The Lookback : Soaps from the Past

The Flashback Soaps 


     Here at Joshuaonline  we have an odd affection to soaps ( Soap Operas, though Zest is nice)  and for the first time ever our segment here called The Lookback  is not doing a piece on children's Television. ( We've moved up).  We are taking a look back (sorry, didn't mean to phrase it that way) at some old soaps.  Soaps  started before TV existed   (on newspapers?) back when  Radio was the king of entertainment ( oh yeah Radio).   We are staying on the TV part  for this one.

1. Search For Tomorrow  
     Search for Tomorrow was a CBS Television soap that began in 1951 , the original time  like many soaps  and other daytime programs of the time was 15 minutes.  It was made by Proctor and Gamble (yes the one's who make toothpaste and other house-hold products) this was also a time when advertisers had tons of power in making TV programs not just airing them.
   
  CBS before the EYE , doesn't that music sound soapy?
 
  It broadcast live for it's early life until the late 1960's. The Soap was was about a housewife named Joann Gardener and things that happen to her and those around her.  She tangled with the Mafia (because why not?)  She lost a husband, started an INN ,  got remarried , her baby was  killed,  and you know other normal things. (yeah in crazy land)  In 1967 ,the show stopped being broadcast live and was now in color , and went 30 minutes in 1968.   By the 70's they people in charge wanted the show to have a young feel so they cut back Joanne stories (not  putting her in a coma though).
     In 1982 CBS canceled the program   even though it still had good ratings.  The Final episode on CBS was March 26,1982  but it wasn't dead ( just like a soap to die just to come back to life)  It moved to NBC because P&G still loved it.  It didn't have a good time on NBC and ended in 1986.


oooh cloudy


2.  The Doctors (the soap , the American one )
    The Doctors, was an NBC soap Opera that began on April 1st 1963  , the same day as General Hospital ( you see what NBC and ABC were doing there).  Now at first , it wasn't a soap as in a serial meaning the story followed along as you watched each day.  Each episode was self contained as an anthology series.  It changed to a serial format in 64 . It was soap about doctors (well of course)  It had plotlines about Cancer, drugs , the death of Alec Baldwin's character  (he was actor on the show in the early 80's).
 The series ran on NBC from 1963 until December 31st , 1982  one of the reasons for it's demise was  low ratings and stations adding newscasts at lunchtime (thanks for that).



  where Richard Nixon's hair line and Eyebrows went

3. Dark Shadows
    Dark Shadows , was an ABC soap that premiered in 1966 it was created by Dan Curtis. The Soap was about Werewolves, Vampires , zombies, witches, Time travel... (you know daily things I have to put up with)  Sometimes one actor would play more than one person ( which would make love scenes ... odd)    Victoria Winters was the primary  character who ends up in a strange town , the show didn't originally feature the supernatural things until later in it's run.  It came on at 4/3c ( when network Daytime meant... daytime)  Though ratings  declined after a storyline that turned off some viewers and ABC was removing shows that weren't deemed to be money makers ... this show had a young audience, the show was canceled in 1972.
 It did repeat after that including time on then Sci-fi Channel in the 2000's.


  now the Munsters... I mean Dark Shadows.

4. Ryan's Hope
    Ryan's Hope , premiered on ABC in  July of 1975.  It was about an Irish-American family called the Ryans, Who lived in New York City,  The series originally focused on the Ryans and their adult kids it showed  the clashes between the parents and kids different thinking on things.
  It also had plot lines with political scandal  (easy to do ) , extramarital affairs , premartial children, abortion rights , and women in careers (it's the 70's to 80's) .  The show was a hit , though it faced tons of recasting.  It later on experienced random changes with odd plot-lines such has a character being kidnapped by a gorilla , lost mummy  and more. (Darn , I lost my mummy) It didn't follow the show's ideal of being a  show about what could be real life.

   
    The intro ,Jaws Free   ABC/Youtube

 The series in it's final years suffered bad ratings , and many ABC stations  dropped the show (like jerks)  it ended in 1989.



  weekdays on ABC !  

5. Capitol
   Capitol  was a CBS soap that started in 1982 ;  it was about  3 families , Denning, Clegg, and McCandless ,who lived in a fictional suburb of Washington D.C.  As the name of the program suggests the families were involved in politics.  The main point was about the women of the families who were feuding with each other.  It had a Romeo and Juliet style storyline between the kids of two of the feuding mothers  who wanted to marry.
     The series featured  big plotlines about the other family members.  The series lost ratings when  one of the storylines didn't do as well.  CBS canceled the show and it ended in 1987.




Washington D.C... taped in LA  just like the real one

    And that's our First look at soaps that no longer run .. we hope you enjoyed  and ......... [cliffhanger]

ABC Family Announces it's "Countdown 25 Days of Christmas" schedule

ABC Family   TV NEWS  PR

                                   


       ABC family has announced it's  annual Countdown to Christmas  programming line up.
Via Press Release :
 

Burbank, CA (October 08, 2014) — ABC Family offers viewers the best way to gear up their holiday festivities with the network’s annual programming bonanza “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas”beginning on Sunday, November 23rd .


