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}} {{globalize|date=November 2025}} [[File:Momfer de Mol, Isadora Paradijsvogel, Gerrit de Postduif, Meneer de Raaf, Lowieke de Vos, Juffrouw Ooievaar & Ed Bever.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Characters from ''Fabeltjeskrant'', perhaps the most well-known Dutch children's series]] '''Children's television series''' or '''children's television shows''' are programs specifically designed for young audiences, combining entertainment, education, and social development. Since the early days of broadcasting, these shows have shaped childhood culture, influenced learning styles, and reflected changing social values. They are typically characterized 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 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== {{Globalize|section|United States|date=October 2025}} 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.com/historyofthebbc/research/children-and-the-bbc|title=Children & the BBC: from Muffin the Mule to Tinky Winky|website=BBC|access-date=6 May 2018}}</ref> with BBC School Radio commencing live broadcasts in 1924.

In the early 1930s, radio adventure serials such as ''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 | radio program |access-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>

In Japan, early children’s programming developed alongside the rise of anime in the 1960s, with shows such as ''Astro Boy'' helping establish animation as a dominant format for young audiences. Meanwhile, in Latin America, locally produced educational programs reflected regional culture and language.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kids’ WB Acquires “Astro Boy” for 2003-2004 Season {{!}} Nickandmore! |url=https://www.nickandmore.com/2003/04/30/kids-wb-acquires-astro-boy-for-2003-2004-season/ |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=www.nickandmore.com}}</ref>

===Evolution of style in the US and beyond=== [[File:Ray Rayner Show 1968.JPG|thumb|''The Ray Rayner Show'' from Chicago children's television in 1968]] 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'' 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>

[[File:Count von Count.jpg|thumb|Count von Count from ''Sesame Street'', a character created to help children to learn to count]] Shows such as ''Sesame Street'' revolutionized children’s television by combining research-based educational methods with entertainment. Its use of puppetry, music, and multicultural casting set a new standard for educational programming worldwide (''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 U.S. include shows like ''Play School'', ''Noggin the Nog'', ''Clangers'', ''Bagpuss'', ''Teletubbies'', ''Thunderbirds'', ''Danger Mouse'', ''Count Duckula'', ''Mr. Men'' and ''Thomas & Friends'' originating from the UK, ''The Adventures of Blinky Bill'' from Australia, ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry'' and ''Paw Patrol'' from Canada, ''Le Manège Enchanté'' from France, ''Pingu'' from Switzerland, ''Moomin'' from Finland, ''Die Sendung mit der Maus'' from Germany, ''Alfred J. Kwak'' from the Netherlands, and ''Marine Boy'' and ''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}} [[File:Bonomo Magic Clown Membership Card.jpg|thumb|A fan club "membership card" for ''The Magic Clown'', with the Bonomo candy brand logo]] 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.The rise of toy-based programs in the 1980s blurred the line between entertainment and advertising. Series such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe were designed partly to promote action figures, leading critics to argue that children’s programming had become a form of extended commercial marketing.

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). From early radio-inspired broadcasts to global streaming platforms, children’s television has continuously evolved in format, content, and purpose. While educational goals and entertainment remain central, issues such as commercialization, representation, and digital access continue to shape the industry’s future. As technology advances, children’s television will likely remain a powerful influence on childhood development and culture worldwide.

=== 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 demographics based on age and gender. Few television networks target infants and toddlers under two years of age as it would not be practical.<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>

Preschool programming often emphasizes repetition, bright visuals, and direct audience interaction to match early childhood cognitive development. In contrast, programming for older children tends to include more complex narratives, humor, and character development. 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 "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, Attempts to reach this demographic with ad-supported programming largely ended in the late 1980s with the introduction of the people meter as the standard for audience measurement; most young children were too young and lacked the attention span to operate the device properly, causing major declines in ratings for shows that targeted them.<ref name="KidsLoveTube">{{cite news |last=Harmetz |first=Aljean |date=June 7, 1988 |title=Kids Like Tube, But Tune Out Networks |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/06/07/kids-like-tube-but-tune-out-networks/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |quote=Do you think I'll keep putting those programs on the air? Little Clowns of Happytown, which is specifically for children under 6, has been canceled because it can't generate the people-meter numbers. |agency=New York Times News Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Winfrey |first=Lee |date=September 16, 1988 |title=ABC hoping Pooh can pull more than honey out a jar |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19880916&id=CqgeAAAAIBAJ&pg=6729,251354 |work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |publisher=Knight Ridder |page=A9 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> Such programming has instead been carried mainly via non-commercial networks and by subscription-based cable networks.

