If you want to have Universal Kids and similar channels available for your family, it’s no problem doing so without signing up for a long-term cable contract. Read on to learn all you need to know.
In a hurry? The biggest live TV streaming services offer Universal Kids. These are our top picks:
- Fubo: With 150+ channels, it offers something for everyone. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels.
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Table Of Contents
Universal Kids is a channel that is dedicated to delivering programs for children from ages two to pre-teen. It offers a variety of animated series that please both parents and children.
Don’t worry about managing an expensive cable subscription. You can watch Universal Kids over a multitude of platforms. Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Universal Kids
Universal Kids is the family network for NBCUniversal. This channel has a long and interesting history.
Originally, it started as PBS Kids. It was launched in 1999 as a block of children’s programming. It was offered to PBS members, upper package cable subscribers, and PBS member stations that paid a subscription fee.
Unfortunately, it could not compete with Children’s Television Workshop’s Noggin channel. So in September 2005, a joint venture between Sesame Street Workshop, PBS, and HIT entertainment was formed to create PBS Kids/Sprout. Primarily, it dedicated its shows to the preschool audience.
In 2013, NBCUniversal became the primary owner, and the PBS Kids name was dropped. Rebranding occurred in 2017. At that time, Universal Kids was born and started a lineup of primetime programs that pleased the younger crowd.
For example, it carried content from DreamWorks animation, international series, and spinoffs from sister networks like Top Chef Junior and American Ninja Junior. Today, it has stopped producing original programs and rests mainly on acquired content and DreamWorks entertainment.
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Universal Kids Shows
Due to a decrease in ratings, Universal Kids decided to stop developing original content. However, there are many shows from the past that remain very popular.
For instance, The Chica Show, which was based on the puppet segments on Sprout’s The Sunny Side Up Show. This beloved show ended in 2015. Now, short videos are available to watch on the Universal Kids website.
A similar animated series, The Floogals, has videos and games on the website as well. Other favorites like American Ninja Warrior Junior, Top Chef Junior, and Get Out of My Room may now be viewed on Peacock.
Despite the changes, there are many current favorites that may be streamed from Universal Kids.
- Remy & Boo: Pairs a little girl and her best friend, a tiny blob. Her imagination takes them on many adventures, which teaches the importance of friendship.
- CoComelon: Preschoolers love singing and dancing to their favorite nursery rhymes as they watch babies and animals go through everyday activities.
- Masha and the Bear: The show is based on a children’s folktale. Masha and her bear go on many new ventures as she tries to keep him out of trouble.
- Mighty Mike: Mike is an adorable pug. He tries to live a relaxing life in his big mansion. However, mischievous furry visitors try to put a damper on his plans.
- Trolls: Based on the popular fad dolls of the 1980s, Trolls takes kids on musical adventures through Trolls’ Village. The bright colors attract young watchers, and everyone enjoys some singing and dancing.
Stream Universal Kids
Universal Kids is available on different TV streaming services.
- FuboTV: FuboTV delivers 110+ channels, including Universal Kids, Disney Junior, and Nick Jr. For $69.99 per month, you receive numerous ways to view sports programs and kids shows. All plans come with at least 750 hours of cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on ten devices. (FuboTV review)
- DIRECTV STREAM: If you subscribe to the Ultimate package for $104.99 per month, you enjoy great channels like Universal Kids, PBS Kids, BabyFirst, Nick Jr, and Disney Junior. All plans come with unlimited DVR storage (online sign-up only) and streaming on up to 20 devices at once. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes Universal Kids in its base plan for $69.99 per month. It includes 85+ total channels including Nick Jr, Disney Junior, and Discovery. Additionally, it comes with ESPN+ and Disney+. You also get unlimited cloud DVR (9 month storage) and streaming on up to two devices. (Hulu + Live TV review)
- YouTube TV: For $64.99 per month, your package includes 85+ channel including Universal Kids. Unlimited cloud storage and streaming on up to three devices is also included.
On-Demand
Various shows from Universal Kids are available on-demand on a variety of services.
- Amazon: Offers a number of Universal Kids shows for approximately $1.99 per episode. Some of the most popular titles, including The Floogals, are available. (Amazon Prime review)
- Vudu: A great alternative to Netflix and Hulu. Its numerous offerings make it easy to stream episodes of Universal Kids shows.
