SB-04: KidsCo 1.0 | Step 3: The YTV Factor

Originally Posted by Jeff Harris

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KidsCo pretty much has a similar look in every market it enters. It's safe, but entertaining. For the American version of KidsCo, I'd like to look in a more northern direction.

I take it that many of you have heard of YTV. YTV, founded in October 1988, is essentially Canada's equivalent to Nickelodeon. Not Canada's version of Nickelodeon, just its equivalent. YTV also served as Canada's equivalent to Kids' WB, Fox Kids, The WB, and, before Teletoon's launch, Cartoon Network. It has served its purpose and has proven itself to be many things. It's weird, it's natural, it's cool, and it's the spirit of youth. The owners of YTV understand the youth market and has learned how to program for and to entertain them. They've managed to create a culture that viewers, even after all these years, are still drawn to by connecting to the viewers, making them a part of the show instead of just an passive participant.

Remember when Fox Kids bought The Family Channel and transformed it into Fox Family Channel? Do you remember how the first couple of months of the revamped channel looked? It looked different than anything seen in the US. It had an environment of its own. That look was clearly inspired by YTV. Those familiar with the Canadian channel saw that while American audiences were curious about the new looks. Unfortunately, Fox Family dropped the YTV-esque look, attempted to create gender-specific spinoff channels nobody wanted, changed its focus to more female-friendly original shows and acquisitions, and eventually sold to Disney, who changed it to ABC Family.

What could have been with Fox Family could be a reality with KidsCo, especially considering the actual owners of YTV, Corus Entertainment, is an owner in the endeavor. Presenting KidsCo should largely be done under Corus's watch since they actually have 20 years of experience.

YTV has channel hosts for different dayparts, and KidsCo could follow that template Stateside. They've also created numerous environments and interactive events on-air and online. Creating a connection with the viewers could help cement a new image in the minds of the nation's youth, one that will undoubtably be emulated by their mainstream competitors.

And that image will be KidsCo.

Now you see what kind of channel it would be on the surface and how the channel would be programmed? What kind of shows will dominate? Let's wrap this article up.