Editing Children's television series

{{short description|Television programs designed for and marketed to children}}
{{distinguish|Educational television|Instructional television|Non-commercial educational station}}
{{Redirect|Children's television|the company originally known as the "Children's Television Workshop"|Sesame Workshop}}
[[File:Sesame Street logo.svg|thumb|''[[Sesame Street]]'' is named as one of the most well-known children's television series.]]
'''Children's television series''' (or '''children's television shows''') are [[Television show|television programs]] designed specifically for [[Child|children]]. They are typically characterised by easy-going content devoid of sensitive or adult themes and are normally broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake, immediately before and after school schedules generally start in the country where they air. [[Educational television|Educational themes]] are also prevalent, as well as the transmission of cautionary tales and narratives that teach problem-solving methods in some fashion or another, such as social disputes.

The purpose of these shows, aside from profit, is mainly to entertain or educate children, with each series targeting a certain age of child: some are aimed at infants and toddlers,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here Are 25 Shows You Can Feel Good About Your 2-Year-Old Watching|url=https://www.romper.com/entertainment/the-best-shows-for-2-year-olds|access-date=2021-12-08|website=Romper|language=en}}</ref> some are aimed at those aged 6 to 11 years old, and others are aimed at all children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Working & Filming with Under 18's Guidelines {{!}} Channel 4|url=https://www.channel4.com/producers-handbook/c4-guidelines/working-and-filming-with-under-18s-guidelines|access-date=2021-12-08|website=www.channel4.com}}</ref> 

==History==
Children's television is nearly as old as television itself.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kids' TV Grows Up: The Path from Howdy Doody to SpongeBob|last=Holz|first=Jo|publisher=McFarland|year=2017|isbn=978-1-4766-6874-1|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=13–72}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the [[BBC]]'s ''[[For the Children]]'' was first broadcast in 1946, and in English-speaking circles, is generally credited with being the first TV programme specifically for children.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/june/for-the-children/|title=''For the Children'', the first children’s television programme - History of the BBC|access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref>

Some authors posit television for children tended to originate from similar programs on radio. For example, the BBC's ''[[Children's Hour]]'' was launched as a radio broadcast in 1922,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/research/programming/children-and-the-bbc|title=Children & the BBC: from Muffin the Mule to Tinky Winky|website=BBC|access-date=6 May 2018|archive-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602052749/http://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/research/programming/children-and-the-bbc|url-status=dead}}</ref> with [[BBC School Radio]] commencing live broadcasts in 1924.

In the early 1930s, radio [[Adventure fiction|adventure serials]] such as ''[[Little Orphan Annie (radio)|Little Orphan Annie]]'' began to emerge in the United States and became a staple of children's afternoon radio listening.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Little-Orphan-Annie-radio-program|publisher=Britannica |title=Little Orphan Annie &#124; radio program |access-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>

===Evolution of style in the US and beyond===
Early children's shows included ''[[Kukla, Fran and Ollie]]'' (1947), ''[[Howdy Doody]]'', and ''[[Captain Kangaroo]]''. Another show, ''[[Ding Dong School]]'', aired from 1952 to 1965. Its creator and host, [[Frances Horwich]], would sit in front of the camera and simulate small talk with the viewing audience at home, demonstrating basic skills for the camera.

This practice lives on in contemporary children's broadcasting as a genre in of itself, with Australia's ongoing program [[Play School (Australian TV series)|''Play School'']] one example.

At one time, a program called ''[[Winky Dink and You]]'' took a more interactive approach, prompting its viewers to affix a clear vinyl sheet to their television and draw pictures to match what was going on on-screen. This format did not persist, nor was it replicated, due to a number of factors unrelated to its popularity: children whose parents did not buy them the vinyl sheet would draw with crayons directly on the television screen itself, potentially causing expensive damage; there were also concerns that having children within arm's length of a television screen of the era could expose them to harmful radiation.<ref name=CNN-winkydink>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/31/opinion/greene-winky-dink-bill-gates/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7|title=Winky Dink and ... Bill Gates? |author=Bob Greene |author-link=Bob Greene |agency=[[CNN]]|date=March 31, 2013|accessdate=March 27, 2018}}</ref>

Later and more recognisably modern shows for young children include ''[[Sesame Street]]'', ''[[The Electric Company]]'' and ''[[Mister Rogers' Neighborhood]]''. In the 1990s, more children's television series such as ''[[Barney & Friends]],'' ''[[Blue's Clues]],'' ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]],'' ''[[Bear in the Big Blue House]],'' and ''[[The Big Comfy Couch]]'' were created.

