KidsCo

{{Short description|Former international children's television channel}}

{{multiple issues|

{{Update|date=May 2014}}}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = KidsCo

| logo = KidsCo TV Channel Logo, updated version 2012.png

| logo_size = 236px

| logo_caption = Channel's logo from 2012 until its closure.

| founded = April 2007

| launch_date = September 7, 2007 (Central and Eastern Europe)
January 8, 2008 (Asia, South Africa, Middle East){{Cite web|url=http://www.dicentertainment.com:80/press/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119182657/http://www.dicentertainment.com:80/press/|archive-date=January 19, 2008|title=WildBrain}}
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)

| closed_date = May 5, 2013 (Poland)
June 30, 2013 (Austria)
December 31, 2013 (rest of Europe)
February 14, 2014 (remaining territories)

| picture_format = 480i (SDTV)
576i (SDTV)

| owner = NBCUniversal (33%, 2007-2012; 51%, 2012-2014)
Corus Entertainment 33%, 2007-2012; 43.8%, 2012-2014)
DIC Entertainment (33%) (2007-2008)
Cookie Jar Group (33%) (2008-2012)

| type =

| country = United Kingdom

| area = Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia

| headquarters = London, United Kingdom

| language = Various

| replaced_by =

| website = kidscotv.tv

| availability_note = At time of closure

}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2011-02-04 |title=Globetrotter KidsCo wants success closer to home |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8304331/Globetrotter-KidsCo-wants-success-closer-to-home.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310045901/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8304331/Globetrotter-KidsCo-wants-success-closer-to-home.html |archive-date=2011-03-10 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}

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.{{cite web | url=http://lyngsat-address.com/gk/KidsCo.html | title=TV KidsCo | publisher=LSC | access-date=June 17, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015082944/http://lyngsat-address.com/gk/KidsCo.html | archive-date=October 15, 2007 | url-status=usurped}}{{Cite web |last=Dickson |first=Jeremy |date=2013-11-15 |title=KidsCo shuts down |url=https://kidscreen.com/2013/11/15/nbcu-shuts-down-kidsco/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321175840/http://kidscreen.com/2013/11/15/nbcu-shuts-down-kidsco/ |archive-date=2019-03-21 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Kidscreen}}

History

File:KidsCo.svg KidsCo was co-founded by former BBC Radio 1 controller Paul Robinson, citing an increasing focus on older "tween" audiences and increasing vertical integration by mainstream counterparts Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, in addition to the need to reduce costs for other content producers by not adopting a traditional license fee deal.

The network, effectively a start-up, depended on funding provided in the form of a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (the owner of Nelvana), DIC Entertainment and Sparrowhawk Media Group.{{Cite web |date=2007-04-03 |title=Sparrowhawk Media, DIC Entertainment and Corus Entertainment partner to launch KidsCo, a branded global channel for children |url=http://www.dicentertainment.com/press/details.php?121 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115103306/http://www.dicentertainment.com/press/details.php?121 |archive-date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2024-08-27 |publisher=DIC Entertainment}} Subsequently, its offering was said to have included "over 3,000" half-hour episodes each of DIC and Nelvana content, with a broadcast facility made available by Sparrowhawk Media in the United States.{{Cite web |date=2007-10-09 |title=S-a lansat KidsCo, nou canal dedicat întregii familii |url=https://www.iaa.ro/Articole/Stiri/S-a-lansat-kidsco-nou-canal-dedicat-intregii-familii/913.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525002655/https://www.iaa.ro/Articole/Stiri/S-a-lansat-kidsco-nou-canal-dedicat-intregii-familii/913.html |archive-date=2009-05-25 |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=IAA Romania |language=ro}} Later in 2007, Sparrowhawk Media was purchased by media conglomerate NBCUniversal, while DIC was merged into Cookie Jar Group the following year.{{cite news |last=Haycock |first=Gavin |date=August 28, 2007 |title=NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL2834678120070828 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2008-06-23 |title=Cookie Jar gets its hands on DIC in $87 mil merger |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/cookie-jar-gets-hands-dic-114347/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}

Although numerous claims had been made of an imminent UK launch throughout its existence,{{Cite web |last=Ramsay |first=Fiona |date=2008-03-26 |title=NBC Universal kids' channel seeks brand sponsorships |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/nbc-universal-kids-channel-seeks-brand-sponsorships/795598?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107113801/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/nbc-universal-kids-channel-seeks-brand-sponsorships/795598?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social |archive-date=2023-01-07 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Campaign Live |language=en}}

{{cite web |date=October 19, 2007 |title=Licence Details for KIDSCO |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/1600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721023538/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/1600.htm |archive-date=July 21, 2009 |publisher=Ofcom}}

