NBCUniversal Shutting Down Universal Kids Cable Network
deadline.comNBCUniversal, which has already been evaluating its stake in the declining pay-TV business, plans to shut down cable network Universal Kids.
The move, slated to take effect March 6, comes as NBCU prepares to spin off most of its cable networks into a new, publicly traded company to be led by longtime senior exec Mark Lazarus.
That transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025. Bravo is the notable holdout, expected to stay in the main corporate fold along with NBC, Telemundo and the local station portfolio. “NBCUniversal remains committed to family entertainment, including award-winning brands Illumination and Dreamworks Animation, as well as Kids-focused programming on Peacock,” a company spokesperson told Deadline in a statement.
Universal Kids was created from the network formerly known as Sprout. That joint venture with PBS Kids was a competitor during the pre-YouTube era when Nickelodeon, Disney and Time Warner were its rivals for young viewers and families tuning in on cable.
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