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 dramas and teen sitcoms. 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, Parental Guidelines, and campaigns by 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|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|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 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 |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=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 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, 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'', ''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'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|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 cable networks 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 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 (via the Nick Jr. brand) during school hours. It operates only during the daytime hours; Nick at Nite, a block of sitcom reruns, occupies the channel space in the overnight hours. ** Nickelodeon operates four digital cable and satellite channels separate from the main service: Nick Jr. Channel, a channel devoted to preschool programming; 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 Skydance'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, which in practice has led to an audience mainly focused on older children. It only operates during the daytime hours, with Adult Swim, a channel consisting of adult animation and alternative comedy content, occupying its channel space at night. ** Cartoon Network operates one digital cable channel: Boomerang, a channel that specializes in programs centered around classic brands that parent company Warner Bros. Discovery owns (particularly Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Warner Bros. Animation), along with some imported programs, reruns of Cartoon Network original programs, and 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; and MeTV Toons, a joint venture with Weigel Broadcasting that operates on the digital subchannels 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 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 moved toward a more explicitly children's audience by the late 1990s. ** 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 launched in 2009 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 proverbial vault with limited access; much of its programming is available through Disney+, a subscription video on demand service. Disney also operates Freeform, a channel primarily carrying live-action programming catered towards a teenage/young adult audience. Although its 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 dramas, some coming from Disney Channel.

In addition to the cable networks, the nonprofit Public Broadcasting Service has prominently featured children's programming for multiple hours of each day under the PBS Kids brand. The PBS Kids brand evolved from earlier PBS children’s programming and was established in 1999 as part of a rebranding and expansion effort by PBS. Prior to the PBS Kids name, PBS children’s content was packaged under earlier initiatives like PTV. PBS Kids airs a range of educational shows including long-running favorites and new series, and its lineup is distributed via broadcast on local PBS stations, a national 24/7 channel, and digital platforms. PBS Kids is grounded in research-based curriculum goals, designed to teach foundational subjects such as early reading and math, as well as skills like problem-solving, empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking. It often includes educator and parent resources that support learning beyond screen time.

Under current mandates, all broadcast television stations in the United States must show a minimum of three hours per week of 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 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=== In English, Corus Entertainment operates two original specialty channels (YTV and Treehouse) and localized versions of three brands (Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and Disney Channel).

In French, Corus operates Télétoon, 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 (CBC Television and Ici Radio-Canada Télé), 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 a prominent Government of Canada wordmark in their closing credits.

===United Kingdom===  The BBC operates children's oriented television networks on digital terrestrial television. They run CBBC as well as the preschool-oriented CBeebies. The channels were spun off from children's television strands on the BBC's respective flagship channels, BBC One and BBC Two. The BBC has 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 also broadcasts a preschool-oriented block known as ''Milkshake!'', while its owner, Paramount Networks International, also runs versions of Nickelodeon and its sister networks Nicktoons and Nick Jr.

British versions of Cartoon Network and its sister channels Boomerang and Cartoonito also operate in the country, some 25 years after the initial launch.

ITV broadcast their own strands of children's programmes since its launch in 1955 until 27 August 2023.<ref name="auto12">{{Cite web |last=Newsdesk1 |first=RXTV |date=24 August 2023 |title=Changes to ITV1 and ITV2 after CITV closure > RXTV info |url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2023/changes-to-itv1-and-itv2-after-citv-closure/ |access-date=3 September 2023}}</ref> The dedicated CITV Channel, which launched in 2006, closed a few days later, with children's programming continuing on a breakfast-time block on ITV2 until 10 April 2026, which marked the end of children's programming on the linear ITV network<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-04 |title=Beloved TV channel ‘ending for good’ after 43 years |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/citv-shows-itv-news-b2951782.html |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>; programmes for children continue to be available on the ITVX Kids streaming service.

===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, 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 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, ABC Kids, Nickelodeon and its spin-off Nick Jr., and Cartoon Network and its spin-off Boomerang.

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

===Finland=== In Finland, MTV Oy operates the MTV Juniori channel targeting children. The channel is available on digital terrestrial networks, cable, broadband and satellite networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.fi/video/75ec92b2742ecac4f0c4/mtv-juniori|title=MTV Juniori|publisher=MTV3|access-date=11 September 2025|language=fi|url-access=registration}}</ref>

===Iceland=== One of the most well-known children's TV programmes comes from Iceland, LazyTown, was created by 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 became the first children's channel to be launched in India. Subsequently, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon arrived. Hungama TV (2004) was the first children's channel that had local content. Pogo and BabyTV came later in 2006. By 2018, 23 channels have aired in India.

===Romania=== Nickelodeon was the first children's channel in Romania, launched in December 1998. Afterwards, 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 have arrived.

===Turkey===

Children's channels that exist in Turkey are Cartoon Network, TRT Çocuk, MinikaÇOCUK, 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

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