The movies featured in this year’s “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” demand to be watched with a bowl of popcorn and possibly some loved ones. There is no better way to unwind from a day of holiday activities - preparing the turkey, eating leftovers, spending all your money during Black Friday - than with a favorite movie and your social-media platform of choice. Let’s face it: no television viewing experience is complete without a hashtag.


“Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” airs Sunday, November 23 – Sunday, November 30. Movie highlights include:


Sunday, November 23rd
(5PM–8PM ET/PT) THE HUNGER GAMES
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games is a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. “The Hunger Games” stars Academy Award®-winner Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne Academy Award®-nominee Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Academy Award®-nominee Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman and Donald Sutherland as President Snow. “The Hunger Games” repeats on Friday, November 28th at 8PM and Saturday, November 29th at 5PM ET/PT.


(8PM – 10:30PM ET/PT) FINDING NEMO
Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to his worrisome father Marlin and his friendly-but-forgetful regal-blue tang fish Dory to bring Nemo home -- meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer-dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way. “Finding Nemo” repeats on Monday, November 24th at 6pm ET/PT.


(10:30PM – 12AM ET/PT) TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
In this beloved animated movie, Jack Skellington (Danny Elfman & Chris Sarandon), Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King, is obsessed with bringing Christmas under his control and enlists his loyal townspeople to help him become a substitute Santa and create a “new and improved” version of the holiday.


Monday, November 24th
(6PM-8:30PM) FINDING NEMO
Please see description on Sunday, November 23rd at 8PM ET/PT


(8:30PM–11PM ET/PT) DARK SHADOWS
Continuing their creative and commercially incandescent partnership, superstar Johnny Depp and macabre movie master Tim Burton reunite yet again in this silver screen adaptation of the cult classic supernatural soap opera. When Barnabas Collins’ (Johnny Depp) fling with jealous Angelique (Eva Green) goes horribly wrong, she turns Barnabas into a vampire and buries him alive. Almost two hundred years after this unfortunate incident, Barnabas is eventually freed and returns home to protect his dysfunctional descendants. The movie also stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter and Bella Heathcote. “Dark Shadows” repeats on Tuesday, November 25th at 6pm ET/PT.


(12AM–2AM ET/PT) ANOTHER CINDERELLA STORY
A famous dancer (Drew Seeley) returns for his senior year to surround himself with “real” people and remind himself why he fell in love with dance in the first place. At the masked high school dance, he meets a mesmerizing girl (Selena Gomez), but before he can learn her true identity, she disappears. His only clue to her identity is the mp3 player she left behind.


Tuesday, November 25th
(6PM–8:30PM ET/PT) DARK SHADOWS
Please see description on Monday, November 24th at 8:30PM ET/PT


(8:30PM–11PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
This family musical fantasy tells the story of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Determined to find someone worthy of a dream-of-a-lifetime jackpot, Wonka hides five golden tickets inside five candy bars, with the winners receiving a trip through his factory and enough candy to last, well, forever. Poor but honest Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) is thrilled when he finds a ticket and chooses his Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) to visit the factory with him. But when Wonka’s rival Slugworth (Gunter Meisner) offers Charlie a lot of money in exchange for the Everlasting Gobstopper sample, Charlie makes a heartwarming decision that earns him Wonka’s admiration and trust. “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” repeats on Wednesday, November 26th at 6pm ET/PT.


(12AM–2AM ET/PT) MIRROR, MIRROR
After a beloved King vanishes, his ruthless wife seizes control of the kingdom and keeps her beautiful 18-year-old stepdaughter, Snow White (Lily Collins), hidden away in the palace. But when the princess attracts the attention of a charming and wealthy visiting prince, the jealous Queen (Julia Roberts) banishes the girl to a nearby forest. Taken in by a band of rebellious but kindhearted dwarfs, Snow White blossoms into a brave young woman determined to save her country from the Queen. With the support of her new friends, she roars into action to reclaim her birthright and win back her Prince (Armie Hammer) in this magical adventure comedy that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over.


Wednesday, November 26th
(6PM–8:30PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Please see description on Tuesday, November 25th at 8:30PM ET/PT


(8:30PM–11PM ET/PT) CARS 2
“Cars 2” is a laugh-out-loud, heart-warming adventure geared for the entire family. Star racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship on the road from Radiator Springs to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage! “Cars 2” repeats on Thursday, November 27th at 5:30PM ET/PT




(12AM–2AM ET/PT) A CINDERELLA STORY
Deep in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Sam (Hilary Duff) a modern-day Cinderella, finds her Prince Charming (Chad Michael Murray) on the Internet. Despite the comically malevolent efforts of her stepmother and stepsisters to keep her at work in their diner, Sam dreams of meeting her online soul mate at the high school Halloween dance. Now, Sam discovers that outward appearances can be deceiving--and that even in the San Fernando Valley stories can have a happy ending.


