Comcast subsidiary NBCUniversal has confirmed that it plans to shut down its Universal Kids channel on March 6. Formerly called Sprout, the network launched in 2005 as a preschool-focused joint venture between PBS KIDS, Comcast, and Sesame Workshop.
This decision coincides with NBCU's preparations 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 exception, expected to remain in the main corporate fold alongside NBC, Telemundo, and the local station portfolio.
In 2019, NBCUniversal shifted the channel’s programming strategy away from original content, focusing purely on acquisitions from sister company DreamWorks Animation. According to television database USTVDB, Universal Kids’ average audience dropped from 28,000 viewers in March 2022 to just 15,000 viewers by January 2025.
It was also ranked 139th on Variety's list of most-watched US TV channels for 2024, with 20,000 viewers (down 5% from the previous year). Despite the channel shutting down, NBCUniversal states that it remains committed to family entertainment through Illumination and DreamWorks Animation, as well as its kids-focused programming streaming on Peacock.
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