Kids' CBC

''CBC Kids'' is a Canadian children's block on CBC Television. The block was launched as Hodge Podge Lodge in 1987 and contains programming targeted at children. The block airs on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Its French-language counterpart is ''Zone Jeunesse'' on ICI Radio-Canada Télé, which airs on weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Sundays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

History

''Hodge Podge Lodge'' (1987–1994)

From 1987 to 1992, the CBC's two-hour morning block of children's programs was called ''Hodge Podge Lodge'' (not to be confused with the earlier American series of the same name). The CBC's afternoon children's programs during this time were presented under generic CBC branding instead. CBC Children's Publicist Barbara Chernin and Producer Stephen Wrigh came up with the "Hodge Podge Lodge" moniker. Angela Bruce, Head of CBC Children's Programming, consented to the name for the lineup. The Hodge Podge Lodge interstitials featured animated multi-coloured geometric shapes, art supplies, and blocks moving around to music.

Following the CBC's rebrand in November 1992, the ''Hodge Podge Lodge'' interstitials were replaced with new ones featuring a group of animated animals. A new character was introduced and a contest was held to name the character.

''CBC Playground'' (1994–2000)

Former theatre director Peter Moss became the CBC's head of children's programming in 1993, and the following winter, the CRTC complained about the CBC's lack of children's programming and presence of U.S. shows on weekday afternoons. On October 24, 1994, the lineup was renamed ''CBC Playground''; the block expanded to 9:30 a.m. with a half-hour block of children's series from around the world. European series requiring narration were recorded in Toronto with the voices of Martha Henry, Colm Feore and Albert Schultz. The CBC said all programs between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. would be Canadian within two years, as twelve shows for the block's first half-hour went into development.

In 1998, Adrian Mills became the CBC's new head of daytime programming, and ''CBC Playground'' was relaunched and expanded by an hour. Two presenters, Lisa Richardson and Drew Carnwath, were added to the block, and virtual sets began to be used. The CBC became a partner in the ''Get Set For Life'' campaign, which aimed to share information on development in preschoolers, alongside non-profit parenting organization Invest in Kids and ''Canadian Living'' magazine. ''CBC Playground''s "Parenting with the Zap Family" interstitials were produced as part of the campaign.

''Get Set For Life'' (2000–2003)

In 2000, ''CBC Playground'' was replaced with ''Get Set For Life'', a block named after the campaign of the same name. This iteration had Alyson Court and Michael Clarke as its hosts.

By 2002, Cheryl Hassen had replaced Mills as the CBC's head of children's programming.

''Kids' CBC'' (2003–2016)

''Kids' CBC'' replaced ''Get Set For Life'' in 2003. While Court and Clarke remained until December 2005, the main focus was on five regional hosts from various parts of Canada. The hosts were Patty Sullivan (Ontario), Joyce Quansah (Quebec), Kush Uppal (British Columbia/Western Canada), Hayley Gene (Manitoba/Prairies), and Dashi Malone (Newfoundland and Labrador/Atlantic Canada). The look and the studio sets had also been drastically changed. The girl seen in the ''Get Set For Life'' logo was redesigned into an animated girl named Dot. Malone and Gene were eventually replaced by Mark O'Brien and Holly Bernier. Kim Wilson took over from Hassen as the CBC's children's programming head in 2005.

On December 24, 2005, a new set featuring a garden within a geometric dome replaced the previous animated interstitials in which the presenters would appear.

On September 3, 2007, the garden set was replaced with a Canadian village-themed set with a circular floor and a treehouse. Due to CBC budget constraints, Quansah, Uppal, Bernier, and O'Brien were removed, and hosting duties were centralized in Toronto with Sullivan and Sid Bobb. This revamp introduced new characters that each represented a different region of Canada. Each of the puppets were used in a variety of scenes in their local setting, typically educational in nature. Mamma Yamma would frequently host cameos by visiting celebrities such as musicians or Canadian television personalities; a compilation album of live performances, ''Mamma Yamma and Friends'', was released in 2008. Joel Plaskett appeared on this segment in 2012, performing a rewritten version of his song "Fashionable People" about children playing dress-up. Plaskett performed this version of the song in concert on one occasion.

In 2013, Kids' CBC underwent another stylistic change, removing all of the puppets except Mamma Yamma. A new theme song, "You and Me and Kids' CBC", was also introduced.

''CBC Kids'' (2017–present)

In 2016, it was announced that ''Kids' CBC'' would be rebranded as ''CBC Kids'' the following winter. This rebrand included the removal of Sullivan, Bobb, and Mamma Yamma. ''CBC Kids'' debuted on January 2, 2017, with hosts Janaye Upshaw and Tony Kim. Victor Verbitsky was a host until 2018. The current puppet characters are Gary the Unicorn, Cottonball the Cat, Mr. Orlando the Moose, Mosey Monster (known as Makeup Monster), and Putter the Computer.

The block's current format blends scripted children's programming with live-action segments featuring Upshaw, Kim and the puppet characters, called ''The Studio K Show''.

