BBC Kids is a Canadian English-language Category B cable and satellite specialty channel that is owned as a joint venture between Knowledge West Communications (which serves as managing partner and owns a majority 80% interest), an entity of the Government of British Columbia as a crown corporation under Knowledge Network, and BBC Worldwide (which owns the remaining 20%), the latter being a commercial division of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It operates as a commercial-free channel that airs programming aimed at youth ranging from preschoolers to teenagers.
In November 2000, Alliance Atlantis (AAC) was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch BBC Kids, described as "a national English-language Category 2 specialty television service devoted to top-quality educational and entertaining programming for children and youth (ages 2-17). It will feature programming primarily from the UK and around the world. 65% of the programming will target children ages 2 to 11, the majority of which will target 6 to 11 years old and 35% will target youth ages 12 to 17."
The channel was launched on November 5, 2001 as a joint venture between AAC and BBC Worldwide. The channel primarily aired programs from the UK, from which the vast majority were sourced from the BBC and its affiliated channels; however, throughout its history under the ownership of AAC and its subsequent incarnations under Canwest and Shaw, select programs were sourced from other countries and other British broadcasters such as Tots TV, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and The Sleepover Club. In addition to British programs, the channel also broadcast Canadian programs, as required by the CRTC.
On January 18, 2008, a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media, acquired control of BBC Kids through its purchase of Alliance Atlantis' broadcasting assets, which were placed in a trust in August 2007.
On October 27, 2010, the channel's ownership changed once again as Shaw Communications gained control of BBC Kids as a result of its acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.
It was revealed through regulatory documents on December 22, 2010 that Shaw Media was in the process of selling the channel to an unknown third party. On January 17, 2011, the Government of British Columbia's Knowledge Network Corporation announced it had finalized an agreement to purchase the channel through a subsidiary called Knowledge-West Communications Corporation from Shaw Media, while BBC Worldwide would retain its interest in the service.
Knowledge decided to change BBC Kids from an ad-supported service to a commercial-free service, and relocate its old headquarters from Toronto, Ontario to its new headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia. The transaction required CRTC approval, which was granted on April 29, 2011.
On May 1, 2016, BBC Kids updated its logo to reflect its 15th anniversary and to coincide with its new rebranding.
BBC Kids broadcasts educational and entertainment programs from the BBC and Canadian series aimed at children ranging in age from 2 to 17 years in the form of live-action and animated programs.
The following programs are currently airing on the channel as of 29 August 2016:
The New Adventures of Figaro Pho (also on Family CHRGD)Atomic BettyBeing IanBernardBlack Hole HighCanimalsCreature ComfortsDeadly 60DoodlezDude, That's My Ghost!EmmaHank ZipzerHorrible HistoriesHorrible ScienceThe Jungle BunchLark Rise to CandlefordLillyLockie LeonardMarco PoloMinusculeMolangMona the VampireMoone BoyMonkMr. BeanMr. Bean: The Animated SeriesOddbodsThe ParadisePrank PatrolRank the PrankRobin Hood: Mischief in SherwoodRoboRoachShaun the SheepWalk on the Wild SideWild and WeirdYoung Dracula3rd & BirdAndy's Wild AdventuresBaby JakeBojCharlie and LolaClangers (also on Treehouse TV)Digby DragonFlorrie's DragonsGeorge ShrinksGo JettersHarry and TotoHey DuggeeThe HiveKate and Mim-MimLah-Lah’s AdventuresLittle PrincessLittle RobotsMofyNelly and NoraReady Jet Go!Timmy TimeThe TumbliesSweet Tweets4 O'Clock ClubThe Adventures of Paddington BearAnimal StoriesAll About AnimalsArchibald the KoalaAre You Afraid of the Dark?ArthurBananas in Pajamas (1992 live-action series only.)Big Wolf on CampusBinkaBob the Builder (moved to the DHX Media channel Family Jr.)Brady's BeastsBrat CampBuzz and TellCaitlin's WayChorlton and the WheeliesDance AcademyDinosapienDogs with JobsEscape from Scorpion IslandThe Famous Jett JacksonFraggle RockGarth and BevGawaynHumfIvick von SalzaJacob Two-TwoJoe and JackJunior MasterChefKerwhizzThe KlumpiesThe Life of BirdsLightning PointLunar JimM.I. HighMe and My MonstersMr Bloom's NurseryNaturally, SadieNina and the NeuronsNoonbory and the Super SevenNuzzle and ScratchOlive the OstrichOlliver's AdventuresOut ThereOur HeroPat & StanPinguPopular Mechanics for KidsPostman PatRainbow FishRastamouseRavenRicky Sprocket: Showbiz BoyRobin HoodReady or NotThe Sarah Jane AdventuresS Club 7 in MiamiS Club 7 in L.A.S Club 7 in HollywoodThe Secret ShowSilverwingThe Sorcerer's ApprenticeSurprise! It's Edible Incredible!The TeletubbiesTheodore TugboatThomas and FriendsTrapped!Tree Fu TomTweeniesWalk on the Wild SideWeakest LinkWhat About Mimi?Who Let the Dogs Out?William's Wish WellingtonsWoolly and TigThe Worst WitchYam RollYakkity YakZoboomafooBlackadderDoctor WhoHollyoaksHyperdriveK-9Joan of ArcadiaLittle BritainThe Mighty BooshReel Late MoviesTop of the PopsWhat Not to WearThe Young OnesCBeebies - "CBeebies" is a programming block aimed at preschoolers that airs weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and weekends from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. It debuted on May 13, 2011, when Knowledge Network Corporation took ownership of the channel, when BBC Kids was changed from an ad-supported service to a commercial-free service, and the day BBCK and The Spot stopped airing on the channel .Cartoon Afternoons - "Cartoon Afternoons" is a programming block dedicated to animated television series that airs weekdays from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.Drama at 8 - "Drama at 8" is a primetime block featuring various British dramas, such as Emma and Moone Boy. It airs every weeknight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.BBCK - "BBCK" was a program block aimed towards pre-teen and teenage audiences that debuted on April 3, 2006, while BBC Kids was still under the ownership of Alliance Atlantis and BBC Worldwide, airing nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time. With the block's launch, the channel also launched a separate website, making it appear as though BBCK was a separate channel similar to the former agreement between Noggin and The N in the United States. In early 2008, when Canwest Global and Goldman Sachs purchased Alliance Atlantis, the BBCK website was shut down; however, the block itself remained until May 12, 2011 when ownership changed hands from Shaw Media to Knowledge Network Corporation and when BBC Kids was changed from an ad-supported service to a commercial-free service..The Spot - Until May 12, 2011, BBC Kids aired a block called "The Spot", which aired weekdays from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. and weekends from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. "The Spot" focused on programming aimed at grade school and pre-teen audiences. The block was discontinued after May 12, 2011 when the channel's ownership changed hands from Shaw Media to Knowledge Network Corporation and when BBC Kids was changed from an ad-supported service to a commercial-free service.Jamaica - distributed on Flow Cable systems.The Bahamas - distributed on Cable Bahamas systems.