Thursday, November 27th
(5:30PM–8PM ET/PT) CARS 2
Please see description on Wednesday, November 26th at 8:30PM ET/PT


(8PM–8:30PM ET/PT) TOY STORY OF TERROR!
Join Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and their pals in a frighteningly fun animated adventure. What starts out as an exciting road trip for the Toy Story gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse following a detour to a roadside motel. After Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) suddenly disappears, his friends find themselves caught up in a hilarious mystery that must be solved before they suffer the same fate in this thrilling Toy Story! “Toy Story of Terror!” repeats on Friday, November 28th at 7:30PM ET/PT


(8:30PM–11PM ET/PT) RATATOUILLE
Remy (Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming a great a French chef despite his family’s wishes and the obvious problem that Remy is, well, a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When Fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath the same restaurant named famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett). Despite the apparent dangers of being an unlikely, and certainly unwanted, visitor in the kitchen of a fine French restaurant, Remy’s passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down. Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in live or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. Along the way he learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is – a rat who wants to be a chef. “Ratatouille” repeats on Friday, November 28th at 5PM ET/PT


(12AM–2AM ET/PT) A CINDERELLA STORY: ONCE UPON A SONG
It’s a modern and enchanting twist on an enduring classic. Katie (Lucy Hale) dreams of being a recording artist but is continually thwarted by her cruel stepmother (Missi Pyle) and stepsister (Megan Park). When Katie falls hard for Luke (Freddie Stroma), the new boy at her Performing Arts school, she tries to get his attention with her singing. But when her stepsister takes credit for Katie’s amazing voice and Luke falls for the wrong girl, Katie must learn to stand up for her dreams before her stepmother forces Katie to sing Luke into the arms of her wicked stepsister.


Friday, November 28th
(5PM–7:30PM ET/PT) RATATOUILLE
Please see description on Thursday, November 27th at 8:30PM ET/PT


(7:30PM–8PM ET/PT) TOY STORY OF TERROR!
Please see description on Thursday, November 27th at 8PM ET/PT


(8PM–11PM ET/PT) THE HUNGER GAMES
Please see description on Sunday, November 23rd at 5PM ET/PT


(12AM–2AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3
In the third installment of the popular “Home Alone” series, complete with an all-new cast, a top-secret computer chip has been stolen from the U.S. Defense Department. The international criminals who expertly engineered its heist are asking for untold millions of dollars on the black market. But the precious booty, hidden inside a toy car, has been temporarily misplaced, thanks to inattentive airport baggage handlers. Its final destination: a quiet, comfortable Chicago suburb. Taking up residence in the tree-lined neighborhood, the four highly-trained spies marshal their diabolical resources and ruthless skills to retrieve the device. Their state-of-the-art surveillance and shrewd strategy foil Interpol, the FBI, U.S. Defense Department agents and the local police, but one person can stop this high-tech gang of black marketers: eight-year-old Alex Pruitt (Alex D. Linz). He is the last and only line of defense when this pesky team of bad guys invades his neighborhood. Alex has his own special surveillance tools. He has a carefully mapped-out strategy. He has courage. He has the chicken pox. And he's "home alone"...



Saturday, November 29th
(5PM–8PM ET/PT) THE HUNGER GAMES
Please see description on Sunday, November 23rd at 5PM ET/PT


(8PM–10PM ET/PT) BRAVE
“Brave” whisks viewers away on an astonishing adventure to an ancient land full of mystery and tradition. Merida (Kelly Macdonald) is a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land. When Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos in the kingdom, she must harness all of her skills and resources including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers to undo a beastly curse before it's too late, and discover the meaning of true bravery. “Brave” repeats on Sunday, November 30th at 6PM ET/PT.


(10PM–12AM ET/PT) DESPICABLE ME
In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences and flowering rose bushes sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout belonging to Gru (Steve Carrell), a dastardly villain who, along with the help of his many little minions, is planning the biggest heist in the history of the world: he's going to steal the moon! But his plans are foiled the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. This smash hit boasts a stellar all-star vocal cast that includes Julie Andrews, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Mindy Kaling and more. “Despicable Me” repeats on Sunday, November 30th at 8PM ET/PT.


(12AM–2AM ET/PT) PARANORMAN
The team behind “Coraline” delivers this stop-motion 3D animated comedy thriller about a small town that comes under siege by zombies and needs the help of a misunderstood local boy named Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, moronic grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. The all-star vocal cast includes Casey Affleck, John Goodman, Anna Kendrick and Elaine Stritch.


