NBCUniversal is tightening its belt at the moment, getting rid of lacking shows and presenters, and now even cutting a whole cable channel.
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It's time to tuck Universal Kids into bed and say goodnight as they drop it from their NBCUniversal lineup. After its purchase in 2013 the show has been a staple of kids cable. However, it simply isn't bringing in the viewership anymore and has to go.
NBCUniversal teamed up with Dreamworks not too long ago to breathe some more life into the stagnant channel. With their partnership, new shows such as Dragons: Riders of Berk and DreamWorks' Where's Waldo was born.
However, it just wasn't enough, and now that NBCUniversal is reigning in unnecessary spending, Universal Kids is out of here. However, this doesn't mean the end of NBCUniversal's focus on providing family entertainment. They have a partnership with Dreamworks and plan to use it.
"NBCUniversal remains committed to family entertainment, including award-winning brands Illumination and Dreamworks Animation, as well as kids-focused programming on Peacock," the said in a statement to Variety.
NBCUniversal Undertaking A Major Reshuffle
Due to falling ratings and viewership, NBCUniversal is having to make some pretty drastic changes. A number of shows have been cut, and staff are being relocated. The Reid Out has recently been cut from MSNBC leaving her 100 or so staff to scramble for new employment within the company.
With the end of the kid's TV channel, there will be a lot more staff out of work, again.
NBCUniversal has also created a new company called SpinCo, planned to be given to Mark Lazarus to manage. Almost all current channels will be moved to it including MSNBC, CNBC, E!, Syfy, USA Network, Oxygen, and The Golf Channel. Only Bravo will be left where it is. SpinCo might sound like an exercise class angled toward middle-aged parents. But, it's actually part of the NBCUniversal Hail Mary.
The end of the children's channel on the NBCUniversal network is just a part of a much bigger plan for them. Times are tough over there, and if they don't pull their socks up, they could go under. Fewer people are watching cable TV than ever. Things need to change for them to stay relevant.
