BabyTV (stylised as Baby''tv'') is a multilingual international television channel for babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 3 or lower, owned by
Fox Networks Group
Fox Networks Group (FNG) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that oversees international television assets that were acquired from 21st Century Fox. It produces and distributes more than 300 entertainment, film, sports and factual chan ...
, a subsidiary of the
Disney International Content and Operations
This is a list of assets currently or formerly owned by the Walt Disney Company, unless otherwise indicated.
Corporate
Walt Disney Studios
Live-action production
Animated production
Disney Studio Services
Disney Theatrica ...
division of
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
. It is headquartered in
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
and was first launched in 2005 in the United Kingdom. BabyTV is distributed in over 100 countries, broadcasting in 18 languages (as of 2013). The channel broadcasts shows without television commercial interruptions. In the United States, the channel is distributed by
Walt Disney Television
Disney General Entertainment Content, doing business as Walt Disney Television, is an American entertainment company that oversees television content and assets owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. Forming the company's General Enterta ...
.
History
BabyTV was first developed in December 2003 as an educational block in
Israel
Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
by Ron Isaak, Maya and Liran Talit and members of their families.
They decided to create an educational television channel for babies and toddlers. It was first launched as a channel in July 2005, and in September 2007,
News Corp
News Corporation, stylized as News Corp, is an American mass media and publishing company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The second incarnation of the News Corporation (1980–2013), original News Corporation, it was formed ...
's
Fox International Channels
Fox Networks Group (FNG) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that oversees international television assets that were acquired from 21st Century Fox. It produces and distributes more than 300 entertainment, film, sports and factual channe ...
acquired a major stake in BabyTV, placing it alongside its international offerings of
Fox Crime
Fox Crime (stylized as FOXCRIME) is a television network, launched by the Fox Networks Group, which airs across several countries of Europe, Africa and Asia such as Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Its basic programming include numero ...
,
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
,
National Geographic
''National Geographic'' (formerly the ''National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is a popular American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. Known for its photojournalism, it is one of the most widely ...
and others.
The first six programmes to air on BabyTV were ''Hands Up'', ''Tulli'', ''Bouncy Balls'', ''Jammers'', ''Little Chick'' and ''1, 2, 3, Tell A Story''.
In 2006, Indovision
MNC Vision (legally PT MNC Sky Vision Tbk, formerly Indovision) is an Indonesian subscription-based direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or ''direct-to-home'' satellite television and radio service initially in Indonesia. Currently owned by PT MNC Vi ...
with Dori Media Distribution started operating them in Indonesia. Rebranded as Vision 3 Baby, this channel is dubbed in Indonesian and has the same program content and schedules which BabyTV Asia beams; however, advertising is different on both beams. Vision 3 Baby has since been replaced by the international version of BabyTV. BabyTV was also launched on Sky Digital in the UK on 5 February 2007.
In 2008, French authorities banned the broadcasting of programs aimed at children under the age of 3, and ordered warnings to be included on foreign channels available in France such as BabyTV and its competitor BabyFirst
BabyFirst (stylized in all lowercase since 2019) is an American TV channel that produces and distributes content for babies from 0–3 years and their parents through television, the internet, and mobile applications. The channel is owned by F ...
.
The channel, along with Fox Crime
Fox Crime (stylized as FOXCRIME) is a television network, launched by the Fox Networks Group, which airs across several countries of Europe, Africa and Asia such as Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Its basic programming include numero ...
and Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
, was launched in India on 25 March 2009.
