, covering seasons 1 through 5 initially and partnering on season 6. The series, centering on competitive teen dancers at a studio striving for national championships across its seven seasons, aired regularly on the network until 2020. Another key import was , an Australian fantasy adventure from Matchbox Pictures, acquired as part of the 2017 launch lineup with its U.S. premiere on September 10. This four-season series follows four teenage boys lost in a parallel world where they never existed, blending mystery and supernatural elements as they navigate alternate realities to return home. Season 4 debuted on Universal Kids in late 2018. In the reality genre, Bear Grylls: Survival School was acquired in 2017 ahead of the rebrand, premiering on the network on September 9, 2017, for its single season. Hosted by adventurer , the British series challenges groups of preteens and teens with wilderness survival tasks in , , promoting resilience and outdoor skills without modern technology. These acquisitions aligned with Universal Kids' post-rebrand strategy to target tweens aged 6-11 with engaging, skill-building content, complementing original live-action competitions like American Ninja Warrior Junior. Reruns of select series, including The Next Step and Nowhere Boys, continued until around 2020. Following the shutdown, continuations of franchise elements, such as American Ninja Warrior Junior seasons, shifted exclusively to NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service. International specials tied to popular properties also appeared sporadically; for instance, live-action adaptations or hybrid events inspired by aired in limited windows from 2023 to 2025, though the core series remained animated.

Preschool

Universal Kids' acquired preschool programming primarily consisted of gentle, educational sourced from international producers, designed for children aged 2-5 and emphasizing moral lessons through everyday adventures and problem-solving. These shows filled dedicated morning and afternoon dayparts, providing a mix of that promoted , , and curiosity without venturing into more action-oriented content. One key acquisition was Noddy, Toyland Detective, a French-British co-produced animated mystery series featuring the classic Noddy character as a young detective solving whimsical puzzles in Toyland alongside his dog Bumpy and car Revs; it spanned two seasons with 52 episodes and aired from September 3, 2016, to 2021. Masha and the Bear, a Russian animated series following the mischievous girl Masha and her patient bear friend as they navigate forest mishaps with humor and heart, was acquired in 2015 and premiered on the channel on July 17, 2017, continuing with ongoing reruns through the network's closure on March 6, 2025; the franchise exceeded 100 episodes across multiple seasons, including shorts. Caillou, a Canadian animated series depicting the daily life and imaginative explorations of a curious four-year-old boy and his family, originated from PBS programming and aired on Universal Kids from its Sprout era through March 31, 2019. Older acquisitions like The Berenstain Bears, an American animated adaptation of the beloved book series about a bear family's life lessons on topics such as honesty and family bonds, were retained from the PBS transition and featured in reruns through September 9, 2017. In the channel's final programming slate from 2023 to 2025, these international titles formed a core reliance for the 2-5 age demographic, often rotating in blocks to deliver consistent educational themes amid reduced new content production.

Special programming

PBS Kids programming

featured a selection of programming, particularly during its origins as the PBS Kids Sprout joint venture with and from 2005 to 2017, emphasizing and early elementary education aligned with U.S. academic standards in science, , and social-emotional development. After 's full acquisition and the 2017 rebrand to , content was reduced to a curated lineup of full-episode series, integrating with the channel's broader block while maintaining curriculum-based learning objectives. This programming continued sporadically until the channel's shutdown on March 6, 2025, amid declining cable viewership for children's networks. Key series from the Sprout era included Wild Kratts, which aired from 2011 to 2017 and followed brothers Chris and on creature-powered adventures to explore animal and conservation, producing over 140 episodes tied to STEM curricula. Examples of other content during this period include Super Why!, an interactive adventure series that aired on Sprout from 2007 to 2016. In later years, added select PBS titles to refresh its lineup.

