KidsClick

For the Hong Kong children's program, see Kids Click.

KidsClick
NetworkThis TV (2017–18)
TBD (2018–19)
Syndication (2017–19)
LaunchedJuly 1, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-07-01)
ClosedMarch 31, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-03-31)
Country of originUnited States
OwnerSinclair Broadcast Group
Key people
  • Daniel Barnathan
  • (Vice President, Family and Children's Programming and Sales)
  • Jonathan Dern
  • (Executive Producer)[1]
FormatWeekday/weekend morning cartoon block
Running time3 hours
Original language(s)English

KidsClick was a daily children's programming block distributed by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which premiered on July 1, 2017. The block, which primarily consisted of long-form animated series as well as some short-form content, was carried in the U.S. on terrestrial television network TBD, and on Sinclair-owned/operated television stations in several markets.[2] At launch, the block was available in 75 million households.[1] The block marked the return of traditional weekday cartoons and Saturday morning cartoons to terrestrial television,[3] as well as the first children's programming block on U.S. free-to-air television not to comply with Children's Television Act regulations since the Saban Brands-produced Vortexx was discontinued on September 27, 2014.

The This TV iteration of the block accompanied an existing, unbranded lineup of educational programming on weekend mornings, which had aired on the network since November 1, 2013, after the discontinuation of Cookie Jar Toons (which coincided with original co-owner Weigel Broadcasting transferring its 50% interest in the network to Tribune Broadcasting, as well as the Cookie Jar Group's absorption into DHX Media [now WildBrain]); it also marked the first time that This TV had carried children's programming on Monday through Saturday mornings since Tribune (whom Sinclair later attempted and failed to acquire)[4][5] assumed partial ownership of the network. On July 1, 2018, This TV discontinued carriage of KidsClick, which was transferred to Sinclair's TBD channel, which had been carrying the block on a transitional basis since May 7 of that year.[6]

On March 29, 2019, shortly after closing sister site Circa News, KidsClick's Facebook page announced the block's discontinuation on March 31, 2019.[7][8]

  1. ^ a b "Sinclair Names Dan Barnathan VP Family and Children's Programming and Sales; Jonathan Dern Executive Producer" (Press release). Sinclair Broadcast Group. PR Newswire. June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017 – via WDRB-TV.
  2. ^ Diana Marszalek (May 3, 2017). "Sinclair Wants Back in on Kids' TV". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Jacobson, Adam (May 2, 2017). "'KidsClick' Multi-Platform Programming Block Set For Sinclair". Radio+Television Business Report. Streamline Publishing. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  4. ^ Stephen Battaglio (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Cynthia Littleton (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast Group Sets $3.9 Billion Deal to Acquire Tribune Media". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  6. ^ @KidsClickTV (July 5, 2018). "We were sad too, but the good news is we are still on TV on TBD. You can check their market list to see where we are in your area: http://tbd.com/watch-on-tv . You can always watch on our app or site as well: https://kidsclick.com" (Tweet). Retrieved July 19, 2018 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Kidsclick". www.facebook.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Hazard Owen, Laura (March 27, 2019). "Circa, Sinclair's millennial-focused news site (and the final remains of some interesting mobile ideas), is shutting down". Nieman Lab. Retrieved March 31, 2019.