In January 2011, BabyTV was added to the programming package of Dish Network
DISH Network Corporation (DISH, an acronym for DIgital Sky Highway) is an American television provider and the owner of the direct-broadcast satellite provider Dish, commonly known as Dish Network, and the over-the-top IPTV service, Sling TV. A ...
on channel 126, and then changed to channel 824. On 9 May 2011, BabyTV was launched via Astro
Astro may refer to:
Entertainment and media
* Astro (South Korean band), a South Korean boy band
* Astro (UB40) (1957–2021), member of the British reggae band UB40
* Astro (Chilean band), a Chilean indie rock band
* Astro (Japanese band), ...
channel 614 and then changed to channel 618. On 1 December 2011, BabyTV was launched via SkyCable
Sky Cable (stylized as SKYcable) is a cable television service of Sky Cable Corporation in the Philippines. It covers areas across the country with both digital and analog cable services, and it has 700,000 subscribers, controlling 45% of t ...
channel 140 and is only available through its digital platform. On 1 October 2012, BabyTV was launched via mio TV
Singtel TV (formerly known as Singtel IPTV and mio TV) is a pay television, pay television service provided by Singtel in Singapore. It is transmitted through Singtel's broadband network via an IPTV platform which uses Ericsson Mediaroom (orig ...
(now known as Singtel TV
Singtel TV (formerly known as Singtel IPTV and mio TV) is a pay television service provided by Singtel in Singapore. It is transmitted through Singtel's broadband network via an IPTV platform which uses Ericsson Mediaroom (originally develope ...
) channel 244 and it was the first to launch the channel in HDTV 16:9 Format. In Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, it is available on Now TV Channel 448, Macau Cable TV Channel 61 (SD) and 861 (HD) and Taiwan CATV Channel 311 (HD) and CHT MOD Channel 17. A Spanish version is available in the United States on cable and satellite providers (typically Dish Network) in some states. It is also available on Orbit Network
Orbit Communications Company was a privately owned Pay TV network, operating in Bahrain. Owned by Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid Holding (via Digital Media Systems), it was the first fully Digital data, digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay te ...
, OSN Network,
beIN Network
beIN Channels Network (; stylized as beIN) is a pan-Arab direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster owned by beIN Media Group, which is based in Doha, Qatar.
Technology
beIN had launched 6 multi-function interactive decoder ...
and My-HD with Arabic language
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...
. On 20 March 2019, the channel became a part of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International
Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED), formerly Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI), is one of The Walt Disney Company's five major business segments consisting of Disney's streaming services and overseas media bus ...
as the result of acquisition of 21st Century Fox
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., doing business as 21st Century Fox (21CF), was an American multinational mass media corporation that was based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was one of the two companies formed on June 28, 2013, f ...
by The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
.
On 1 September 2021, BabyTV ceased broadcasting on Now TV
Now most commonly refers
to the present time.
Now, NOW, or The Now may also refer to:
Organizations
* Natal Organisation of Women, a South African women's organization
* National Organization for Women, an American feminist organization
* No ...
.
On 1 October 2021, BabyTV is going to be available, but, along with numerous sister TV channels run by Disney (except National Geographic Channel
National Geographic (formerly National Geographic Channel; abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo or Nat Geo TV) is an American pay television television network, network and flagship (broadcasting), flagship channel owned by the National Geograp ...
, Nat Geo Wild
National Geographic Wild (shortened as Nat Geo Wild and abbreviated NGW) is a global pay television network owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%). T ...
, Star Chinese Channel & Star Chinese Movies, Utsav Gold
Utsav Gold is a European Hindi pay television movie channel broadcasting across Europe and is owned by Disney Star which is part of Disney India. The channel telecasts mainstream Bollywood movies. Its programming is in Hindi and subtitled in E ...
(Star Gold
Disney Star Private Limited is an Indian media conglomerate and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. It is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Disney Star network runs more than 70 TV channels in eight languages, reac ...
), Utsav Plus
Utsav Plus (formerly known as Star Plus UK) is a European Hindi general entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. The network's programming consists of family dramas, ...
(Star Plus
StarPlus is an Indian Hindi language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star (formerly ''Star India''), a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. The network's programming consists of family dramas, comedies, ...
), Utsav Bharat
Utsav Bharat (formerly known as Star Bharat UK) is a European Hindi pay television channel owned by Disney Star which is a part of Walt Disney Company India. It telecasts family dramas, mythological, historical, crime, romantic and comedy ...
(Star Bharat
Star Bharat is an Indian Hindi language General Entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star (formerly ''Star India''), a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. It telecasts dramas, crime and comedy shows. The channel was l ...