{{cite magazine |date=September 2, 2008 |title=KidsCo signs three-year deal with the BBC |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/09/kidsco_acquires_bbc_shows.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019025155/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/09/kidsco_acquires_bbc_shows.html |archive-date=October 19, 2008 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Broadcastnow}}

{{cite magazine |date=September 3, 2009 |title=KidsCo expands into five new markets |url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/rss/931390/KidsCo-expands-five-new-markets/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918062708/http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/rss/931390/KidsCo-expands-five-new-markets/ |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Media Week}}

{{cite magazine |date=October 6, 2009 |title=KidsCo eyes 2010 launch |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/kidsco-eyes-2010-launch/5006454.article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009110838/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/kidsco-eyes-2010-launch/5006454.article |archive-date=October 9, 2009 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Broadcastnow}} the channel struggled to establish an official foothold there because market conditions at the time meant a launch would not be commercially viable.{{cite web |date=July 8, 2011 |title=Cost hurdles block KidsCo UK launch |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/cost-hurdles-block-kidsco-uk-launch/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 27, 2024 |publisher=C21 Media}}{{Cite web |date=2007-07-19 |title=KidsCo looking at UK channel launch |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a66692/kidsco-looking-at-uk-channel-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827151247/https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a66692/kidsco-looking-at-uk-channel-launch/ |archive-date=2024-08-27 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} Plans had also been discussed for a potential expansion throughout France, Germany, Italy and Latin America, but these did not transpire.{{Cite web |date=2011-02-04 |title=Expert views on KidsCo |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8304386/Expert-views-on-KidsCo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310045858/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8304386/Expert-views-on-KidsCo.html |archive-date=2011-03-10 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}} Robinson served as managing director of the network through 2011, after which he was succeeded by Hendrik McDermott.{{Cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=2014-03-27 |title=MIPTV: Former KidsCo CEO Paul Robinson Joins Germany's Your Family Entertainment |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/miptv-kidsco-ceo-paul-robinson-691629/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

The channel was first launched in Central and Eastern Europe on September 7, 2007.{{Cite web |last= |date=2007-09-06 |title=KidsCo branches out |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/kidsco-branches-out/121454.article |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506074209/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/kidsco-branches-out/121454.article |archive-date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Broadcastnow |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2007-10-05 |title=Dialogue: KidCo's Paul Robinson |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/dialogue-kidcos-paul-robinson-151817/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829035306/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/dialogue-kidcos-paul-robinson-151817/ |archive-date=2024-08-29 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} On January 1, 2008, KidsCo launched in the Philippines on SkyCable and on Showtime Arabia on March 20, 2008.{{cite news | url = http://www.showtimearabia.com/Announcements/NewChannels_en_gb.aspx | title = New channel on SHOWTIME | publisher = Showtimearabia.com | date = December 31, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080102160303/http://www.showtimearabia.com/Announcements/NewChannels_en_gb.aspx | archive-date = January 2, 2008 }} In 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/features/detail.asp?area=79&article=56693|title=C21Media|access-date=February 10, 2015}}

On November 15, 2009, KidsCo launched on Australian platform Foxtel.{{cite press release|title=FOXTEL NEXT GENERATION – Giving Viewers What They Want When They Want it|publisher=Foxtel|date=November 13, 2009|url=http://www.foxtel.com.au/about-foxtel/communications/foxtel-next-generation-giving-viewers-what-they-want-when-th-40078.htm|access-date=November 20, 2013}} That same month, it launched in Greece on Conn-x TV{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/television/kidsco-launch-greece|title=KidsCo to Launch in Greece|work=Animation World Network|access-date=February 10, 2015}} and in Cyprus on CytaVision.{{cite web|url=http://www.cytavision.com.cy/english/tv_channels.php?cat_id=3|title=Cyta: TV|work=cytavision.com.cy|access-date=February 10, 2015}} In November 2010 it additionally launched on IPTV in Greece.{{cite web | url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/news_articles/2010/nov_10/08_nov_10/kidsco_launches_on_greek_iptv | title=KidsCo launches on Greek IPTV | publisher=Digital TVEurope.net | work=Latest News | date=November 8, 2010 | access-date=June 17, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723095057/http://www.digitaltveurope.net/news_articles/2010/nov_10/08_nov_10/kidsco_launches_on_greek_iptv | archive-date=July 23, 2011 | url-status=dead}} It launched on South African platforms TopTV on May 1, 2010{{cite web | url=http://toptv.co.za/bouquet | title=Welcome to TopTV | access-date=June 17, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021194936/http://www.toptv.co.za/bouquet | archive-date=October 21, 2012 | url-status=dead}} and DStv on July 12, 2010.{{cite web | url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/201007067008/kidsco-gets-dstv-feed.html | title=KidsCo gets DStv feed | publisher=RapidTVNews | date=July 6, 2010 | access-date=June 17, 2015 | author=Chris Forrester | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002043648/http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/201007067008/kidsco-gets-dstv-feed.html | archive-date=October 2, 2011 | url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=http://www.dicentertainment.com/press/details.php?132 | title=KidsCo expands to Asia, South Africa and Middle East | publisher=NBC Universal Global Networks | work=Press | date=January 8, 2008 | access-date=June 17, 2015 | author=Jane Muirhead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121110259/http://www.dicentertainment.com/press/details.php?132 | archive-date=January 21, 2008 | url-status=dead}}