A voluminous range of children's television programming now exists in the 2020s.

Notable successes outside the US include shows like ''[[Play School (UK TV series)|Play School]]'', ''[[Noggin the Nog]]'', ''[[Clangers]]'', ''[[Bagpuss]]'', ''[[Teletubbies]]'', ''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]'', ''[[Danger Mouse (1981 TV series)|Danger Mouse]]'', ''[[Count Duckula]]'', ''[[Mr. Men (TV series)|Mr. Men]]'' and ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' originating from the UK, ''[[Paw Patrol]]'' from Canada, ''[[The Magic Roundabout|Le Manege Enchantè]]'' from France, ''[[The Singing Ringing Tree]]'' from Germany, and ''[[Marine Boy]]'' and ''[[Pokémon (TV series)|Pokémon]]'' from Japan.

Canadian studio [[Nelvana]] is a particularly prolific producer of children's programming. Much of Nelvana's product is broadcast worldwide, especially in the US, where the similarities in dialect do not require any dubbing or localization.

=== Role of advertising ===
{{See also|Advertising to children|Television advertisement}}
In the United States, early children's television was often co-opted as a platform to market products and it rarely contained any educational elements (for instance, ''[[The Magic Clown]]'', a popular early children's program, was primarily an advertisement for Bonomo's [[Turkish taffy]].) In the early years of television, advertising to children posed a dilemma as most children have no [[disposable income]] of their own. As such, children's television was not a particularly high priority for the networks.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/08/bob-barker-saying-goodbye-price-right | title=Bob Barker on saying goodbye to ''The Price Is Right'' | first=Lynette | last=Rice | date=June 8, 2007 | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | access-date=April 30, 2016}}</ref>

This practice continued in a toned-down manner through the 1980s in the United States after the [[Federal Communications Commission]] prohibited tie-in advertising on broadcast television. These regulations did not apply to cable, which remains out of the reach of the FCC's content regulations.

Due in part to the success of ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]'',<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=404–405}}</ref> the 1980s saw a dramatic rise in television programs featuring characters of whom toy characters were being sold to retail consumers in bricks and mortar stores, underscoring the value potential of manufacturing merchandise for fans of children's programs. This practice remains firmly embedded in the broadcast sector's business case broadly in the 2020s.

Commercial-free children television was first introduced with ''[[Sesame Street]]'' on [[PBS]] in November 1969. It was produced by what is now known as [[Sesame Workshop]] (formerly Children's Television Workshop, known as CTW).

=== Saturday morning cartoon blocks ===
{{main|Saturday morning cartoon}}

In the United States, Saturday mornings were generally scheduled with cartoons from the 1960s to 1980s.

In 1992, teen comedies and a "Today" show weekend edition were first to displace the cartoon blocks on NBC.<ref name="wp">{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Gail|title=Saturday morning cartoons are no more|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/30/saturday-morning-cartoons-are-no-more/|access-date=October 2, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> Starting in September 2002, the networks turned to affiliated cable cartoon channels or outside programmers for their blocks.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Paula|title=Kid skeds tread on joint strategy|url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/kid-skeds-tread-on-joint-strategy-1117873477/|access-date=October 2, 2014|work=Variety|date=September 29, 2002}}</ref>

On September 27, 2014, the last traditional Saturday network morning cartoon block, ''[[Vortexx]]'', ended and was replaced the following week by the syndicated ''[[One Magnificent Morning]]'' on [[The CW]].<ref name=wp/>

=== Demographics ===
Children's television series can target a wide variety of [[key demographic]]s based on age and gender. Few television networks target infants and toddlers under two years of age.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-18/nickelodeon-retakes-kids-ratings-crown-with-paw-patrol-|title=Nickelodeon Retakes Kids' Ratings Crown With 'Paw Patrol'|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=18 December 2013|via=Bloomberg}}</ref>