Sunday, November 30th
(6PM–8PM ET/PT) BRAVE
Please see description on Saturday, November 29th at 8PM ET/PT


(8PM–10PM ET/PT) DESPICABLE ME
Please see description on Saturday, November 29th at 10PM ET/PT


(10PM–12AM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
The comic misadventures of the beleaguered Griswold family continue in this latest "Vacation" outing. This time America's most dedicated dad, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to stay at home to create "the most fun-filled old fashioned family Christmas ever" -- but life has a particular way of throwing wet logs on Clark's fire.


Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network-defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. For 2014, ABC Family has launched the “WATCH ABC Family” authenticated service which allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on demand access to such popular series at home and on the go via a wide array of devices. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

The Lookback : Children's TV: Animated Live action shows

The Flashback  Children's TV 

      In case our title doesn't make sense ( it really doesn't)  this time we look at something a little strange and have touched upon before : Animated versions of live action shows (usually prime time) .   When a prime time (usually a family program) was  popular enough it sometimes wanted to grow  beyond that . This is where this comes in.   This is not really done now. (that's why there is no animated version of  "Big Bang Theory" floating around and if it was could it be for kids?)   So let's draw into a journey (boo!) into the world of animated TV shows made from live action TV shows.

1. "The Brady Kids"  

  What's it Based on ?  : "The Brady Bunch" (1969-1974)   

      So the "Brady Bunch" was a popular show with the families and especially with the kids watching , so why not cash in on that? (Yeah, why not?)  In 1972 , ABC had a new Saturday Morning series based on the Brady Bunch  it was called "The Brady Kids". ( I bet it was going to focus on the kids)   The original  voices of the regular series  did the voices on this show , for the first season that is , in the 2nd season  only Mike Lockinland (Bobby Brady) , Eve Plumb ( Jan Brady) , and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) stayed as the voices of their charterers in season 2.  

     In the cartoon there was no parents or Alice (gasp)   as most animated versions of live action TV shows , it had animals in it ( kids like animals , I guess)  there was a bird  who also was a wizard ( Like Harry Potter but with wings) , A dog named Mop Top ( I guess Tiger's voice wasn't working on this show either) ,  and two Pandas Ping and Pong.   

   Unlike  the original live action show the Brady's where able to go on adventures with out adult supervision (every child's dream)  the went to the jungle, enter road rallies ,  Meet Wonder woman  in Ancient Greece (huh?)  ,and also magical things happens thanks to the wizard Bird. 

     

 The Youngest one is Bob     /Youtube

     After 22  episodes and two seasons the series packed up and left  , and  a few months later the live-action series  left too.  

2.Laverne and Shirley in the army
     What's it based off of ?  Laverne and Shirley  (1976-1983)
   Hmm "Laverne and Shirley" is so great  that let's make an animated series and put them in the army ? ( Ok then )  Yes that is what happened, in 1981 Hanna and Barbera made an animated series based on the popular sitcom , for ABC.  This series put Laverne and Shirley in the army ( odd)  it also didn't last long only 13 episodes for 1 season.

 


  presented without comment // Youtube

You would think that that would make them give up ( I did) , but no...  they created an hour called "The Mork and Mindy/ Laverne and Shirley /Fonz hour.  So, now they made Laverne and Shirley still in the army but now the Fonz joined them. (I wish this was fake)  and they added his dog , Mr. Cool from his own animated series.  The series was stopped after Cindy Williams ( Who played Shirley on the main show . and voiced her on the animated series) quit, so they played the eight and that was it.
 
more after this jump  , please join us

Discovery takes more control of The Hub and will be renamed Discovery Family

Discovery   TV News 

           Four years and 3 days after , Discovery Communications and Hasbro relaunched Discovery Kids as the Hub, a channel for kids and family , will be renamed Discovery Family as Discovery takes a controlling stake in the Network..   The Relaunch happens October 13. The Hub struggled in ratings , and is in less homes than the channels it competed against.
   

Via- press release

-- Hasbro and Discovery Partnership Focused on Continuing Successful Creation of Entertaining and Award-Winning Content for Kids and Families --
-- Discovery Communications and Kids Television Veteran Tom Cosgrove Named GM of Discovery Family Channel Under the Leadership of Group President Henry Schleiff --

