NBCUniversal to Shut Down Universal Kids Network

NBCUniversal has confirmed that its cable network Universal Kids will shut down on March 6, 2025, as part of a broader strategy to spin off several of its cable channels into a new entity. The network, which evolved from the preschool-focused PBS Kids Sprout, has seen a significant decline in viewership, averaging just 20,000 viewers in the past year, down 5% from the previous year. In recent years, Universal Kids shifted its programming strategy to focus primarily on DreamWorks Animation acquisitions, resulting in a lack of original content. Despite the closure of Universal Kids, NBCUniversal reaffirms its commitment to family entertainment and kids' programming, particularly on its streaming service Peacock. The decision highlights the ongoing trend of cord-cutting and the industry's shift towards digital platforms for children's content. Universal Kids' final programming slate included a mix of preschool series and DreamWorks Animation shows, but its fate had been uncertain amid declining interest in traditional cable networks.