[[File:Logo de hey duggee - 2014-actual.png|thumb|British animated series ''[[Hey Duggee]]'', aimed at preschool viewers]]
Preschool-oriented programming is generally more overtly educational. In a number of cases, such shows are produced in consultation with educators and child psychologists in an effort to teach [[age-appropriate]] lessons (the series ''[[Sesame Street]]'' pioneered this approach when it debuted in 1969).<ref name="truglio-234">{{cite book | last1 = Fisch | first1 = Shalom M. | first2 = Rosemarie T. | last2 = Truglio |editor-first= Shalom M. |editor-last= Fisch |editor-first2=Rosemarie T. |editor-last2=Truglio | title = "G" is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street | url = https://archive.org/details/gisforgrowingthi00shal | url-access = registration | publisher = Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers | year = 2001 | location = Mahweh, New Jersey | page = [https://archive.org/details/gisforgrowingthi00shal/page/234 234] | isbn = 0-8058-3395-1 | chapter = Why Children Learn from Sesame Street}}</ref> A format that has increased in popularity since the 1990s is the "[[Interactive television (narrative technique)|pseudo-interactive]]" program, in which the action of the show stops and breaks the [[fourth wall]] to give a young viewer the opportunity to answer a question or dilemma put forth on the show, with the action continuing as if the viewer answered correctly, Shows targeting this demographic are generally DVD-only.

Shows that target the demographic of persons 6 to 11 years old focus primarily on entertainment and can range from comedic cartoons to action series. Most children's television series targeting this age range are animated (with a few exceptions, perhaps the best-known being the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' franchise). Typically, programs are either 'for boys' or 'for girls'.

The teen demographic targets viewers 12 to 18 years of age. Live-action series that target this demographic are more dramatic and developed, including [[teen drama]]s and [[teen sitcom]]s. In some cases, they may contain more mature content that is usually not permissible on shows targeting younger viewers, and can include some [[profanity]] or suggestive dialogue.

Educational programming targeted at this demographic has historically been rare, other than on [[NASA TV]]'s education block. However, some programming aimed at the demographic has had some tangential educational value in regard to social issues, such as the now-defunct [[TNBC]] block of sitcoms, which often tackled issues such as underage drinking or drug use.

=== Under-represented groups ===
{{see also|Cartoon Network and LGBT representation|LGBT representation in children's television}}

According to at least one journalist, for years, [[Broadcast Standards and Practices]] departments of networks, [[TV Parental Guidelines|Parental Guidelines]], and campaigns by [[Social conservatism in the United States|social conservatives]] limited "efforts to make kids animation more inclusive."<ref>{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|title=TV animators were forced to scrap LGBTQ-inclusive storylines due to a culture of fear. Experts say fans are changing that.|website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210616194517/https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|archive-date=June 16, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

One former executive of Disney, David Levine, said that "a lot of conservative opinion" drove what was depicted on [[Cartoon Network]], [[Disney Channel]], and other alike channels. Some argued that cable television, which began to pick up in the 1990s, "opened the door for more representation" even though various levels of approvals remained.<ref name="insidersnydes">{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Chris|last2=Desiderio|first2=Kyle|url=https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|title=The evolution of queer characters in children's animation|website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]|date=June 29, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210701050407/https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|archive-date=July 1, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Through the 2000s', advocacy group [[GLAAD]] repeatedly highlighted the lack of LGBT representation in children's programming in particular.{{Sfn|Cook|2018|p=6, 11–12}}<ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2009}} |date=2009 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2009–2010 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2009-2010.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326013039/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2009-2010.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2020 |pages=2–3, 11, 14 |archive-date=2020-03-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2008}} |date=2008 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2008–2009 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2008-2009.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325225641/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2008-2009.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=2020-03-25 |page=18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2006}} |date=August 21, 2006 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2006–2007 |url=http://www.glaad.org/files/2006-07%20Where%20We%20Are%20on%20TV.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011511/http://www.glaad.org/files/2006-07%20Where%20We%20Are%20on%20TV.pdf |page=1 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=2014-05-13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2014}} |date=2014 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2014-2015 |url=https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2014-WWAT.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328155604/https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2014-WWAT.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=2020-03-28 |page=23 }}</ref> Two years later, they recorded the highest number of LGBTQ characters they ever recorded up to that point.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Glass |first1=Joe |title=LGBT characters on TV will make up larger percentage than ever, study finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/03/lgbt-characters-tv-largest-percent-glaad-study |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803074638/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/03/lgbt-characters-tv-largest-percent-glaad-study |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |date=November 3, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2017, some said that LGBTQ+ characters in animated television were somewhat rare,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Segal |first1=Cynthia |title=7 American Kids' Cartoons That Treat Their LGBTQ Characters With Respect |url=https://dotandline.net/lgbtq-american-cartoons-6b1557a4c846/ |website=[[The Dot and the Line#Legacy|The Dot and Line]] |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045355/https://dotandline.net/lgbtq-american-cartoons-6b1557a4c846/ |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |date=June 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sizer |first1=Artistaeus |title=We Need To Talk About LGBT Representation, Apparently |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-need-to-talk-about-lgbt-representation-apparently_b_5a3d4dede4b06cd2bd03da68 |website=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419214106/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-need-to-talk-about-lgbt-representation-apparently_b_5a3d4dede4b06cd2bd03da68 |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |date=June 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> despite the fact that GLAAD praised the number of characters in broadcast and primetime television.<ref name="Mak2017">{{cite web |last1=Mak |first1=Philip |title=In a Heartbeat: Why we need more LGBTQ animation. |url=https://blog.toonboom.com/in-a-heartbeat-why-we-need-more-lgbtq-animation |website=[[Toon Boom Animation|Toon Boom]] |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405025918/https://blog.toonboom.com/in-a-heartbeat-why-we-need-more-lgbtq-animation |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |date=June 21, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jusino |first1=Teresa |title=Why I'll Be Holding onto These Five Nuanced and Inspiring Bisexual Characters for Dear Life This Pride |url=https://www.themarysue.com/nuanced-inspiring-bisexual-characters/ |website=[[Dan Abrams#The Mary Sue|The Mary Sue]] |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329231547/https://www.themarysue.com/nuanced-inspiring-bisexual-characters/ |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |date=June 2, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>{{Sfn|Cook|2018|p=7}}

