- Qubo
Infobox TV channel
name = qubo
logofile = Qubo.png
logosize =
logoalt =
logo2 =
launch = January 8, 2007
closed date =
picture format =480i (SDTV )
share =
share as of =
share source =
network = IONNBC Telemundo (broadcast in Spanish)
owner =ION Media Networks Corus Entertainment 'sNelvana UnitNBC Universal Scholastic Books Classic Media Big Idea Productions
slogan = qubo's for everyone!
country = flagicon|USAUnited States
broadcast area =
headquarters =
former names =
replaced names =
sister names =Ion Television ,Ion Life
timeshift names =
web = [http://www.qubo.com Official qubo Website]
terr serv 1 = digital television
terr chan 1 = varies; usually -DT2
sat serv 1 =
sat chan 1 =
cable serv 1 =Comcast
cable chan 1 = varies
cable serv 2 =Time Warner Cable
cable chan 2 = varies
adsl serv 1=Sky Angel
adsl chan 1=Channel 307"qubo" (pronounced "kyoo-bo", originally called Smart Place for Kids until
August 23 ,2006 [cite web|url= http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20060823000000-qubotolaunchonnb.html |title=Qubo to launch on NBC, Telemundo and the i Network this September] ) is the name of the American children's programming endeavor involving three broadcast networks, a new digital television network, and numerous children's entertainment producers.History
On
May 8 , 2006,ION Media Networks ,NBC Universal ,Corus Entertainment 'sNelvana unit,Scholastic Books , andClassic Media and itsBig Idea Productions unit announced plans to launch a new children's entertainment endeavor spread across all media platforms, includingvideo-on-demand ondigital cable and an interactive webpage.The primary goal for qubo will be to "champion literacy and values in the children's television category." [ [http://www.ionmedia.tv/press/press.cfm?id=4 Press ] ] The endeavor will utilize ION's digital broadcast outlets, the educational, literary, and creative assets of Scholastic, and the combined content libraries and production facilities of Nelvana, Classic Media, Big Idea, and NBC Universal, which will also dedicate their weekend morning lineups to qubo. More than 1,000 half-hours of children's programming, including a new, original series from each of the partners per year, will air throughout the year.
Qubo debuted on
NBC andTelemundo on Saturday,September 9 ,2006 . This was followed by NBC's qubo block repeating onIon Television , which began on Friday,September 15 , 2006.All programming on qubo meets the FCC's "
E/I " requirements using the same E/I bug used forPBS 's programming (although they are not affiliated with PBS in any way). None of the partners has publicly explained why the name "qubo" was chosen, or why its logo is a cube, although in an interview with general manager Rick Rodriguez, he stated that the name was supposed to be something which sounded fun, and could easily be used in both English and Spanish. cite web |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6388422.html |title=Qubo’s Rodriguez: Offering a 'Building Block’ to Kids |accessdate=2008-02-16 |format= |work= ]tand-alone digital network
A 24-hour broadcast
digital television network, carried via the -DT2digital subchannel of ION's affiliates, began broadcasting on January 8, 2007. [cite web|url= http://qubo.com/qubo247.asp |title=Qubo 24/7] qubo’s digital channel initially launched with a rolling four-hour block of children’s programming. Almost all of the programming also comes with an alternateSpanish language soundtrack via the SAP channel, and Spanishclosed captioning via CC3.On December 3, 2007, qubo expanded its offerings on the digital channel to include shows from other producers, as well as some programming currently seen on the main qubo block on NBC. In addition, the block was expanded to a 6-hour block, seen four times each day. [cite web|url= http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070108005950&newsLang=en |title=qubo Launches as 24-Hour Digital Broadcast Channel on ION Media Networks Station Group]
In January 2008, ION Media Networks and
Comcast reached an agreement to continue carrying ION's bouquet of digital channels -- ION Television, qubo andION Life . [ [http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080114/20080114005909.html ION Media Networks and Comcast Announce Affiliation Agreement for Channel Suite] , "Yahoo!",January 14 ,2008 ] [ [http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6522639.html ION Media Plugs In New Comcast Accord] , "Multichannel News",January 14 ,2008 ] On July 17, 2008, qubo was formally added to line-ups on most Comcast systems. Fact|date=August 2008cheduling notes
Not all shows are seen on all stations. During the NBC block, the programming might be delayed or pre-empted because of local affiliates schedules, or delayed by the network to show sporting events such as Wimbledon, The French Open, and the U.S. (Golf) Open. As with all Saturday morning programming it is advisable to check local listings for showtimes.Usually when there's a delay, a special notice is shown during commercial breaks to note the delays.
Due to ION's extension of regular programming, ION will break up the block into airing one hour Wednesdays-Fridays at 3/2c.
Criticism
Originally, the "VeggieTales" broadcasts initially did not feature the religious content that appears on the videos before and after the main feature, since the block is designed to educate all viewers. This has drawn criticism for the block and NBC in particular from the conservative watchdog group
Parents Television Council , as well as "VeggieTales" co-creatorPhil Vischer , who claims that he was unaware of the intent to edit out religious content when the program was acquired for qubo. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/22/veggietales.controversy.ap] .qubo programming
Programs seen in the qubo block
These programs are also seen on the digital channel.
* "
My Friend Rabbit "
* "3-2-1 Penguins! "
* "VeggieTales "
* "Jane and the Dragon"
* "Zula Patrol "
* "Turbo Dogs "Programs seen on qubo digital
* "
Theodore Tugboat "¹
* "Postman Pat "²
* "Boo!"
* "Lamb Chop's Play-Along "¹
* "Elliot Moose"¹
* "Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse "¹
* "Pecola "¹
* "Rupert"¹
* "Babar "²
* "Miss BG "¹
* "Jacob Two-Two"²
* "Sitting Ducks"¹
* "Dragon"²*1- Reruns from another network
*2- originally part of the qubo blockFormer programming
* "
Zimmer Twins "
* "Wilbur"References
External links
* [http://qubo.com/channel/ Qubo: TV Schedule]
* [http://www.qubo.com Official qubo Website]
* [http://www.ionmedia.tv/press/press.cfm?id=14 Official Press Release at ION's website]
* [http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20060823000000-qubotolaunchonnb.html Official Press Release at NBC-Universal]
* [http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=1246&document=2 Animation Insider: "qubo Goes 24/7"]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.