(Silver Spring, Md. and Pawtucket, RI) – Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced The Hub Network will become Discovery Family Channel effective October 13, 2014. The network will broaden its programming focus to serve families in primetime and continue to showcase Hasbro Studios award-winning children’s content in daytime.
During the daytime, Discovery Family Channel will offer a robust line up of brand new Hasbro Studios’ series as well as beloved library programming, including MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS, while during primetime, the network will serve a growing family audience that began to develop under The Hub Network. Primetime programming will draw from Discovery’s three decades of leadership in creating the highest-quality, real-world content that appeals to the entire family in the Natural History, Adventure, Animals and Science genres. Initial series will include SUPERHUMAN, TIME WARP, FLYING WILD ALASKA, AFRICA and EXTREME ENGINEERING: BIGGEST REVEALS.
“The next chapter of our collaboration will harness the incredible content strengths of both Discovery and Hasbro to program Discovery Family Channel with highly-rated award-winning storytelling around Hasbro’s brands and Discovery’s most popular non-fiction shows that appeal to both children and families alike,” said Hasbro President & CEO Brian Goldner. “Discovery Communications has a nearly 30-year track record of building television brands that create maximum value for advertisers and distributors through their world-class raft of programming and we look forward to evolving this network together.”
Under the executive management of Group President Henry Schleiff, Tom Cosgrove will assume the role of general manager of Discovery Family Channel and will manage all network operations and programming, working closely with the Hasbro Studios team as the new channel will prominently feature Hasbro Studios-produced content in daytime. Schleiff has overseen the successful turnaround and growth of several networks within the Discovery portfolio. Previously, Cosgrove served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Discovery Channel and Science Channel and has held senior leadership positions at ABC Family, Fox Family, Fox Kids and TV Guide Channel prior to his time at Discovery. Most recently, he led 3net and 3net Studios.
“Hasbro is a world-class company with franchises and characters that appeal to kids and families around the world. They have been terrific partners over the past several years as we developed our kids television audience in the U.S., and we look forward to a continued strong collaboration as we evolve to the Discovery Family Channel together,” said Discovery Communications President & CEO, David Zaslav. “Henry’s proficiency in developing and growing strong brands combined with Tom’s experience on Discovery’s flagship brand and deep background in family programming make for a perfect leadership team to drive the network toward future growth.”
The repositioning to Discovery Family Channel builds upon Discovery’s ongoing strategy to maximize its portfolio of channels to satisfy viewers and drive value for distributors and advertisers, while working alongside quality content partners to create long-term value. The Hub Network has grown from nearly 56 million homes in 2010 to approximately 70 million U.S. homes today. Since launch, the strong performance of Hasbro children’s content helped lift the network’s total day P2-11 delivery by +89% and for the past three years, The Hub Network has consistently been the most co-viewed children’s cable network among kids 2-11 watching with adults 18-49--a trend the partners plan to continue with Discovery Family.
“Brian and I want to thank the entire team at The Hub Network for their passion and dedication in building this brand over the past five years,” added Zaslav. “They are a fantastic group of executives, guided by a tremendously creative and inspiring leader in Margaret Loesch. We are grateful for their work in creating a channel of which Discovery and Hasbro have been incredibly proud.”
Discovery Family Channel will continue as a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro, with Discovery Communications taking a 60% ownership position in the new channel and Hasbro’s stake decreasing to 40%. The network will be consolidated and managed under the Discovery portfolio of networks.


About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company's world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company’s Hasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling around Hasbro brands across television, film, commercial productions and short-form. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.

The Lookback : School House Rock

The Flashback ABC Children's Programming 

    It would be hard to talk about classic chidren's TV blocks with out  looking at this  show ( it would be illegal  not to look at it) .  A way to refresh your memory it was a segment of 3 minutes (less commercial space to fill then )   of educational videos. (Before E/I to boot)  Apparently it was created  as an advertising venture. ( According to Wikipedia, please don't be wrong)
     The idea was , hey kids like Rock and  learning is good so why not combine the two in an interesting way.     The segements were broken up as different episodes and different "series" , the first was "Multiplication Rock" in 1973 .
 
   Three is a magic number    Disney/ Youtube
         The first episode was called "3 is  Magic Number" teaching kids how amazing the number 3 is ( 3 is amazing )  
    "Multiplication Rock"  ran 11 segments in 1973.  That Fall they introduced "Grammar Rock"  it ran between 1973 to 1993 (the final two made to air in 1993 ).  Due to Bi-Centennial fever (achoo) in 1975 they created "America Rock" (it sure does)  to show different aspects of America like history, the constitution, how laws are made, and other aspects.   This series ran from 1975-76 and some in 79 and 2002.

You thought we were going to.. hahhahaha  Disney/Youtube

 "Science Rock" came out in 1978 to teach kids about different elements of Science  (like why your arms are not attached to your head)  
    Almost after being forgotten it came back in 1993 to make those more episodes for the  series they made in the 70's including a couple more Grammar Rock segments.   In 1995 a new series "Money Rock" (nobody must have watched this ) ,which talked about money usage by you and the government.  When   Disney took over it moved on to One Saturday Morning ( it did fit in the E/I )



No comment  / /  Disney /Youtube

It finally did leave TV in 2002, but was released to VHS (later DVD) .  In 2009 a new set of episodes came out on DVD called "'Earth Rock" (for the hippie inside).

On a side note ....The BBC had a favourite (see what we did there?, no really I don't )
   
  Three is such a magic number  // BBC  Lambie Narin


So once again a (short) look at something in the past of TV history.