From 2017 to 2019, [[Insider (website)|Insider]] noted that there was a "more than 200% spike in queer and gender-minority characters in children's animated TV shows."<ref name="insidersnydes" /> In 2018 and 2019, [[GLAAD]] stated that [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Hulu]], and Netflix, had increased LGBTQ representation in "daytime kids and family television."<ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2018}} |date=2018 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2018-2019 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2018-2019.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410224649/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2018-2019.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=2020-04-10 |page=5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2019}}|date=2019 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2019-2020 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV%202019%202020.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408124019/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV%202019%202020.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=2020-04-08 |pages=5, 6, 12 }}</ref>

In their January 2021 report, [[GLAAD]] praised LGBTQ representation in episodes of ''[[DuckTales (2017 TV series)|DuckTales]]'', ''[[The Owl House]]'' and ''[[Adventure Time: Distant Lands]]''.<ref name="glaad20202">{{cite report |date=January 2021 |title=Where We Are on TV: 2020–2021 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115060919/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |page=40 }}</ref> Despite this, some industry practitioners state that more than 90% of LGBTQ characters in kid's animated shows within [[Insider (website)|Insider]]'s database of characters in children's animated television shows "require either a cable, satellite, streaming, or internet subscription to view them on first airing."<ref name="abbwhi2021">{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-characters-kids-cartoons-tv-paywall-2021-6?amp=&s=03|title=Kids' cartoons have more LGBTQ representation than ever before — but only if you pay for it|date=June 21, 2021|website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210623225408/https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-characters-kids-cartoons-tv-paywall-2021-6|archive-date=June 23, 2021}}</ref>

