| Nick Jr. | |
|---|---|
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| Launched | January 4, 1988 |
| Closed | February 2, 2009 |
| Owned by | MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International |
| Slogan | Play with Us! |
| Country | USA |
| Sister channel(s) | Nick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, TeenNick |
| Website | TV channel |
Nick Jr. was a programming block on the Nickelodeon television channel, seen on Nickelodeon weekday mornings. It was aimed at a preschool-age audience ages 5 and under. On September 28, 2009, Nick Jr. became its own official channel replacing Noggin. It is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International.
Programming during this block were generally seen without commercial interruption, although advertisements did run between the programs.
Contents |
History
Buildup
From 1981 until 1988, many shows that might be associated with a preschool audience were broadcast on Nickelodeon, but were not specifically distinguished in their own programming block. Most preschool programs were shown roughly between the hours of 7:00am and 3:00pm, which approximates the hours in which older children might be in school.[1]
1988–1994
By the start of 1988, on January 4, the Nick Jr. brand was in place and in use, with an approximate six-hour portion of the Nickelodeon broadcast day, at 9:00am – 3:00pm.[2] The logo for the new Nick Jr. brand became a distinctive feature for the block. While Nickelodeon used a completely orange logo, Nick. Jr. used an orange 'Nick' and a light blue 'Jr', with the blue always smaller than the orange. The logo typically depicted a parent or older sibling (orange), and child (light blue), but varied in the shape or species (e.g. two rabbits, two simplified human figures, two trees, two robots, two balls, two hippos, two pigs, two cows, two horses, two brothers, two cats, two dogs) Until 1989, a former staple of the Nickelodeon lineup, Pinwheel was featured, and eventually replaced by Eureeka's Castle. Much of the remaining time in the lineup, particularly early in this time period, was devoted to animated series, many of which were of foreign origin (The World of David the Gnome, Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, Noozles, The Adventures of the Little Koala, The Adventures of the Little Prince, The Littl' Bits). Programming in the vein of live action and puppeted preschool programming also appeared during this time. Many of the Nick Jr. station idents were created using clay animation. The first program ever aired to launch was Belle and Sebastian.
1994–2004
There was evidence to suggest that the Nick Jr. brand was formalized in some way in 1994, despite the name being used before 1994.[3] Nickelodeon's own website states that Nick Jr. was founded in 1994.[4] The block's final day premiered on December 31, 1993. The final program on December 31, 1993 was David the Gnome, right before the final goodbyes of Nick Jr. After that, they showed a commercial for the mascot named Face. On January 3, 1994, Nick Jr. introduced Face, the animated mascot that introduced, and wrapped up shows, and smaller variety pieces. On his first day, he changed colors, moods, and feelings. Programming during this period included Allegra's Window, Little Bear, Gullah Gullah Island, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, Little Big Room, Rupert, Rugrats, Jim Henson's Muppet Babies, Muppet Time, The Muppet Show, Eureeka's Castle, David the Gnome, Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, Billy Bunny's Animal Songs, and Blue's Clues. Face, in the context of its segments, was capable of materializing objects such as beach balls, scuba gear, space ships, stars, even radios, and of creating any number of foley sound effects including a signature three note "trumpet" noise used to lead up to the name Nick Jr. On September 1, 2003, Nick Jr. tried to improve Face, but he didn't turn out well. The first program ever aired to re-launch was The Rubbadubbers. Face was last seen on October 8, 2004.
2004–2007
On October 11, 2004, Nick Jr. had a mascot named Piper O'Possum. The first program ever aired to re-launch was Dora the Explorer. He was the character was known, was also the daytime presenter of the British version of Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. 2. Piper was voiced by Allison Brustofski. On Nick Jr.'s British service, he was voiced by a British voice-over actor, with Allison's laugh. Piper was last seen on September 7, 2007.
2007–2009
On September 10, 2007, Nick Jr. introduced new graphics, and music. This saw the introduction of the block, which indicates preschoolers to play and learn with Nick Jr. characters. The first program ever aired to re-launch was Dora the Explorer.
2009–Present
Nickelodeon removed the Nick Jr. branding from the block on February 2, 2009. Nick Jr. shows continued airing on the slot, but they have the Nickelodeon branding, replacing the Nick Jr. branding. The final program was Ni Hao, Kai-Lan. On September 28, 2009, Noggin was replaced by the new Nick Jr. channel. Also, they received the "It's Like Preschool on TV" slogan. The famous colors were retained, but not the 'Orange parent-Blue child' motif.
Cross-programming with other networks
From 2000 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2006, Nick Jr. also ran a Saturday morning children's block for CBS entitled Nick Jr. on CBS, featuring shows from the programming block. Between 2002 and 2004, it was part of the general Nick on CBS block, which also included programming from the main Nickelodeon channel. The block was replaced September 16, 2006, when DIC Entertainment started the K.O.L. Secret Slumber Party on CBS.
Until the fall of 2006, Spanish language US network Telemundo offered Nick Jr. programming in Spanish on Saturday and Sunday mornings, as part of the Nickelodeon en Telemundo block, which featured such shows as Rugrats and Dora the Explorer. In the fall of 2006, Nick programming was replaced with a Spanish-language version of NBC/Ion Television's qubo block.
On April 5, 2008, competing Spanish network Univision added Spanish dubbed versions of Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! to their Saturday morning Planeta U line-up.
See also
- Dance and Sing! The Best of Nick Jr.
- List of programs broadcast by Nick Jr. (block)
- Nick Jr. (TV channel)
References
External links
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