NBCUniversal Shuts Down Kids Network In Favor Of Streaming

NBCUniversal is officially pulling the plug on Universal Kids, with the cable network set to go dark on March 6, 2025, according to Variety. The company also said they “remain committed to family entertainment.” This move isn’t all that surprising; it’s just the latest example of traditional TV networks struggling to keep up as audiences shift more toward streaming. Instead of fighting to keep the network afloat, NBCUniversal is shifting its focus to digital platforms, following a trend that’s been reshaping the industry for years.

Universal Kids’ Rocky Journey

Universal Kids started out in 2005 as PBS Kids Sprout, a preschool-focused network created in partnership with PBS, Comcast, Sesame Workshop, and HIT Entertainment. After Comcast took full control, it rebranded the network twice (first as Sprout, then as Universal Kids in 2017) in an attempt to expand its audience beyond preschoolers and into the older kids’ market.

But things didn’t exactly go as planned. IndieWire indicates that viewership dropped by 30% in 2017 and then continued to shift,plummeting another 73% in 2018. With numbers like that, NBCUniversal decided in 2019 to stop producing original shows for the network, instead relying on reruns and content from DreamWorks Animation. But even with this pivot, Universal Kids never managed to find its footing among similar networks.

The Bigger Picture: Cable vs. Streaming

Shutting down Universal Kids fits into NBCUniversal’s larger strategy of moving away from traditional cable TV. In late 2024, Comcast announced plans to spin off its cable networks (like CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, and Syfy) into a new company, tentatively called “SpinCo.” But Universal Kids didn’t make the cut, making its fate all but sealed.

The end of Universal Kids marks another shift in the media landscape, where linear TV is losing ground to streaming at an increasing pace. It’s a reminder that as audiences’ viewing habits evolve, networks either have to adapt or fade away.

Rather than fighting for a shrinking cable audience, NBCUniversal is doubling down on streaming. Several shows will need to find a new home, including “American Ninja Warrior Junior,” “The Big Fun Crafty Show,” “The Chica Show,” “Cocomelon,” and “Floogals,” just to name a few. Peacock and DreamWorks Animation will continue to be the company’s go-to platforms for family content, targeting younger viewers where they already are; on-demand and online. Fans will have to wait and see where their favorite shows end up once Universal Kids goes dark.