Nick Jr.
- This article is about the U.S. television block of programming on Nickelodeon. For the British channel, see Nick Jr. (UK) and for the Australian channel, see Nick Jr. Australia.
| File:Nick jr logo.jpg | |
| Type | Cable network (cartoons), broadcast over Nickelodeon |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | National |
| Owner | MTV Networks (Viacom) |
Launch date | 1983 |
Official website | http://www.nickjr.com/ |
Nick Jr. is part of the Nickelodeon programming channel, seen on Nickelodeon weekday mornings from 9AM to 2PM ET. Summer hours may vary, with Nick Jr. starting as early as 9AM ET and ending as late as 1PM ET, depending on the time of the season and other shows scheduled. It is aimed at a preschool-age audience.
Until recently, programming during this block are aired generally without commercial interruption.
History
Buildup
Before 1983, 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 8 AM and 3 PM Eastern, which approximates the hours in which older children might be in school.[1]
1983–1994
By the end of 1983, 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. only 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, and child, but varied in the shape or species (e.g. two rabbits, two simplified human figures, two trees), 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 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–present
In the U.S., Nick Jr. has a new mascot named Piper, an opossum. 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 O'Possum ends on Friday September 7th 2007 at 1:30PM Eastern/12:30PM Central Before Max and Ruby.
There is a CD with music from Nick Jr. shows available titled Dance and Sing: The Best of Nick Jr.
CBS and Telemundo cross programming
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's qubo block.
Former and current slogans
- "Nick Jr. is Just for You!" (1983-2000)
- "Nick Jr. is Just for Me!" (2000-2002)
- "Nick Jr. Play To Learn" (2002-2007)
- "Burp Bur-durp on Nick Jr." (2007-Present)
- "Your Kids Network in HD" (2008-Present)