Short-form programming

Short-form programming on Universal Kids encompassed brief, non-episodic segments such as bumpers, songs, and vignettes, typically under five minutes, designed to facilitate smooth transitions between full-length shows while delivering quick bursts of educational and entertaining content for and early school-age audiences. These pieces emphasized themes like , , and interaction, often encouraging viewer participation through simple activities or sing-alongs. Originating from the channel's roots as Sprout, which prioritized interactive elements to engage families, the short-form format evolved into more polished, digitally complementary content under the Universal Kids branding starting in 2017, tying into online extensions like videos for broader accessibility. A key example was , which featured craft segments hosted by Sean Roach and his puppet dog Noodle, airing from September 25, 2010, to May 14, 2017. These interstitials highlighted hands-on arts-and-crafts projects and healthy snack recipes using everyday household items, promoting family bonding and learning through guided demonstrations that viewers could replicate at home. The segments originated as short features within weekend programming before expanding slightly, but remained focused on concise, actionable ideas to fit between shows. Sprout House, later rebranded as Snug's House, consisted of live-action interstitials showcasing playful character interactions among Sprout favorites like Chica the Chicken and new Snug, running from August until around 2020. Hosted by veteran performer Carly Ciarrocchi, these segments included games, songs, and light educational skits in a cozy house setting, serving as engaging fillers that maintained the channel's preschool-friendly tone during morning blocks. They marked a shift from live interaction to pre-recorded formats, allowing for consistent airing across time zones. Following the 2017 rebrand, Universal Kids introduced short musical clips under the Universal Kids Songs banner, featuring original tunes that promoted positive themes such as and teamwork, which continued airing as interstitials until the channel's shutdown in early 2025. Examples included upbeat videos like " is a Muscle," encouraging emotional growth through catchy lyrics and animations. In April 2024, the channel debuted Superbuns shorts, brief vignettes from the Superbuns series centered on a bunny using to solve everyday challenges, adding fresh content to the lineup. Post-2023, these short-form elements saw heightened rotation during extended marathons, functioning as versatile filler to sustain viewer interest amid programming shifts. The overall approach reflected a progression from Sprout's hands-on, caller-driven interactivity to Universal Kids' seamless digital tie-ins, enhancing accessibility via streaming platforms. Occasionally, short-form crossovers from , such as quick educational clips, were integrated to complement the schedule.

Programming blocks

Universal Kids utilized themed programming blocks to structure its schedule around the daily routines of young viewers, particularly preschoolers during its early years as Sprout, before evolving to accommodate a broader audience following the rebrand. These blocks emphasized educational and entertaining content aligned with age-appropriate themes, such as bedtime wind-downs and daytime learning sessions. The served as a programming block from the channel's launch on September 26, 2005, until its discontinuation in 2017. Airing nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, it featured hosted segments with lullabies, stories, exercises, and interactive elements designed to guide preschoolers through calming routines. This block was integral to Sprout's original mission of parent-child shared viewing, incorporating and crafts to promote relaxation and family bonding. Following the September 9, 2017, rebrand to , the schedule shifted to include a dedicated daytime block that preserved much of Sprout's content focus, running approximately from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and later branded as Universal Kids . This block highlighted acquired and original programming, including animations tied to Universal franchises like DreamWorks, while evenings from 6:00 p.m. onward targeted tweens aged 6-11 with live-action adventures and animated series. The rebrand aimed to expand reach by aligning blocks with Universal's intellectual properties, such as DreamWorks content, to appeal to a wider demographic. In its later years, particularly after 2023, programming blocks increasingly incorporated marathon formats to promote cross-platform viewing on NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service, featuring extended airings of popular titles like Cocomelon and DreamWorks Animation shows. These marathons, such as the 24-hour Cocomelon Birthday Marathon in September 2024, continued through the channel's final months, emphasizing preschool and family-oriented content until the network's shutdown on March 6, 2025. Upon closure, on-screen messaging directed viewers to Peacock for continued access to the programming. Short-form content was occasionally integrated within these blocks to enhance engagement.

References

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  2. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/universal-kids-shut-down-march-cable-network-nbcu-1236273553/
  3. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304243904579196351406283562
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  11. https://kids.kiddle.co/Universal_Kids
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  20. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/bear-grylls-survival-school
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  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3508674/
  24. https://www.tvinsider.com/show/masha-and-the-bear/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1884856/
  26. https://archive.org/details/caillou-tv-series
  27. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/the-berenstain-bears
  28. https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sprout-house-universal-kids-comcast-nbcuniversal-snug-chica-1202522307/
  29. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sprout-to-celebrate-fifth-birthday-with-the-premiere-of-its-first-long-form-original-series-noodle-and-doodle-on-925-99319104.html
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcU33aFlBJ4
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDyJZktJJQ
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXAo_5voOP0
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IgrsLRug5s
  34. https://www.cmcsa.com/news-releases/news-release-details/pbs-kids-sprout-launches-new-247-preschool-network-today
  35. https://corporate.comcast.com/comcast-voices/sprout-the-network-parents-and-kids-share-together
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  37. https://www.c21media.net/sprout-grows-into-universal-kids/
  38. https://www.facebook.com/UniversalKids/posts/cocomelon-is-coming-to-universal-kids-get-your-little-ones-excited-to-sing-dance/1140837523048939/
  39. https://pbs-kids-sprout-universal-kids-sa.fandom.com/wiki/Events/Cocomelon%2520Birthday%2520Marathon
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