| BBC Kids | |
|---|---|
| BBC Kids logo | |
| Launched | November 5, 2001 |
| Owned by | Knowledge Network Corporation (80% & managing partner) BBC Worldwide (20%) |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| Website | BBC Kids |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 558 |
| Cable | |
| Available on many Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 255 |
| MTS | Channel 252 |
| Optik TV | Channel 71 |
| SaskTel | Channel 94 |
BBC Kids is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Knowledge Network Corporation and BBC Worldwide. It's a commercial-free channel that airs programming aimed at youth ranging from pre-schoolers to teens.
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In November 2000, Alliance Atlantis (AAC) was granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch BBC Kids, described as "a national English-language Category 2 specialty television service devoted to top-quality educational and entertaining programming for children and youth (ages 2-17). It will feature programming primarily from the UK and around the world. 65% of the programming will target children ages 2 to 11, the majority of which will target 6 to 11 years old and 35% will target youth ages 12 to 17."[1]
The channel was launched on November 5, 2001 as a joint venture between AAC and BBC Worldwide.[2][3]
The channel primarily aired programs from the UK, from which the vast majority were sourced from the BBC and it's affiliated channels; however, throughout its history under the ownership of AAC and its subsequent incarnations under Canwest and Shaw, select programs were sourced from other countries and other British broadcasters such as Tots TV, Mr Bean: The Animated Series, and The Sleepover Club. In addition to British programs, the channel also broadcast Canadian programs, as per required by the CRTC.
On January 18, 2008,[4] a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media,[5] acquired control of BBC Kids through its purchase of Alliance Atlantis' broadcasting assets, which were placed in a trust in August 2007.[6]
On October 27, 2010, ownership changed once again as Shaw Communications gained control of BBC Kids as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.[7][8]
It was revealed through regulatory documents on December 22, 2010 that Shaw Media was in the process of selling the channel to an unknown third party.[9] On January 17, 2011, Knowledge Network Corporation announced it had finalized an agreement to purchase the channel through a subsidiary called Knowledge-West Communications Corporation from Shaw Media, while BBC Worldwide would retain their interest in the service.[10] Plans unveiled in the announcement were to transform BBC Kids into a commercial-free service and relocate its headquarters from Toronto to Burnaby, British Columbia, the headquarters of Knowledge Network Corporation. The transaction required CRTC approval, which was granted on April 29, 2011.[11] The CRTC's decision also imposed a condition of licence on the service requiring it to be distributed on a commercial-free basis, a condition Knowledge Network Corporation asked for. The transaction closed on May 12, 2011.
BBC Kids broadcasts educational and entertainment programs from the BBC and Canadian series aimed at children ranging from preschoolers to teens in the form of live-action and animated comedies and dramas, reality shows, and documentaries, among others.
CBeebies is a programming block aimed at preschoolers airing from 9 am EST to 3 pm EST Monday to Friday. It was launched on May 12, 2011 when Knowledge Network Corporation took ownership of the channel.
On April 3, 2006, while still under the ownership of Alliance Atlantis and BBC Worldwide, a new programming block called BBCK was unveiled. BBCK was a branding for the evening and late night block of programming beginning at 9pm EST on BBC Kids which was aimed towards an older audience. They also launched a separate website making it appear as though BBCK was a separate channel similar to the former agreement between Noggin and The N in the United States. In early 2008 when Canwest and Goldman Sachs purchased Alliance Atlantis, the BBCK website was shut down, however, the block remained until May 12, 2011 when ownership changed hands from Shaw Media to Knowledge Network Corporation.
BBC Kids formerly aired a programming block called The Spot, which aired from noon EST to 9pm EST Monday to Friday and 6am EST to 2pm EST Saturday and Sunday. The Spot focused on programming for children between the stages of prechoolers and teens. The programming block was discontinued on May 12, 2011 when ownership changed hands from Shaw Media to Knowledge Network Corporation.
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