==Channels==
===United States===
In the United States, there are three major [[commercial television|commercial]] [[cable network]]s dedicated to children's television. All three also operate secondary services with specialized scopes drawing upon their respective libraries, such as a focus on specific demographics, or a focus upon classic programming that fall within their scope and demographics; all three have also extensively [[media franchise|franchised]] their brands outside the United States.
* [[Nickelodeon]], the first children's television channel, launched in 1979 (though its history traces back to the 1977 launch of [[QUBE]]'s C-3 channel);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viacom.com/ourbrands/medianetworks/mtvnetworks/Pages/nickelodeon.aspx |title=Viacom |website=www.viacom.com |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117134441/http://www.viacom.com/ourbrands/medianetworks/mtvnetworks/Pages/nickelodeon.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> it consists largely of original series aimed at children, preteens and young teenagers, including [[animated series]], to live-action comedy and action series, as well as series aimed at preschoolers, and appeals to adult and adolescent audiences with a lineup of mainly live-action sitcom reruns and a limited amount of original programming on [[Nick at Nite]].
** Nickelodeon operates four digital cable and satellite channels separate from the main service: [[Nick Jr. Channel]], a channel devoted to preschool programming; [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]], which primarily (although not exclusively) runs animated programming; [[NickMusic]], a pop music video service branded as "[[MTV]] Hits" prior to 2016; and [[TeenNick]], a channel devoted to live-action programming and sometimes animated. This is in addition to a flexible number of free digital channels under the Nickelodeon brand on parent company [[Paramount Global]]'s over-the-top service [[Pluto TV]]. [[Subscription video on demand]] service [[Paramount+]] includes much of the Nickelodeon archives.
* [[Cartoon Network]], launched in 1992, is devoted primarily to animated programming. It primarily targets children 6–12, while its early morning [[Cartoonito (American programming block)|Cartoonito]] is aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners aged 2–6, and its overnight daypart block [[Adult Swim]] targets older teenagers and young adults aged 15–34.
** Cartoon Network operates one digital cable channel: [[Boomerang (TV network)|Boomerang]], a channel that specializes in programs centered around classic brands that parent company [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] owns (particularly [[Hanna-Barbera]], [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio|MGM]] and [[Warner Bros. Animation]]), along with some imported programs, reruns of Cartoon Network original programs, and [[burning off|burn-off]] properties. Warner Bros. Discovery also operates [[Discovery Family]] (along with its Spanish-language counterpart [[Discovery Familia]]), a joint venture with Hasbro that Warner Bros. acquired a majority stake in along with its merger with [[Discovery Channel]] and carries animated programming in daytime along with family-oriented factual programming (including Discovery library programs) at nighttime; [[HBO Family]], a channel in the company's [[premium cable]] suite [[HBO]] that includes a block of children's programs ([[HBO Kids|Play Off]]) in the morning and family-friendly films the rest of the day; [[MeTV Toons]], a joint venture with [[Weigel Broadcasting]] that operates on the [[digital subchannel]]s of Weigel-owned stations and other affiliates of its parent network [[MeTV]] and carries much of the same program library as Boomerang.
* [[Disney Channel]] launched in 1983 as a [[pay television|premium channel]]; it consists of original first-run television series, theatrically released and original made-for-cable movies, and select other third-party programming. Disney Channel – which formerly operated as a pay-TV service – originally marketed its programs towards families during the 1980s, and later at younger children by the 1990s. Then, they marketed its programs at tweens aged 8-14 between 1998 and 2004. After 2004, they marketed their programs at  [[preadolescent]] kids ages 9-12.
** Disney Channel operates two digital channels separate from the main service: [[Disney Jr.]], which launched in 2011 and primarily broadcasts animated series catered towards a preschool audience, and [[Disney XD]], which caters primarily to an older youth audience with an action-oriented focus. Disney does not have a traditional television outlet for its archival programming, which it has historically kept in a [[Disney Vault|proverbial vault]] with limited access; much of its programming is available through [[Disney+]], a subscription video on demand service. Disney also operates [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], a channel primarily carrying live-action programming catered towards a teenage/young adult audience. Although its [[Television networks preceding Freeform|previous incarnations]] under other owners had family-oriented formats and children's programming, they have since been phased out in favor of series such as [[teen drama]]s, some coming from Disney Channel.

Under current mandates, all [[terrestrial television|broadcast]] television stations in the United States must show a minimum of three hours per week of [[E/I|educational children's programming]], regardless of format. Until 2019, this rule also applied to [[digital subchannels]]; as a result, digital multicast networks whose formats should not fit children's programming, such as [[Live Well Network]] and [[TheCoolTV]], were required to carry educational programs to fit the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] mandates. (The rule for digital subchannels was repealed in July 2019;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/fcc-vote-to-ease-kid-vid-rules-draws-pushback-and-democrats-dissent-1202644411/|title=FCC's Vote To Ease "Kid Vid" Rules Draws Pushback And Democrats' Dissent|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=July 10, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-gives-broadcasters-more-kidvid-flexibility|title=FCC Gives Broadcasters More KidVid Flexibility|last=Eggerton|first=John|date=July 10, 2019|website=Broadcasting & Cable|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref> in practice, most still carry educational programs anyway.) In 2017, there was a programming block that aired on syndication called [[KidsClick]]; it was notable as a concerted effort to program children's shows on television without regard to their educational content, one of the first such efforts since the E/I rule took effect. The transition to digital television has allowed for the debut of whole subchannels that air children's programming 24/7; examples include [[PBS Kids]] and [[BabyFirst]], along with multiple streaming providers.

