| qubo | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | September 9, 2006 (block) January 8, 2007 (channel) |
| Network | Ion Television NBC Telemundo (broadcast in Spanish) |
| Owned by | QUBO Ventere, LLC. (ION Media Networks NBC Universal Nelvana Classic Media Big Idea Productions Scholastic Books) |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Slogan | qubo's for everyone! |
| Country |  United States |
| Broadcast area | National (but not available in all markets) |
| Formerly called | Smart Place for Kids |
| Sister channel(s) | Ion Television, ION Life, NBC, Telemundo |
| Website | http://www.qubo.com |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| digital television | varies; usually xx.2 of ION Television stations |
| Cable | |
| Available on selected cable systems. | Check local listings for channels |
| IPTV | |
| Sky Angel | Channel 307 |
qubo (pronounced "Q-bo", originally called Smart Place for Kids until August 23, 2006[1]) is the name of the American children's programming endeavor involving three broadcast networks, a digital television network, and numerous children's entertainment producers.
Contents |
History
On May 8, 2006, ION Media Networks, Cartoon Network, Corus Entertainment's Nelvana unit, Scholastic Books, Classic Media and its Big Idea Productions unit announced plans to launch a new children's entertainment endeavor spread across all media platforms, including video-on-demand on digital cable and an interactive webpage.
The primary goal for qubo will be to "champion literacy and values in the children's television category."[2] The endeavor will utilize ION's digital broadcast outlets, the educational, literary, and creative assets of Scholastic, and the combined content libraries and production facilities of Nelvana, Classic Media, Big Idea, and NBC Universal, which will also dedicate their weekend morning lineups to qubo. More than 1,000 half-hours of children's programming, including a new, original series from each of the partners per year, will air throughout the year.
Qubo debuted on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday, September 9, 2006. This was followed by NBC's qubo block repeating on Ion Television, which began on Friday, September 15, 2006.
All programming on qubo meets the FCC's "E/I" requirements using the same E/I bug used for PBS's programming (although they are not affiliated with PBS in any way). None of the partners has publicly explained why the name "qubo" was chosen, or why its logo is a cube, although in an interview with general manager Rick Rodriguez, he stated that the name was supposed to be something which sounded fun, and could easily be used in both English and Spanish.[3] The Programing on Qubo Channel is NOT all E/I programing only select shows are. For example: if you watched Willa's Wild Life on Qubo block it would have the E/I bug. As on Qubo Channel It doesn't. Newer shows like Pearlie Pippi Longstaking and Rescue Heroes do NOT meet E/I requirements. Babar is sometimes very violient on Qubo Channel. It was not until recently when Babar episodes became more appropriate. The violent episodes now air Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9:30.
Stand-alone digital network
A 24-hour broadcast digital television network, carried via the -DT2 digital subchannel of ION's affiliates, began broadcasting on January 8, 2007.[4] qubo’s digital channel initially launched with a rolling four-hour block of children’s programming. Almost all of the programming also comes with an alternate Spanish language soundtrack via the SAP channel, and Spanish closed captioning via CC3.
On December 3, 2007, qubo expanded its offerings on the digital channel to include shows from other producers, as well as some programming currently seen on the main qubo block on NBC. In addition, the block was expanded to a 6-hour block, seen four times each day.[5]
In January 2008, ION Media Networks and Comcast reached an agreement to continue carrying ION's bouquet of digital channels—Ion Television, qubo and ION Life.[6][7] On July 17, 2008, qubo was formally added to line-ups on most Comcast systems.
ION is currently seeking the inquiry of the Federal Communications Commission for must-carry cable and satellite carriage of qubo.[8]
Scheduling notes
Not all shows are seen on all stations. During the NBC block, the programming might be delayed or pre-empted because of local affiliates schedules, or delayed by the network to show sporting events such as Wimbledon, The French Open, and the USGA's U.S. Open. As with all Saturday morning programming it is advisable to check local listings for showtimes. Usually when there's a delay, a special notice is shown during commercial breaks to note the delays, as part of E/I compliance.
Due to ION's extension of regular programming, ION airs the block into airing one hour Wednesdays-Fridays at 3:00PM Eastern/2:00PM Central.
Criticism
Initially, the VeggieTales broadcasts did not feature the religious content that appears on the videos before and after the main feature, since the block is designed to educate all viewers. This has drawn criticism for the block and NBC in particular from the conservative watchdog group Parents Television Council, as well as VeggieTales co-creator Phil Vischer, who claims that he was unaware of the intent to edit out religious content when the program was acquired for qubo.[9]
qubo programming
Current programs seen in the qubo block
These programs are also seen on the network.
- Babar¹
- My Friend Rabbit
- Willa's Wild Life
- Shelldon
- Jane and the Dragon
- The Zula Patrol
- Boohbah
Current programs seen on qubo network
- Maisy¹
- Gofrette¹
- Elliot Moose¹
- Postman Pat
- Pecola¹
- Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse¹
- Rupert¹
- Adventures from the Book of Virtues¹
- 3-2-1 Penguins!²
- Jacob Two-Two²
- Turbo Dogs (Six More Week Ago)
- Pippi Longstocking¹
- Pearlie
- Rescue Heroes
- Miss BG
- Sitting Ducks
1- Reruns from another network.
2- originally part of the qubo block
Current shorts
- The Zimmer Twins
- Care Bears¹
- Disney's Doug¹
- Sing A Song With VeggieTales
- Count For Qubo
- Mr. King (TV Series)
- P. J. Funny Bunny
- Cake (TV Series)
- Qubo Range
- Qubo (TV Series)
Former programming
- VeggieTales² (September 9, 2006 – September 5, 2009)
- Horseland¹
- Boo! (TV Series)
- Lamb Chop's Play-Along¹ (January 8, 2007 – September 12, 2009)
- Theodore Tugboat¹ (January 8, 2007 – September 12, 2009)
- Dragon² (December 3, 2007 – September 12, 2009)
- Sammy's Story Shop (November 3, 2008 – September 12, 2009)
- Class of the Titans (September 19, 2009 - October 25, 2009)
- Being Ian (September 19, 2009 - October 25, 2009)
- Spliced (September 19, 2009 - October 25, 2009)
- Wilbur
References
- ^ "Qubo to launch on NBC, Telemundo and the i Network this September". http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20060823000000-qubotolaunchonnb.html.
- ^ Press
- ^ "Qubo’s Rodriguez: Offering a 'Building Block’ to Kids". http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6388422.html. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
- ^ "Qubo 24/7". http://qubo.com/qubo247.asp.
- ^ "qubo Launches as 24-Hour Digital Broadcast Channel on ION Media Networks Station Group". http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070108005950&newsLang=en.
- ^ ION Media Networks and Comcast Announce Affiliation Agreement for Channel Suite, Yahoo!, January 14, 2008
- ^ ION Media Plugs In New Comcast Accord, Multichannel News, January 14, 2008
- ^ Ion Uses FCC Inquiry on Content Control to Push for Qubo Carriage, MultiChannel News, May 19, 2009
- ^ Associated Press (22 September 2006), "God references quashed; 'VeggieTales creator steamed", CNN.com, Entertainment News (Los Angeles, California, United States: CNN), archived from the original on 4 October 2006, http://web.archive.org/web/20061004173931/http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/22/veggietales.controversy.ap/index.html, retrieved 22 June 2009
External links==
- Official website
- Qubo: TV Schedule
- Official Press Release at ION's website
- Official Press Release at NBC-Universal
- Animation Insider: "qubo Goes 24/7"
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