ABC Family Announces 13 Nights of Halloween schedule

ABC Family TV News 

 ABC Family  has announced it's programming plans for it's annual 13 Nights of Halloween
from Press release

ABC FAMILY SCARES UP SOME FUN
DURING ITS 16TH ANNUAL “13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN”
HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING EVENT, AIRING OCTOBER 19TH – 31ST


HALLOWEEN EPISODES OF “MELISSA & JOEY” AND “BABY DADDY,”
AND “PRETTY LITTLE LIARS” FAN APPRECIATION AND “FREAK OUT” SPECIALS

Burbank, CA (September 2, 2013) – ABC Family brings the thrills and chills with 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN, a celebration filled with scares as you countdown to Halloween. The popular programming event, now in its 16thyear, starts Sunday, October 19th and concludes on Friday, October 31st. The fright fest features brand-new Halloween-themed episodes of “Melissa & Joey” and “Baby Daddy,” an all-new “Pretty Little Liars” fan appreciation special, plus the hilariously scary prank specials “Freak Out.” The stunt will also include the network television premieres of “Dark Shadows” and “ParaNorman,” and a ghoulish mix of Halloween-themed programming.


Following is a listing of chill-tastic programming taking place October 19th-31st during ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween:


Night One – Sunday, October 19th
The 16th annual 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN launches an all-day scarefest, starting with the friendliest ghost,“Casper” (7:00 – 9:00 AM ET/PT). Then it’s a double dose of the kookiest, ookiest family on the block in “TheAddams Family” (9:00 – 11:00 AM ET/PT) and “Addams Family Values” (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET/PT). Next Harryprepares for his final epic battle with “He Who Must Not Be Named” in the two-part finale of the blockbuster series “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1” (1:00 – 4:30 PM ET/PT) and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2” (4:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT). Buzz, Woody and all your favorite toys must work together to track down their missing friend in “Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR!” (7:30 – 8:00 PM ET/PT; encore at 10:00 PM ET/PT). Then meet us down on the Scare Floor for “Disney∙Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.” (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). We wrap up our night with Jack Skellington and Halloweentown in “The Nightmare Before Christmas”(10:30 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Two – Monday, October 20th
Christmas is the most haunting holiday of all in “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (6:30 – 8:00 PM ET/PT). Then the world will be watching “The Hunger Games” (8:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). Finally, stop by “The Haunted Mansion” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT) where the spirited residents are “dying” to meet you.


Night Three – Tuesday, October 21st
It’s Halloween, Witches, and “A” is up to his or her usual tricks, as ABC Family presents the “Pretty Little Liars”fan-appreciation special, “We Love You to DeAth” (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT; encore at 12:00 AM ET/PT). Then stay tuned for “Freak Out” (9:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT; encore at 1:00 AM ET/PT), the hilariously scary new hidden-camera prank special. Each special will feature an unsuspecting mark whose fears come to life before their eyes with elaborate hoaxes deviously tailored with help from the victim’s friends and family.


Night Four – Wednesday, October 22nd
A night of ‘sclaughing’ (screaming and laughing) starts with Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, “Beetlejuice” (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT), followed by an all-new Halloween episode of “Melissa & Joey” titled “Witch Came First” (8:00 – 8:30 PM ET/PT; encore at 12:00 AM ET/PT). Mel is visited by her doctor (guest star Beth Broderick), who tells Mel she’s actually a witch and must help break a curse. Then it’s an all-new Halloween-themed “Baby Daddy” titled “Strip or Treat” (8:30 – 9:00 PM ET/PT; encore at 12:30 AM ET/PT) where Riley decides to pull a prank on everyone after all the jokes they’ve played on her over the years. Finally, scare up some laughs with an all-new ”Freak Out”special (9:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT; encore at 1:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Five – Thursday, October 23rd
It’s a second chance to scare yourself silly, as we kick off the night with encore presentations of ”Freak Out”(5:30 – 6:30 PM ET/PT), “Melissa & Joey” (6:30 – 7:00 PM ET/PT) and “Baby Daddy” (7:00 – 7:30 PM ET/PT). Then meet the creepiest bride of them all in “Corpse Bride” (7:30 – 9:30 PM ET/PT), followed by “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (9:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) and Michael J. Fox’s hairy high school hijinks in “Teen Wolf” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Six – Friday, October 24th
It’s a Tim Burton movie marathon, starting with “Corpse Bride” (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT), followed by the creepiest Christmas ever in “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (7:00 – 8:30 PM ET/PT) and then the network television premiere of Johnny Depp as “Barnabas Collins” in “Dark Shadows” (8:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). The evening wraps with an additional airing of “Beetlejuice” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Seven – Saturday, October 25th
Saturday is a full day of frightful fun! First, it’s Mel, the Adult Witch, in an encore presentation of “Melissa & Joey” (7:00 – 7:30 AM ET/PT). Then it’s a Tim Burton mini movie marathon. Gotham City is under attack by The Joker in “Batman” (7:30 – 10:30 AM ET/PT), then “Batman Returns” (10:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET/PT) to thwart The Penguin’s evil plans. It is followed by “Beetlejuice” (1:30 – 3:30 PM ET/PT) and “Dark Shadows” (3:30 – 6:00 PM ET/PT) and then a double dose of “The Addams Family” (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) with “Addams Family Values”(8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). Whatever you do, don’t drink the witches’ brew in “Hocus Pocus” (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT). And cap off the night with “Corpse Bride” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Eight – Sunday, October 26th
Stay in bed all day and enjoy monster madness. Start with an encore presentation of Freak Out” (7:00 – 8:00 AM ET/PT), followed by “Coraline” (8:00 – 10:00 AM ET/PT), a little girl who discovers the life she dreamed of is more sinister than she thought. Then grab the Scooby snacks for “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET/PT). We dare you to take a tour through ”The Haunted Mansion” (12:00 – 2:00 PM ET/PT), followed by “Corpse Bride” (2:00 – 4:00 PM ET/PT). “The Addams Family” (4:00 – 6:00 PM ET/PT) invites you to spend the evening with them and learn some “Addams Family Values” (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT). Something wicked this way comes as the Sanderson sisters work their magic in “Hocus Pocus” (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET/PT). And finally, the network television premiere of “ParaNorman” (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT), about a young boy who can talk to the supernatural.