===Canada===
English-language children's specialty channels in Canada are primarily owned by [[Corus Entertainment]] and [[WildBrain]]. Corus operates [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] and [[Treehouse TV|Treehouse]], as well as localized versions of the [[Cartoon Network (Canadian TV channel)|Cartoon Network]], [[Disney Channel (Canadian TV channel)|Disney Channel]], [[Disney Junior (Canadian TV channel)|Disney Junior]], [[Disney XD (Canadian TV channel)|Disney XD]], and [[Nickelodeon (Canadian TV channel)|Nickelodeon]] brands. WildBrain operates [[Family Channel (Canadian TV channel)|Family Channel]], as well as the spin-off services [[WildBrainTV]] and [[Family Jr.]] it has been majority owned and operated by British Columbia's public broadcaster [[Knowledge Network]].

In French, Corus operates [[Télétoon]] and [[La chaîne Disney]], WildBrain operates [[Télémagino]] (a French version of Family Jr.), [[TVA Group]] operates the preschool-oriented [[Yoopa]], and [[Bell Media]] runs the teen-oriented [[Vrak]]. Via its majority-owned subsidiary [[Telelatino]], Corus also operates two children and family-oriented networks in Spanish and Italian, [[TeleNiños]] and [[Telebimbi]] respectively.

On broadcast television and satellite to cable undertakings, children's television content is relegated to the country's public and designated provincial educational broadcasters, including [[CBC Television]] and [[Ici Radio-Canada Télé]], as well as [[City Saskatchewan]], [[CTV Two Alberta]] (formerly Access), [[Knowledge Network]], [[Télé-Québec]], [[TFO]], and [[TVOntario]] ([[TVOKids]]).

Aided by the cultural similarities between Canada and the US, along with film credits and subsidies available from the Canadian government, a large number of animated children's series have been made in Canada with the intention of exporting them to the United States. Such programs carry [[:File:Canada wordmark.svg|a prominent Government of Canada wordmark]] in their closing credits.

===United Kingdom===
<!--- image deleted [[File:One!.png|200px|thumb|right|Some characters from ''[[Numberblocks]]'']] --->
The [[BBC]] and [[ITV plc]] both operate children's oriented television networks on digital terrestrial television: the BBC runs [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] as well as the preschool-oriented [[CBeebies]], while ITV runs [[CITV]] as well as the preschool-oriented [[LittleBe]], as a programming block on [[ITVBe]]. Both channels were spun off from children's television strands on their respective flagship channels ([[BBC One]], [[BBC Two]], and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]). The BBC and ITV have largely phased out children's programming from their main channels to focus on the dedicated services; in 2012, as part of the "Delivering Quality First" initiative, the BBC announced that it would end the broadcast of CBBC programmes on BBC One following the completion of the transition to digital terrestrial television, citing low viewership in comparison to broadcasts of the programmes on the CBBC channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18083178|title=Children's shows to leave BBC One|work=BBC News|access-date=12 May 2012 | date=16 May 2012}}</ref> [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] also broadcasts a preschool-oriented block known as ''[[Milkshake!]]'', while its owner, [[Paramount Networks International]], also runs versions of [[Nickelodeon UK|Nickelodeon]] and its sister networks [[Nicktoons (UK and Ireland)|Nicktoons]] and [[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|Nick Jr.]]

Narrative Capital operate a number of children's channels under the [[Pop (UK and Ireland)|Pop]] and [[Tiny Pop]] brands. British versions of [[Cartoon Network (UK & Ireland)|Cartoon Network]] and its sister channels [[Boomerang UK|Boomerang]] and [[Cartoonito]] also operate in the country, some 25 years after the initial launch.

===Ireland===
Ireland has one dedicated children's TV service, [[RTÉjr]]. Since 1998 [[RTÉ2]] has provided children's programming from 07:00 to 17:30 each weekday, originally titled [[The Den (Ireland)|The Den]], the service was renamed [[TRTÉ]] and [[RTÉjr]] in 2010. Irish-language service [[TG4]] provide two strands of children's programming Cúla 4 Na nÓg and [[Cúla 4]] during the day. Commercial broadcaster [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] broadcast a children's strand called ''Gimme 3'' from 1998 to 1999. And then broadcast a new strand called [[3Kids]].