) and Vijay TV
Star Vijay is an Indian Tamil language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star (formerly Star India), a subsidiary of Asianet Star Communications. The channel's headquarters is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Star Vijay chang ...
(Star Vijay
Star Vijay is an Indian Tamil language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star (formerly Star India), a subsidiary of Asianet Star Communications. The channel's headquarters is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Star Vijay change ...
) International are available on selected Pay TV providers) will end transmissions in Southeast Asia. On 18 October 2021, Disney announced that it would close down BabyTV in India alongside Star World
Star World (formerly known as Star Plus) is an English language entertainment television channel originally launched on 15 December 1991 as Star Entertainment () by STAR TV in Hong Kong as the old iteration of Star Plus. On 30 March 1996, the ...
and Star World Premiere HD on 30 November 2021, following similar decisions taken worldwide to close down English general entertainment channels.
On 9 January 2022, Astro
Astro may refer to:
Entertainment and media
* Astro (South Korean band), a South Korean boy band
* Astro (UB40) (1957–2021), member of the British reggae band UB40
* Astro (Chilean band), a Chilean indie rock band
* Astro (Japanese band), ...
was informed its customers that BabyTV HD (Ch 618) would close its operations to Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and deligh ...
on 1 February 2022, and be replaced by Moonbug Kids (as a preview channel seen on Channel 620 on 18 to 31 January 2022).
On 9 June 2022, BabyTV ceased broadcasting in Latvia
Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...
.
On 1 October 2022, BabyTV was closed in Italy and Russia, alongside the Italian and Russian versions of National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, discontinuing in the process any active linear TV services in Italy and Russia apart from Disney Channel
Disney Channel, sometimes known as simply Disney, is an American pay television channel that serves as the flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Compan ...
in Russia under the control of The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
.
Topics
BabyTV's original programming library, which is developed in-house in co-operation with childhood development experts and content experts is built around nine developmental topics, which cover all early learning skills and developmental milestones for babies and toddlers.
The nine categories, include the following. They are:
* ''First Concepts''
* ''Nature & Animals''
* ''Music & Art''
* ''Imagination & Creativity''
* ''Building Friendships''
* ''Songs & Rhymes''
* ''Guessing Games''
* ''Activities''
* ''Bedtime''
On demand
BabyTV's video on demand
Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos without a traditional video playback device and the constraints of a typical static broadcasting schedule. In the 20th century, broadcasting in the form of o ...
service features edited segments of BabyTV programming, categorized into their nine developmental themes, in hundreds of half hour segments and is available in languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and Turkish. The on-demand channel is available on Singtel TV
Singtel TV (formerly known as Singtel IPTV and mio TV) is a pay television service provided by Singtel in Singapore. It is transmitted through Singtel's broadband network via an IPTV platform which uses Ericsson Mediaroom (originally develope ...
. It will be launched to StarHub TV
StarHub TV is a pay television service provided by StarHub in Singapore. It has been a subsidiary of StarHub Limited since StarHub acquired Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) in 2001, and was the sole pay-TV operator in the country until 2007 when mi ...
in Singapore and other pay TV providers in Asia in the future.
Home video
BabyTV has introduced a DVD offering. "My First Years Library" is a library that covers early learning skills and developmental milestones that children encounter in their first years. BabyTV's DVD collection features segments of BabyTV content and includes some of the channel's leading characters, such as Pitch & Potch, & Kenny & Goorie.BabyTV case study in the RRsat Website
/ref>
Broadcasting
RR Media
RR Media was a NASDAQ listed provider of global digital media services to the broadcast industry and content owners. Its services can be divided into four main groups: global content distribution network (satellite, fiber and the internet); cont ...
provides playout and uplink services to the BabyTV channel. Languages are encrypted and uplinked via Hotbird 6, Measat 3a and Galaxy 23.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Babytv
2003 establishments in the United Kingdom
Television channels in the United Kingdom
Television channels in the Netherlands
Preschool education television networks
Commercial-free television networks
Children's television networks in the United States
Television channels and stations established in 2005
Disney television networks
Disney television channels in the United Kingdom
Fox Networks Group