Currently, Marie McCann is the head of children's content at CBC.

Programming

Current programming

* ''Addison'' (2018–present)
* '' The Adventures of Paddington'' (2020–present)
* '' Aunty B's House'' (2023–2024; 2025-present)
* ''Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend!'' (2023–2024; 2025-present)
* '' Big Blue'' (2021–present)
* ''Daisy & the Gumboot Kids'' (2019–present)
* '' Dino Ranch'' (2021–present)
* ''Dylan's Playtime Adventures'' (2024–present)
* ''The Future Chicken Today Show'' (2023–present)
* ''Gary's Magic Fort'' (2021–present)
* ''Gisele's Mashup Adventures'' (2023; 2025-present) (short series)
* ''Glowbies'' (2021–present)
* ''Go Togo'' (2024-present)
* ''Hello Kitty: Super Style!'' (2023–present)
* ''Hop'' (2024–present)
* '' Jeremy and Jazzy'' (2022–present) (short series)
* ''Jessie and the Gumboot Kids'' (2018–2019; 2022–present)
* ''Kingdom Force'' (2019–present)
* ''Kiri and Lou'' (2019–present)
* ''Let's Go Bananas!'' (2024–present)
* '' Lu & the Bally Bunch'' (2023–present)
* '' Mighty Express'' (2021–present)
* ''Mini-Jon and Mini-Maple'' (2023–present) (short series)
* ''Mittens and Pants'' (2023–present)
* ''Molly of Denali'' (2019–present)
* '' Ollie! The Boy Who Became What He Ate'' (2017–present)
* ''Paw Patrol'' (2022–present)
* ''Planet Protecting with Potato'' (2024–present)
* ''Playing with Stu'' (2024–present) (short series)
* ''Remy & Boo'' (2020–present)
* ''Rusty Rivets'' (2019–present)
* ''Scout & the Gumboot Kids'' (2015–present)
* ''Super Agent Jon le Bon'' (2018–present) (short series)
* ''True and the Rainbow Kingdom'' (2018–present)
* '' Ukulele U'' (2022–present)
* '' Unicorn Academy'' (2024–present)

