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Revision as of 21:09, 10 April 2009
- This article is about the U.S. television block of programming on Nickelodeon. For the United Kingdom & Ireland channel, see Nick Jr. (UK & Ireland) and for the Australian channel, see Nick Jr. Australia.
| File:Nick jr logo.jpg | |
| Type | Young kids channel |
|---|---|
| Country | US |
Launch date | 1988 |
| Affiliation(s) | (channel) |
Former affiliations | Nickelodeon |
Official website | http://www.nickjr.com |
Nick Jr. was part of the Nickelodeon programming channel, seen on Nickelodeon weekday mornings. It was aimed at a preschool-age audience ages 5 and under (sometimes older). In September 2009, Nick Jr. will become it's own official channel replacing Noggin.
Programming during this block were generally seen without commercial interruption, although advertisements did run between the programs. In September 2009, when Nick Jr. replaces Noggin, Nick Jr. will become commercial-free.
History
Buildup
Before 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 AM and 3 PM Eastern, which approximates the hours in which older children might be in school.[1]
1988–1994
By the start of 1988, the Nick Jr. brand was in place and in use, with an approximate six hour portion of the Nickelodeon broadcast day, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Eastern time.[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), which remains in use today.
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 (David the Gnome, Noozles, The Adventures of the Little Koala, The Little Prince). Programming in the vein of live action and puppeted preschool programming also appeared during this time.
1994–2004
There is 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] This was also the year in which Nick Jr. introduced "Face", an animated, two-dimensional face that changed color throughout his segments and introduced or wrapped up shows and smaller variety pieces. Programming during this period included Allegra's Window, Little Bear, Gullah Gullah Island, and The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Face, in the context of its segments, was capable of materializing objects such as beach balls, scuba gear, space ships and stars and 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..
2004–2007
In the U.S., Nick Jr. had a mascot named Piper, an opossum from 2004-2007. Piper O'Possum, as the character is known, is also the daytime presenter of the British version of Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. 2. Piper is voiced by Allison Brustofski. On Nick Jr.'s British service, Piper is voiced by a British voice-over actor, with Allison's laugh. Piper was last shown on Nick Jr. September 2007.Its unkown if Nick Jr will have a host on the new channel.
There is a CD with music from Nick Jr. shows available titled Dance and Sing: The Best of Nick Jr.
2007 and beyond
In September 2007, Nick Jr. introduced new graphics, and music. This saw the introduction of Nick Jr.'s Playdate which indicates preschoolers to play and learn with Nick Jr. characters. Nickelodeon dropped the Nick Jr. name from its morning block in February 2009. Nick Jr. programs continue to air in that slot, but under the Nickelodeon banner. In September 2009, Noggin will become Nick Jr. Also, it will have the "Preschool On TV"/"Play With Us" slogan.
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 the DiC-programmed KOL Secret Slumber Party on CBS began.
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.