===Australia===
Children's channels that exist in Australia are [[ABC Family (Australian TV channel)|ABC Family]], [[ABC Kids (Australia)|ABC Kids]], and its spin-off [[CBeebies]], [[Nickelodeon (Australia)|Nickelodeon]] and its spin-off [[Nick Jr. (Australia)|Nick Jr.]], and [[Cartoon Network (Australia)|Cartoon Network]] and its spin-off [[Boomerang (Australian TV channel)|Boomerang]].

===Japan===
{{see also|Children's anime and manga}}
Children's channels that exist in Japan are [[NHK Educational TV]], [[Kids Station]], [[Disney Channel (Japanese TV channel)|Disney Channel]], [[jp:ディズニーXD|Disney XD]], [[Nickelodeon (Japanese TV channel)|Nickelodeon]] (also under a block on [[Animax]], known as "Nick Time") and [[Cartoon Network (Japanese TV channel)|Cartoon Network]] (Cartoon Network's age demographic is moving towards older viewers with shows such as ''[[Hello Kitty]]'', ''[[Regular Show]]'' and ''[[Adventure Time]]'')

===Iceland===
One of the most well-known children's TV programmes comes from Iceland, [[LazyTown]], was created by [[Magnús Scheving|Magnus Scheving]], European Gymnastics Champion and CEO of [[Lazytown Entertainment]]. The show has aired in over 180 countries, been dubbed into more than 32 languages and is the most expensive children's show of all time.

===India===
In 1995, [[Cartoon Network (Indian TV channel)|Cartoon Network]] became the first children's channel to be launched in India. Subsequently, Disney Channel and [[Nickelodeon (Indian TV channel)|Nickelodeon]] arrived. [[Hungama TV]] (2004) was the first children's channel that had local content. [[Pogo (TV channel)|Pogo]] and [[BabyTV]] came later in 2006. By 2018, 23 channels have aired in India.

===Romania===
[[Nickelodeon (Central & Eastern Europe)|Nickelodeon]] was the first children's channel in Romania, launched in December 1998. Afterwards, [[Minimax (TV channel)|Minimax]] became the first Romanian children's channel to air locally produced content, launched on [[Children's Day]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.minimaxtv.ro/min20.php?&l=1 |title = minimaxtv.ro – totul despre copii pentru copii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217093201/http://www.minimaxtv.ro/min20.php?&l=1 |archive-date=17 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since then, channels like [[BabyTV]] and [[Disney Channel (Romanian TV channel)|Disney Channel]] have arrived.

===Turkey===

Children's channels that exist in Turkey are [[Cartoon Network (Turkish TV channel)|Cartoon Network]], [[TRT Çocuk]], [[:tr:MinikaÇOCUK|MinikaÇOCUK]], [[:tr:MinikaGO|Minika GO]] and [[Zarok TV]].

==See also==
* [[List of local children's television series (United States)]]
* [[Saturday-morning cartoon]] for an in-depth history of children's television in the United States
* [[Advertising to children]]
* [[List of children's animated television series]]
* [[LGBTQ themes in Western animation]]

== References ==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite thesis |last=Cook |first=Carson |date=May 2018 |title=A content analysis of LGBT representation on broadcast and streaming television streaming television |type=Honors |chapter=A History of LGBT Representation on TV |publisher=University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |chapter-url=https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1133&context=honors-theses |access-date=July 14, 2021}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tours/childrens/tourchildrens1.html Children's Television], online exhibition from [[screenonline]], a website of the [[British Film Institute]]
* [http://mrpopculture.com/index.html The 1950s–2000s Week-By-Week – includes listings and factoids for local/national children's shows.]
* [http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/14 The future of children's digital television – an interview with Gloria Tristani] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304085223/http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/14 |date=2012-03-04 }}
* Ryan Black, [https://reporter.rit.edu/views/surprising-maturity-childrens-animation The Surprising Maturity of Children's Animation], The Reporter, March 4, 2016

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[[Category:Children's television series| ]]
[[Category:Television by interest]]
[[Category:Children's television|*]]
[[Category:Television genres]]