Former programming

* ''Ace Lightning'' (2002–2006)
* '' The Adventures of Napkin Man!'' (2013–2020)
* ''Amigo and Me'' (1999–2000; 2003–2004)
* ''Animalia'' (2007–2009)
* ''Animal Mechanicals'' (2008–2016)
* '' Are We There Yet?: World Adventure'' (2010–2016)
* ''The Art Show'' (2018–2019)
* ''Arthur'' (1998–2021)
* '' Artzooka!'' (2010–2018)
* '' The Babaloos'' (1997–2003)
* ''Babar'' (1989–1991)
* ''Barney & Friends'' (1994–1995)
* '' Beat Bugs'' (2018–2022)
* '' Becca's Bunch'' (2018–2020, 2022–2024)
* ''Big Block SingSong'' (2012–2022)
* '' The Blobheads'' (2003–2004)
* ''Bo on the Go!'' (2007–2016)
* ''Bookaboo'' (2013–2019)
* '' The Bravest Knight'' (2021–2023)
* ''Bruno and the Banana Bunch'' (2008–2013)
* '' Busytown Mysteries'' (2008–2015)
* ''The Busy World of Richard Scarry'' (1999–2000)
* '' Canadian Sesame Street'' (1972–1996)
* ''The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!'' (2011–2019)
* ''CBC Kids News Explains'' (short series)
* '' CBCNews.real'' (2000–2002)
* ''CBC Playground'' (1994–1998)
** '' The Adventures of Spot''
** '' Dig & Dug with Daisy''
** ''Little Rabbit''
** ''Max the Cat''
** '' Miffy''
** '' Old Bear Stories''
** '' Plastinots''
** ''Picture Perfect''
** ''Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A to Z''
** ''Tom and Tim''
** ''Wiggly Pics''
** ''Works''
* ''Chirp'' (2015–2019)
* ''Clifford the Big Red Dog'' (2000–2007)
* ''Clifford's Puppy Days'' (2003–2004)
* ''Cross Country Fun Hunt'' (2012–2017)
* ''Curious George'' (2006–2009)
* ''Cyberchase'' (2002–2005)
* '' Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood'' (2013–2022)
* ''Detention Adventure'' (2019–2023)
* '' Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist'' (2010–2012)
* '' dirtgirlworld'' (2009–2015)
* ''Does It Fart?'' (2019–2020) (short series)
* '' The Doodlebops'' (2005–2015)
* '' The Doodlebops Rockin' Road Show'' (2010–2015)
* ''The Doozers'' (2013–2014)
* '' Dot.'' (2016–2024)
* '' Dragon Booster'' (2004–2010)
* ''Dragon Tales'' (2000–2006)
* '' Ebb and Flo'' (2006–2007)
* ''The Edison Twins'' (1984–1989)
* ''Endlings'' (2020)
* '' Find Me in Paris'' (2019–2020)
* ''Fraggle Rock'' (1983–1988; 2001)
* '' Franklin'' (1999–2007)
* '' Fred Penner's Place'' (1985–1997)
* ''The Friendly Giant'' (1958–1987; 1996–1997)
* ''The Furchester Hotel'' (2017–2022)
* ''Fuzzy Tales'' (2012–2016)
* ''Gangnam Project'' (2024)
* ''Gofrette'' (2007–2011)
* ''Guess What?'' (1996–2000)
* ''Hippo Tub Company'' (2001–2003)
* ''Holy Baloney'' (2018–2020) (short series)
* ''Horrible Histories'' (2001–2002)
* '' Incredible Story Studios'' (2001–2002)
* ''Inuk'' (2001–2002)
*'' JiggiJump'' (2013–2015)
* ''The Kids of Degrassi Street'' (1982–1988)
* ''Lazoo'' (2017–2019)
* '' Little Bear'' (1995–2007)
* ''The Longhouse Tales'' (2001–2002)
* '' Love Monster'' (2020–2024)
* ''Lunar Jim'' (2006–2014)
* '' Magi-Nation'' (2007–2012)
* ''Maya the Bee'' (1983–1984)
* ''The Magic School Bus'' (2000–2003)
* ''Me Too!'' (2002–2006)
* '' The Mighty Jungle'' (2008–2017)
* ''The Moblees'' (2014–2021)
* ''Monster Math Squad'' (2012–2016)
* '' Mr. Dressup'' (1967–2006)
* ''Mr. Meaty'' (2005–2009)
* ''Mumble Bumble'' (1999–2005)
* ''My Goldfish Is Evil'' (2006–2017)
* ''Nanalan''' (2003–2007)
* '' The Naughty Naughty Pets'' (2006-2010)
* '' Noddy'' (1998–2003)
* '' OWL/TV'' (1985–1988)
* '' Pablo'' (2018–2020)
* ''Pelswick'' (2000–2003)
* ''PJ Masks'' (2018–2023)
* ''Pinky Dinky Doo'' (2006–2008)
* ''Pingu'' (1997–2000)
* '' Pirates: Adventures in Art'' (2010–2016)
* '' Poko'' (2003–2017)
* ''Polka Dot Shorts'' (1998–2000)
* ''POV Sports'' (2003–2004)
* ''The Raccoons'' (1985–2000)
* '' Razzberry Jazzberry Jam'' (2009–2012)
* ''RECAP'' (2019–2020)
* ''Ride or Wrong'' (2015–2020)
* ''RoBOTiK'' (2022)
* ''Rolie Polie Olie'' (1998–2007)
* '' Ruby Skye P.I.'' (2014–2017)
* ''The Save-Ums!'' (2003–2010)
* ''Scoop and Doozie'' (1999–2003)
* '' The Secret World of Og'' (2006–2008)
* ''See the Sea'' (2008–2013)
* '' Sesame Park'' (1996–2001)
* ''Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show'' (1984–1990)
* ''Shoebox Zoo'' (2004–2006)
* ''Skinnamarink TV'' (1997–2003)
* '' Slim Pig'' (2001–2012)
* ''Small Talk'' (2018–2019)
* '' Snapshots'' (2016)
* '' Spynet'' (2002–2006)
* ''Stella and Sam'' (2018–2022)
* ''Street Cents'' (1989–2006)
* ''Street Cents Group Chat'' (2022–2023)
* ''Super Gran'' (1985–1986; 1988)
* ''Super Why!'' (2007–2019)
* '' Surprise! It's Edible Incredible!'' (2004–2016)
* '' Switchback'' (1985–1990)
* '' Taina'' (2003–2004)
* ''Theodore Tugboat'' (1993–2003)
* ''The Thrillusionists'' (2018–2020; 2022–2023)
* ''Time Tremors'' (2013–2016)
* '' Tiny Planets'' (2002–2005)
* ''Tractor Tom'' (2003–2006)
* ''Turbo Dogs'' (2009–2013)
* ''Under the Umbrella Tree'' (1987–1994)
* ''Vid Kids'' (1985–1988)
* ''Wandering Wenda'' (2017–2023)
* ''What's New?'' (1972–1989)
* ''What's Your News?'' (2009–2016)
* '' Wilbur'' (2006–2009)
* ''Will's Jams'' (2013–2020)
* ''Wimzie's House'' (1996–2000)
* ''The Wonder Gang'' (2021–2022)
* '' Wonderstruck'' (1986–1992)
* ''Worldsagents'' (2005–2014)
* '' Yam Roll'' (2006–2010)
* ''You & Me'' (2013–2019)
* ''Zoboomafoo'' (2000–2007)
* '' Zoe and Charlie'' (2001)

References

External links

Official site

{{Children's television in Canada

Canadian television shows featuring puppetry
*
Children's television networks in Canada
Television programming blocks in Canada
Preschool education television networks