Night Nine – Monday, October 27th
Double your fun with back-to-back encores of “Freak Out” (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT). Then it’s movie marathon madness with “ParaNorman” (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT), “Casper” (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) and “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Ten – Tuesday, October 28th
Shaggy, Scooby and the gang face spooky specters in “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT), followed by “Casper” (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) and a double helping of “Freak Out” encores (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). Then enter “The Haunted Mansion” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT) if you dare.


Night Eleven – Wednesday, October 29th
Check your pulse at the door of “The Haunted Mansion” (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT). Then spend some time with everyone’s favorite frightening family, “The Addams Family” (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT), followed by “Addams Family Values” (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). Finally, meet “ParaNorman” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT), a boy with a gift for talking to ghouls.



Night Twelve – Thursday, October 30th
Join Morticia, Gomez and the rest of “The Addams Family” (4:30 – 6:30 PM ET/PT) in “Addams Family Values”(6:30 – 8:30 PM ET/PT). It is followed by a Tim Burton double creature feature with “Dark Shadows” (8:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) and Beetlejuice” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).


Night Thirteen – Friday, October 31st
A day of truly spine-tingling frights starts with encore presentations of “Melissa & Joey” (11:00 – 11:30 AM ET/PT), “Baby Daddy” (11:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET/PT) and “Freak Out” (12:00 – 2:00 PM ET/PT; encores at 12:00 AM ET/PT). Then…they’re heeeerrrreee! Back to back airings of otherworldly battles between some truly wicked spirits in Poltergeist (2:00 – 4:30 PM ET/PT), Dark Shadows” (4:30 – 7:00 PM ET/PT), Beetlejuice” (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) and “Casper” (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT).


Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network-defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. For 2014, ABC Family has launched the “WATCH ABC Family” authenticated service which allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on demand access to such popular series at home and on the go via a wide array of devices. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas.” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

The Look Back : Kids WB

The Flashback   Children's TV
                                                              
        We now return to all our children's programs.  Well, that got your attention, this time we are talking Kids WB something about this block  to really note.  It ran longer than the network it was created for , and  it was the last weekday children's block on commercial TV.
     The WB network  was announced  in 1993  as the network of Warner Brothers and Tribune Company (who owned a minority share and provided affiliates in major markets)  and it launched in  January of 1995. Many of the affiliates were stations that were non-affiliated (independents)and  some former network affiliates.  Like when we talked about FOX KIDS , many of these stations may have had their children's programming blocks of syndicated programs.   But like the network itself , why not have a place to show-off Warner Brothers cartoons and library of shows for Children?

    A new block of children's program yay!!!/ Warnerbrothers/Youtube                
     In the new fall season 1995, Kids WB launched  it  ran  Weekday afternoons for 1 hour 4-5pm (all time zones , though could be adjusted) , and Saturday Mornings ,of course, 8AM-11AM.  The Early programs were some Warner Brother's programs that were originally on FOX Kids or syndication: "Animaniacs". New series included : "Sylvester and Tweety mysteries" (Where the cat and bird solve mysteries together ) , Freakazoid! (about a teenager who absorbs his computer  and gains all knowledge of things on the internet  and becomes a super-hero), "Earthworm Jim" ( a super hero worm, no we didn't make these shows up) , and  "Animaniacs" spin-off "Pinky and The Brain" (Narff).
   