In May 2012, Cookie Jar's minority shares in KidsCo were bought by NBCUniversal and Corus, which saw the former obtain a controlling 51% stake while the latter increased its share to 43.8%.{{cite web |last=Dickson |first=Jeremy |date=May 14, 2012 |title=NBCUniversal, Corus up their stakes in KidsCo |url=http://kidscreen.com/2012/05/14/nbcuniversal-corus-up-their-stakes-in-kidsco/ |access-date=November 19, 2013 |publisher=Kids Screen}}{{cite magazine |last=Szalai |first=Georg |date=May 14, 2012 |title=NBCUniversal International Raises Stakes in Children's Channel KidsCo |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-international-raises-stake-kidsco-323945 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}

On June 23, 2012, KidsCo also launched on HyppTV platform.

On January 8, 2013, KidsCo moved its broadcasting facilities to Corus Quay in Toronto, while also introducing a refreshed schedule, on-air look and website.{{cite web |date=January 7, 2013 |title=Press Release - KidsCo Transmits From Corus Quay Starting January 8, 2013 |url=http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=2413 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412142703/http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=2413 |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |publisher=Corus Entertainment}}{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=September 27, 2012 |title=KidsCo to refresh with Zuzu |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/kidsco-to-refresh-with-zuzu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101225509/https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/kidsco-to-refresh-with-zuzu.html |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2013 |website=TV Tonight}} In February 2013, as part of a joint venture with the NBC-affiliated Syfy network, it debuted a new programming block titled Syfy Kids.{{Cite web |last=Dickson |first=Jeremy |date=2013-02-06 |title=KidsCo to launch first Syfy children's block |url=https://kidscreen.com/2013/02/06/kidsco-to-launch-first-syfy-childrens-block/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210034306/https://kidscreen.com/2013/02/06/kidsco-to-launch-first-syfy-childrens-block/ |archive-date=2013-02-10 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=KidScreen}}{{Cite web |last=Ng-See-Quan |first=Danielle |date=2013-04-16 |title=KidsCo sends new Syfy block to Asia |url=https://kidscreen.com/2013/04/16/kidsco-sends-syfy-kids-to-asia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512024657/http://kidscreen.com/2013/04/16/kidsco-sends-syfy-kids-to-asia/ |archive-date=2013-05-12 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=KidScreen}}

On March 1, 2013, as part of the channel renumbering, KidsCo has moved to Channel 560.

KidsCo ceased broadcasting in Poland on May 5, 2013, having previously been removed from some Polish cable networks on April 30.{{Cite web |last=Knapik |first=Łukasz |date=2013-03-09 |title=Kanał KidsCo kończy nadawanie w Polsce |url=https://satkurier.pl/news/83529/kanal-kidsco-konczy-nadawanie-w-polsce.html |access-date=August 3, 2019 |website=SATKurier.pl}}{{Cite web |last=Knapik |first=Łukasz |date=2013-04-24 |title=KidsCo kończy nadawanie w Polsce 5 maja {{!}} Polonica |url=https://satkurier.pl/news/85084/kidsco-konczy-nadawanie-w-polsce-5-maja.html |access-date=August 3, 2019 |website=SATKurier.pl}} It was removed from the AustriaSat platform on June 30, 2013.{{Cite web |date=2013-12-14 |title=KidsCo-Sendestopp ab 30.6.2013 |url=http://www.austriasat.at/news.aspx?id=2540 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214103853/http://www.austriasat.at/news.aspx?id=2540 |archive-date=2013-12-14 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=AustriaSat |language=de-AT}}

In November 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.{{cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=November 18, 2013 |title=NBCUniversal, Corus to Shutter KidsCo Network in Early 2014 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-corus-shutter-kidsco-network-656943 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507222452/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/nbcuniversal-corus-shutter-kidsco-network-656943/ |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} KidsCo's European feeds ceased broadcasting on December 31, 2013, with the remaining feeds for Malaysia on 10 February 2014 and Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa following suit on Valentine's Day 2014. On VOO, the channel was replaced by Piwi+.{{Cn|date=August 2024}}

References

Category:Universal Networks International

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2007

Category:Children's television networks

Category:NBCUniversal networks

Category:Former Corus Entertainment networks

Category:Former joint ventures

Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2014