Wikipedia

KidsCo

KidsCo was an international children's television channel active from 2007 until 2014. It was a joint venture between Corus Entertainment, DIC Entertainment (later part of Cookie Jar Group) and NBCUniversal whose content was mainly commissioned by DIC and Corus subsidiary Nelvana. At its peak in 2011, it was available in at least 95 countries in 18 languages.[2]

KidsCo
Channel's logo from 2012 until its closure.
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaEurope, Asia, Africa, Australia
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Programming
Language(s)Various
Picture format480i (SDTV)
576i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerNBCUniversal (33%, later expanded to 51%)
Corus Entertainment (33%, later expanded to 43.8%)
DiC Entertainment/Cookie Jar Group (33%, until May 2012)
History
FoundedApril 2007
LaunchedSeptember 7, 2007 (Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Russia)
January 8, 2008 (Asia, South Africa, Middle East)[1]
April 10, 2008 (Africa)
May 9, 2008 (Spain)
May 12, 2008 (Hong Kong)
November 15, 2009 (Australia)
November 27, 2009 (Greece)
May 1, 2010 (South Africa)
ClosedMay 5, 2013 (Poland)
December 31, 2013 (Europe)
February 13, 2014 (Southeast Asia and Australia)
2014 (all countries)
Links
Websitekidscotv.tv

In early 2014, it was shut down by its owners, in light of NBCUniversal's acquisition of US children's network Sprout and "growing challenges in the international children's television industry". The network was based in London at the time of its closure.[3]

History

 
Original logo used from 2007 to 2012

KidsCo was co-founded by former BBC Radio 1 controller Paul Robinson, citing an increasing focus on older "tween" audiences by mainstream counterparts Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.[2] He served as managing director of the network through 2011.[4] Funding was provided in the form of a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (the owner of Nelvana), DIC Entertainment and Sparrowhawk Media Group (later purchased by media conglomerate NBCUniversal).[5][6]

Although numerous claims had been made of an imminent UK launch since 2007,[7][8][9][10][11] the channel never had an official presence in the country because as of 2011 market conditions meant a launch would not be commercially viable.[12][13] Plans had also been discussed for a potential expansion throughout France, Germany, Italy and Latin America, but this did not transpire.[2][7][14]

The channel was first launched in Poland, Romania and Turkey on September 7, 2007, as well as in Hungary and Russia.[15][failed verification] On January 1, 2008, KidsCo launched in the Philippines on SkyCable and on Showtime Arabia on March 20, 2008.[16] On the first trimester of 2009 the channel was launched in Portugal on Optimus Clix. The channel become available also on Vodafone Casa TV platform on July 25, 2010.[17]

On November 15, 2009, KidsCo launched on Australian platform Foxtel.[18] That same month, it launched in Greece on Conn-x TV[19] and in Cyprus on CytaVision.[20] In November 2010 it additionally launched on IPTV in Greece.[21] It launched on South African platforms TopTV on May 1, 2010[22] and DStv on July 12, 2010.[23][24]

In May 2012, Cookie Jar's minority shares in KidsCo were brought by NBCUniversal and Corus, which saw NBCUniversal become the majority shareholder at 51% while Corus obtained a 43.8% share.[25][26]

On January 8, 2013, KidsCo began broadcasting from Corus Quay in Toronto.[27] At the same time, a refreshed schedule, on-air look and website were also introduced.[28] In February 2013, as part of a joint venture with NBC, it launched a new programming block titled Syfy Kids, which was expanded to Asia two months later.[29][30]

On April 30, 2013, KidsCo was closed on some Polish cable networks, and on others on May 5.[31][32]

By late 2013, citing "growing challenges in the international children's television industry", and the addition of the competing USA channel Sprout to NBC's portfolio due to its recent acquisition by Comcast, KidsCo announced that it would shut down in early 2014.[33]

The main KidsCo feed in Europe closed down on January 1 (New Year's Day 2014), followed by its feeds in Southeast Asia and Australia on February 13. On VOO, the channel was replaced by Piwi+.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "WildBrain". Archived from the original on January 19, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Globetrotter KidsCo wants success closer to home". The Telegraph. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "TV KidsCo". LSC. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  4. ^ Roxborough, Scott (March 27, 2014). "MIPTV: Former KidsCo CEO Paul Robinson Joins Germany's Your Family Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "DIC Entertainment". web.archive.org. January 15, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Haycock, Gavin (August 28, 2007). "NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media". Reuters. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Ramsay, Fiona (March 26, 2008). "NBC Universal kids' channel seeks brand sponsorships". Campaign Live. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "Licence Details for KIDSCO". Ofcom. October 19, 2007. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009.
  9. ^ "KidsCo signs three-year deal with the BBC". Broadcastnow. September 2, 2008. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "KidsCo expands into five new markets". Media Week. September 3, 2009. Archived from the original on September 18, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  11. ^ "KidsCo eyes 2010 launch". Broadcastnow. October 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  12. ^ "Cost hurdles block KidsCo UK launch". C21 Media. July 8, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  13. ^ "KidsCo looking at UK channel launch". Digital Spy. July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  14. ^ "Expert views on KidsCo". The Telegraph. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "About NBC Universal Global Networks". Terms of Service. NBC Universal. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  16. ^ "New channel on SHOWTIME". Showtimearabia.com. December 31, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008.
  17. ^ "C21Media". Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  18. ^ "FOXTEL NEXT GENERATION – Giving Viewers What They Want When They Want it" (Press release). Foxtel. November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  19. ^ "KidsCo to Launch in Greece". Animation World Network. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  20. ^ "Cyta: TV". cytavision.com.cy. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  21. ^ "KidsCo launches on Greek IPTV". Latest News. Digital TVEurope.net. November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "Welcome to TopTV". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  23. ^ Chris Forrester (July 6, 2010). "KidsCo gets DStv feed". RapidTVNews. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  24. ^ Jane Muirhead (January 8, 2008). "KidsCo expands to Asia, South Africa and Middle East". Press. NBC Universal Global Networks. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  25. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (May 14, 2012). "NBCUniversal, Corus up their stakes in KidsCo". Kids Screen. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  26. ^ Szalai, Georg (May 14, 2012). "NBCUniversal International Raises Stakes in Children's Channel KidsCo". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  27. ^ "Press Release - KidsCo Transmits From Corus Quay Starting January 8, 2013". Corus Entertainment. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  28. ^ Knox, David (September 27, 2012). "KidsCo to refresh with Zuzu". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  29. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (February 6, 2013). "KidsCo to launch first Syfy children's block". KidScreen. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  30. ^ Ng-See-Quan, Danielle (April 16, 2013). "KidsCo sends new Syfy block to Asia". KidScreen. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  31. ^ "Kanał KidsCo kończy nadawanie w Polsce | Polonica". SATKurier.pl. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  32. ^ "KidsCo kończy nadawanie w Polsce 5 maja | Polonica". SATKurier.pl. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  33. ^ Vlessing, Etan (November 18, 2013). "NBCUniversal, Corus to Shutter KidsCo Network in Early 2014". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
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