Qubo, a new multi-platform television network for children that champions literacy and positive values through entertainment, will launch its first platform, the qubo programming block, this September. Broadcasting in both English and Spanish, the block will premiere on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday morning (Sept. 9), Telemundo on Sunday morning (Sept. 10) and ION Media Networks' i network on Friday afternoon (Sept. 15).
Representing an alliance of leading distribution and content providers in children's television, qubo was created when NBC Universal, Scholastic, Corus Ent. and Classic Media/Big Idea joined forces in May 2006 with the national TV distribution systems of ION Media Networks, NBC and Telemundo.
The new E/I (educational and informational)-compliant qubo broadcast schedule has been developed for kids ages four to eight and encourages problem-solving on issues such as getting along with friends and family, overcoming fears and mastering new ideas and challenges. Future qubo multi-platform offerings will include a dedicated 24/7 digital television kids network that will launch across ION Media Networks' nationwide television station group, a branded website (www.qubotv.com) and VOD services.
The qubo schedule on NBC, the i network and Telemundo includes four U.S. broadcast premieres, DRAGON (Scholastic) JANE AND THE DRAGON (Nelvana), VEGGIETALES (Classic/Big Idea) and VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES (Classic/Big Idea), alongside much-loved programs BABAR (Nelvana) and JACOB TWO-TWO (Nelvana). Throughout the programming block, there will be positive messages reinforcing early literacy through interstitial content provided by Scholastic.
The qubo programming block schedule is as follows:
NBC Saturday Morning (premieres Sept. 9, 2006)10:00 am VEGGIETALES10:30 a.m. DRAGON11:00 am VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES 11:30 am BABAR12:00 pm JANE AND THE DRAGON12:30 pm JACOB TWO-TWO
i Network Friday Afternoon (premieres Sept. 15, 2006)3:00 pm VEGGIETALES3:30 pm DRAGON4:00 pm VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES 4:30 pm BABAR5:00 pm JANE AND THE DRAGON5:30 pm JACOB TWO-TWO
Telemundo Saturday (premieres Sept. 9, 2006)8:00 am. VEGGIETALES8:30 am DRAGON9:00 am VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES
Telemundo Sunday (starts Sept. 10, 2006)8:00 am BABAR8:30 am JANE AND THE DRAGON9:00 am JACOB TWO-TWO
"Qubo is pioneering, not only in its multi-platform structure but also because of its collaborative partnership between established media networks and respected companies in the children's entertainment and education businesses," said Marc Graboff, president, NBC Universal Television West Coast. "This unique partnership draws on the capabilities of each of these distribution and content providers to benefit children and parents. Through qubo, NBC Universal has strengthened our commitment as a supplier of children's programming and ensured that the NBC and Telemundo E/I children's programming blocks are populated with the highest quality educational and informative shows."
"We are thrilled to introduce parents and children to qubo's new brand of educational and values-oriented content," said Brandon Burgess, ceo of ION Media Networks Inc. "These programming blocks are the first phase of qubo's multi-platform rollout, which will include ION's own launch of a fully dedicated digital broadcast network later this year. With the help of our exceptional slate of partners, we are committed to increasing the quality and quantity of programming available to all children in the digital age."
"Qubo's unique and innovative approach to quality children's programming builds upon the core values of reading and literacy for all children that Scholastic has championed for 85 years," said Deborah Forte, president of Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic. "We are delighted to join our partners in providing a fun-filled bilingual media experience for children that reinforces their learning and development."
"This is a milestone for kids and families on commercial television," said Eric Ellenbogen, ceo of Classic Media. "Qubo will deliver Big Idea's hilarious brand of values-based entertainment that teaches timeless lessons like self-esteem and sharing, along with Classic's trusted library of beloved animation and live-action favorites."
"We are confident that this partnership will deliver a programming service that will delight kids and provide comfort to parents across multiple platforms," said John Cassaday, president/ceo of Corus Ent. Inc., parent company of Nelvana.
Qubo will draw upon the expertise and resources from each of the partner organizations to launch the network. Classic Media/Big Idea, Scholastic Media, Corus Ent.'s subsidiary Nelvana and NBC Universal will together contribute more than 1,000 half-hours of children's programming. The arrangement provides that in addition to the library of existing content made available to the network, each partner will also produce one original series per year. Details of future programming and platform launches will follow.
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