Fox Kids

For other uses, see Fox Kids (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Jetix.
Fox Kids
NetworkFox
Launched
September 8, 1990 (1990-09-08)
ClosedSeptember 7, 2002 (2002-09-07) (replaced by FoxBox on September 14, 2002)
August 2004 (2004-08) (as a channel in Europe (excluding Finland) and Latin America, replaced by Jetix)[1]
January 6, 2019 (Finland)
Country of originUnited States
OwnerFox Family Worldwide Inc.
Key peopleHaim Saban (CEO, Saban Entertainment)
Formerly known as
  • Fox Children's Network (1990–1991)
  • Fox Kids Network (1991–1998)
Sister networkFox Children's Productions
FormatChildren's programming
Original language(s)American English
Official websiteOfficial website

Fox Kids (originally known as Fox Children's Network and later as the Fox Kids Network; stylized as FOX KIDS) was an American children's programming block and branding for a slate of international children's television channels. Originally a joint venture between the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox) and its affiliated stations, it was later owned by Fox Family Worldwide.[2]

The Fox Kids brand originated on a programming block that launched on the Fox network from September 8, 1990, to September 7, 2002. The block aired on Saturday mornings throughout its existence (Sunday mornings in Canada), with an additional lineup on Monday through Friday afternoons airing until January 2002. Fox Kids is the only form of daytime television programming, outside of sports, aired by the Fox network to date.[3][4] Following then-Fox parent News Corporation's sale of Fox Kids Worldwide to The Walt Disney Company in July 2001, Fox put the remaining Saturday morning timeslot up for bidding, with 4Kids Entertainment winning and securing the rights to program that period. The Fox Kids block continued to air until September 7, 2002, and was replaced the following week (on September 14) by the 4Kids-programmed FoxBox block.[5]

Fox Kids was best known for airing the most-popular programs on the network, such as Bobby’s World and the Power Rangers series, with the latter dominating the block's schedule with increased ratings and creating a franchise, resulting in Fox Kids frequently using Power Rangers for its promotions due to the shows’ popularity.[6]

Outside the United States, the first Fox Kids-branded television channel was launched in Australia on October 1, 1995, on cable and satellite television provider Foxtel. It then expanded to the UK and Ireland, launching on BSkyB in 1996, and after that it started broadcasts in Latin America on November of that same year. The channel expanded between 1997 and 2001 in Europe and Middle East,[7] and beginning in 2004, the international Fox Kids channels were gradually relaunched under the Jetix brand following Disney's acquisition of Fox Family Worldwide.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Fox Kids Europe Name Change Official". 14 July 2004.
  2. ^ Schneider, Michael; Grego, Melissa (September 9, 2001). "Fox Kids Net Adopted by Fox TV Ent". Variety. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  3. ^ Tomlinson, Heather (July 28, 2001). "Murdoch Parts with the Power Rangers and the Preacher Man". The Independent. London. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  4. ^ Cerone, Daniel (February 20, 1993). "Animated Series Has Helped Fox Challenge the Other Networks on Saturday Mornings". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  5. ^ Paula Bernstein (January 18, 2002). "4Kids Buys 4 Hours from Fox Kids". Variety. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  6. ^ "'Power Rangers' takes Fox Kids to the top". USA Today. October 9, 1994.
  7. ^ "Channel Launches". Archived from the original on 2005-09-11.