    See... we didn't make it up                 Warnerbrothers/ Youtube
         They also later  added cartoons of Batman and Superman  and was doing well enough to expand Weekdays by 2 more hours ( 1 hour in the morning, and 1 more hour in the afternoon, though some stations would combine into 3 hours in the afternoon) , in 1997.  Then something BIG happened.   In 1999, Kids Wb picked up the English Dub of anime program , "Pokemon". The Program was a hit.  (Stop!,  Kids WB was not the first home on American TV for Pokemon, it was originally in syndication. Now back to your whatever this is)   This helped it beat FOX Kids.  (We bet someone at FOX Kids was not very happy about not getting  Pokemon)

 
  Oh my Gosh! it's Something amazing! Call Everyone!!!!  | Youtube
    When you buy anime  and it does well, you buy more anime , and that's what they did.. like "Yu-Gi-Oh!".  Oh , and the whole block didn't become anime fueled it still had other series to make the non anime fans happy.
  OK, time for learning.. (E/I).
    In 1996, Time Warner owned Warner Brothers (well of course) , Ted Turner (for some odd reason) sold his company to Time Warner, one of those properties was Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network was launched in 1992, as a place for Ted Turner to put all his cartoons that he had bought in the 80's somewhere.  In March of 1997, Cartoon Network launched a block in the afternoon called Toonami. It was the home of Cartoon Network's action shows. (Yeah!!! Action!). Now keep that in mind.



( Can we get back to Kids'WB Now?)

    In 2001 , the afternoon block was renamed Toonami on Kids WB it didn't air everything the Cartoon Network block did,  but it did shows from Cartoon Network to the block ,namely the "Powerpuff Girls". Other shows were shared with Cartoon Network ,and some were Kids WB's own shows namely, "Nightmare Room".  Sadly in 2001  the weekday morning block was discontinued. (For Newscasts, bad talk shows , or infomercials depending on where you are because that's fun) .  This was around the same time as FOX Kids was in it's dying days, the weekday block of FOX kids had ended.  UPN's weekday block ,which was done by Disney,  and Kids WB were the only network weekday  children's blocks left.
    It's mix of outside  and done-by-Warner-Brothers, and  Cartoon Network co-operating continued.  They introduced a new version of Scooby-Doo  called "What's New Scooby-Doo" (Yes Scooby,what is new?) It was the first new Scooby Series in about a decade (the last Scooby-Doo series was A Pup named Scooby Doo , it was him as a puppy) after some direct to video releases and the other series airing in reruns on Cartoon Network, it was time. Scooby had a new voice and the series was a hip, cool 21st century making of  "Scooby Doo, Where are you?"

Yeah rock theme song.... cool      Warner Brothers/ Youtube
   There was also more "Pokemon" , !Mucha Lucha!, more "Yu-Gi-Oh!", and more.  In 2002, the Toonami on Kids WB name was removed and the weekday block was just called Kids WB.   So it continued it's competition around it was changing  around  2002.  CBS had Nickelodeon programming, ABC was more Disney  Channel Programming , FOX had given up and sold it's kids slot to 4Kids Entertainment , UPN  didn't do children's TV ( local stations had to find their own), and NBC had gone to Discovery. So, Kids WB was the only commerical network with it's own programmed block of new programming. Though Cartoon Network programs were shared with Kids WB.

more after this jump

A busy trade between 5 station groups

TV News    Business TV News 

    Today was a busy day for Lin, Media General , Sinclair , Hearst , and Meredith as some TV station deals and trades were made.
    Due to Lin and Media General wanting to merge , they had to remove some stations that would be redundant  and to comply with FCC ownership Rules.
      The Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Lin/Media General are making the following  sales as trade :
  Due to Media General owning WJAR-TV   (NBC affiliate)  and WPRI-TV (CBS) being owned by  Lin Media General will sell WJAR To  Sinclair  , keeping WPRI.
     In Greenbay  WLUK-TV(FOX) and WCWF(CW)  ,owned by Lin  will be sold to Sinclair while Media General owned WBAY (ABC)  will be owned by the new merged company.
   In Savannah, GA  WJCL (FOX)  the non-license assets owned by Lin will be sold to Sinclair , while the station will still be owned by WTGS Television ,LLC.

 Meanwhile as part of the trade , Sinclair will hand over 3 stations to Media General.
        WTTA-TV (MyTV) in Tampa Bay, which will become a sister station to WFLA (NBC) .    Colorado Springs Fox and CW affiliates KXRM (FOX) , KXTU (CW)  are the other two to be sold to Media General.
 
In Birmingham  Lin owned WTAT  (CBS) will be owned by the new company  , WVTM (NBC) ,owned by Media General , will be sold to Hearst Broadcasting.  Hearst will also acquire Savannah WJCL (abc).

In Moblie, Alabama  WALA  (FOX ) , will be sold to Meredith  Company , while it's sister station , CW affiliate WFNA  will co-run with WKRG (CBS).




soucres:  Sinclair (PDF)  Hearst   Lin/MG   TV news check