- Google Plus Movies: Similar to Amazon, you can purchase individual episodes of favorite Universal Kids shows for $1.99 per show.
- Hulu On-Demand: Known for its vast library of shows and movies. You can only view UK’s latest DreamWorks series Where’s Waldo? on Hulu. But there is a vast trove of kids entertainment available. (Hulu review)
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Alternatives
There are several good alternatives to Universal Kids:
- Disney Junior: Provides programming that is aimed at young children.
- Nick Jr: The preschool offshoot channel to Paramount’s Nickelodeon. Favorite shows include Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, and Blue’s Clues & You.
- PBS Kids: Public broadcasting was once tied directly with Universal Kids through its Sprout offerings. Today, it features existing series. In 2020, it became home to the Peanuts animated library.
- YouTube Kids: YouTube began a unique channel for a younger audience. Children can view age-appropriate content so that parents can rest easy.
Streaming Devices to Watch Universal Kids
All of the streaming services above support the most popular devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android mobile
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- iOS (iPhone,iPad)
- Roku
- Samsung smart TVs
- Web browsers.
Other than DIRECTV STREAM, all the services support:
- Android TV-based TVs
- LG smart TVs
- VIZIO smart TVs
- Xbox system.
Hulu and YouTube also support PlayStation units.
This list is incomplete. See our streaming service reviews for complete information.
Today’s Universal Kids Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Floogals – Project Cast; Project First Aid Kit Boy Hooman's unusually large sock on one leg; investigating a first aid kit. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Back to School | |
| Floogals – Project Fall; Project Scarecrow When Boomer crashes his Fizzer into a tree outside, all the leaves fall off, and he assumes he's broken it; Flo can't get anything to grow in her garden. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Selfie | |
| Nina's World – Nina's Superhero Day; The Best Thank You Gift Ever Nina needs Papi's help to win a superhero costume contest; Nina forgets to thank her friends for raising money to buy Javier's present. | |
| Nina's World – Nina's New Amigo; The Viva Lucha Libre Show While visiting Abuelita's friend Don Pablo, the Star Amigos discover that they can make new friends in unexpected places; after the Star Amigos meet professional luchadores, Carlos decides to create his own wrestling move, the Carlos Wham Slam. | |
| Nina's World – Nina and the Dentist; Nina's Nutty Adventure Nina is nervous for her dentist appointment and enlists the Star Amigos to help her conquer her fears; Nina finds out Aiden has a nut allergy and goes overboard making sure he is safe. | |
| Nina's World – Nina's Marionette Show; The New Nina Nina plans a marionette show to make Abuelita smile; Nina becomes jealous when the Star Amigos take a liking to her cousin, Natalia, who is visiting from Mexico. | |
| Nina's World – Nina Misses Mami and Papi; Chelsea's Slam Dunk Mami and Papi go on a weekend trip and Nina and Santi have to find a way to cope with missing their parents; Chelsea sprains her ankle right before a big basketball game and must find a way to help her team without playing. | |
| Nina's World – Chelsea's Family Day; Nina and Abuelita's Special Day Chelsea's dad visits, but she struggles to find an activity that she and her parents can do together; Nina wants to spend the whole day with just Abuelita, but everyone else wants to join in the fun. | |
| Trolls: The Beat Goes On! – Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 14 Episodes include "Wormhole," "Ear Worm," "Don't Worry Be Peppy," and "Two's A Cloud." | |
| Trolls: The Beat Goes On! – Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 15 Episodes include "Glitter Loss," "New Anthem," "Dark Side of the Lagoon," and "Mr. Glittercakes." | |
| Trolls: The Beat Goes On! – Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 16 Episodes include "Snow Day," "Guy Misses Out," "Scrap to the Future," and "Bringing Up Birdy." | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs: Volume 4 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear: Nursery Rhymes – ABC Song | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 6 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear: Nursery Rhymes – Five Little Monkeys | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 8 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – February | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 7 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Traffic Rules | |
| Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & Dave – A Ruff-Ruff Adventure; A Song Making Adventure A sad Ruff-Ruff learns how to be a happy puppy again; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave make up a song to sing at Speedy Sheep's party. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Stylish Swim | |
| Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & Dave – A Fire Fighter Adventure; A Bibble Bink Adventure Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave get to be firefighter helpers for the day and rescue Larry the Leopard Cub, who's stuck up a tree; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave learn how to speak monkey language. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Fast Food and Healthy Food | |
| Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & Dave – A Friends Adventure; A Princess Adventure Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave show two feuding friends how to be best friends again; Tweet enjoys the attention that comes with being Princess Tweet for the day, but soon learns that sometimes it's more fun to take part with her friends. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – March | |
| Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & Dave – A Prize-Winning Adventure; A Honey Adventure Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave win at the village fair's game stalls, while Hatty shows them how to be a good loser; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave help Hatty find some honey for his breakfast toast. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Well Sorted | |
| Kody Kapow – Ostrich Kapow!; Bigville Kapow! Kody has to get everyone home when the Kapows get stuck in a temple with a baby ostrich; the Kapows race to stop the Sapphire Dragon from becoming miniaturized. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Come On Let's Share | |
| Kody Kapow – Tooth Fairy Kapow!; Delivery Kapow! When Goji's tooth gets taken by a strange-looking tooth fairy who doesn't leave a gift, Kody sets out to get the tooth back from a greedy Mogo; Kody uses the power of distraction to keep the Sapphire Dragon safe. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Picnic | |
| Kody Kapow – Tiger Prince Kapow!; Rocket Kapow! The monkeys steal Goji's new toy and begin blindly following its orders, compelling Kody to try to find a creative way to retrieve it for his friend; the monkeys steal Kody's tablet and think its moon landing game is real. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Scary Movie | |
| Kody Kapow – Robot Redo Kapow!; Scavenger Hunt Kapow! Mogo's newest robot decides to steal the Sapphire Dragon; the Kapows must compete in a scavenger hunt to win back Master Li's missing package. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Hugs | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 9 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Bus Stop | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 10 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Competition | |
| Cocomelon – Cocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 11 JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes. | |
| Masha and the Bear: Nursery Rhymes – Row Row Row Your Boat | |
| Masha and the Bear – Masha Mash-Up: Volume 10 A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble. | |
| Masha and the Bear – Masha Mash-Up: Volume 11 A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble. | |
| Masha and the Bear – Masha Mash-Up: Volume 12 A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble. | |
| Masha and the Bear – Masha Mash-Up: Volume 13 A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble. | |
| Masha and the Bear – Masha Mash-Up: Volume 14 A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble. | |
| Floogals – Project Fear of the Dark; Project Pillow Fort Girl Hooman is scared of her closet; all the pillows and cushions have disappeared. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – The Taming of the Shrew | |
| Floogals – Project Mini Golf; Project Decorating The Floogals make a golf ball bounce into the house and have to return it; Girl Hooman's dollhouse looks like it's being sidelined. | |
| Masha and the Bear Shorties – Modern Art | |
| Floogals – Project Christmas Tree; Project Snow The Floogals encounter a tree in the Hooman's living room; the entire garden is covered in something cold and white. |
Wrapping Up
Although Universal Kids has a deep history, it continues to provide quality kids’ entertainment shows on one channel. There are few networks that devote total programming to children. However, this is one that appeals to youngsters and parents.
Luckily, you can stream episodes without a cable subscription. We recommend Hulu + Live TV.
FAQs
Why doesn’t Universal Kids produce new content anymore?
Unfortunately, when Universal tried to rebrand Sprout, ratings declined dramatically. The decision was made to continue the network but no longer develop original shows. Instead, it has increased its acquisitions from the NBCUniversal umbrella and third-party producers. However, the animation division has seen the launch of two new series by DreamWorks. These include Where’s Waldo? and Norman Picklestripes.
How can I stream old shows from PBS Kids Sprout?
Numerous streaming services offer Sprout programs. For example, Hulu and Amazon both offer episodes. Hulu subscribers may stream old Sprout shows through its live TV service. On Amazon, old favorites like Caillou have full seasons available that are free for prime members. Other shows are available as well.
How can I stream other family and kids channels?
Our options to watch related channels:
- All-Ages Kids
- Babies & Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Tweens & Teens
- Family
- Animal Planet
- BYU TV
- Classic Reruns
- Cozi TV
- Dove Channel
- FETV
- Freeform
- Game Show Network
- getTV
- Great American Family
- Great American Faith & Living
- Hallmark Channel
- INSP
- National Geographic
- PixL
- UPtv
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