Kindernet

Kindernet (Nickelodeon Kindernet in the 2011-2013 logo) was a Dutch television channel/block that aired classic and modern children's television series from the 1980s onward.

Two iterations of the network have been broadcast; the original lasted from 1988 to 2003, while a Nickelodeon-branded revival launched 2011 and ended in 2013.

Original (1988-2003)
Kindernet began as an idea by Dennis Livson, a Finnish producer and distributor of animated programmes, in the 1970s. He explained that, at the time, children's programmes made for television were too violent for young viewers. He therefore started a channel with so called "violence-free" cartoons. Its first logo reflected the childish aesthetic. The channel is finally launched through satellite (Intelsat V 27.5 degrees West) and some cable networks on 1 March 1988. It was founded and owned by Livson's production company Telecable Benelux B.V. with financing by British retailer W H Smith and Japanese company Fuji Eight of the Fujisankei Communications Group. Due to most days, commercial television was not allowed by Dutch law, the Dutch channel was broadcast via Luxembourg and England, and is considered to be the first commercial television channel in the Netherlands.

From 1988 to 2003, Kindernet aired between 7:00 and 10:00 AM, timesharing with other channels like the Flemish BRT. In 1995, the director of Kindernet launched VTV, which was aimed at female audiences. Both channels timeshared, though VTV was rather unsuccessful. Later, Kindernet would go on to timeshare with Discovery Channel and Net 5 (from 2000 to 2002). The channel then went through a rebranding, during which the name was changed to Kindernet 5 (corresponding to Net 5).

By the end of 2001, Kindernet was acquired by MTV Networks Europe, and switched from Net 5 to Veronica in September 2002.

This takeover was expressed in the new logo for the channel, which heavily resembled the 1990s Nickelodeon logo in terms of style and other variations. One year later, Kindernet was rebranded as Nickelodeon and ceased broadcast.

Return (2011-2013)
On 4 April 2011, Kindernet was relaunched as part of the Nickelodeon family of channels, replacing TMF. It initially aired between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM, sharing channel space with Comedy Central. On 1 October 2012, Kindernet's airtime was decreased from 9 hours to 3 hours, now airing from 6.00 to 9.00 AM.

The viewing figures of Kindernet had been disappointing for months (partly due to increasing competition from RTL Telekids, a children's block on RTL 8), of which the time slot between 6:00 and 9:00 in the morning (including the cartoon series Rugrats), however, scored the highest. the exception was regularly even 10% in market share, with a measured record of more than 70,000 viewers constantly between 6:00 and 7:00, of which the high market shares slowly decreased until 8:00, after which the 'normal' viewing figures returned became a little noticeable. The reduction in airtime resulted, among other things, that fewer repeats were seen.

Kindernet officially closed on 31 October 2013, allowing Comedy Central to expand in its place.

Final programming

 * Arabian Nights: Sinbad's Adventures (1989-2000, 2011-2013)
 * Wowser (1989-2003, 2011-2013)
 * Mrs. Pepperpot (1990-1992, 2011-2013)
 * Ox Tales (1990-2002, 2011-2013)
 * David the Gnome (1991-1999, 2011-2013)
 * Alfred J. Kwak (1991-2002, 2011-2013)
 * Vicky the Viking (1992-1999, 2011-2013)
 * The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (1992-2001, 2011-2013)
 * Maya the Honey Bee (1994-1996, 2011-2013)
 * AbraKOdabra (2011-2013)
 * Bug & Betsy (2011-2013)
 * Dobus (2011-2013)
 * Heidi, Girl of the Alps (2011-2013)
 * Kleine Klaas (2011-2013)
 * Lucky Luke (1984 TV series) (2011-2013)
 * My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (2011-2013)
 * Rugrats (2011-2013)
 * Samson & Gert (2011-2013)
 * Snorks (2011-2013)
 * The Adventures of Tintin (TV series) (2011-2013)
 * Wizzy en Woppy (2011-2013)
 * Zigby (2011-2013)
 * Seabert (2012-2013)
 * BFF (2013)
 * Hey Arnold! (2013)
 * Invisible Network of Kids (2013)

Former programming

 * Bassie & Adriaan (1988-2003) (also aired reruns on Kindernet's successor Nickelodeon)
 * Les Aventures de Colargol (1990)
 * Maple Town (1991-????)
 * Ovide and the Gang (1991-????)
 * Dr. Snuggles (1992-????)
 * Barbapapa (1992-1996)
 * Pinocchio (1992-????)
 * The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (1992-????)
 * Budgie the Little Helicopter (1992-2003)
 * Runaway Bay (1993-1999)
 * Albert the Fifth Musketeer (1993-2001)
 * Knock Outs (1996-2000)
 * The Neverending Story (TV series) (1996-1998)
 * Dino Babies (1996-2003)
 * Rupert (TV series) (1996-2003) (moved to NPO Zappelin after Kindernet's shutdown)
 * Zoocup (1997-1999)
 * Earthworm Jim (TV series) (1998-2000)
 * Ernst, Bobbie & de Rest (1998-2003) (moved to Fox Kids)
 * Surprise voor Sinterklaas (1999)
 * Bimble (1999-2000)
 * Boegie Woegie (1999-2000)
 * Urmel (1999-2000)
 * Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1999-2001)
 * Pocket Dragon Adventures (1999-2002)
 * Het Grote Sinterklaasverhaal (2000)
 * Patrol 03 (2000-2001)
 * Dr. Beanson (2000-2002) (removed after Kindernet moved to the ill-fated Veronica channel)
 * Dr. PBS (2000-2002) (removed after Kindernet moved to the ill-fated Veronica channel)
 * Greeny Phatom (2000-2002) (removed after Kindernet moved to the ill-fated Veronica channel)
 * Montana Jones (2000-2002)
 * Weird-Oh's (2000-2002)
 * Simsala Grimm (2000-2003)
 * In de Maling (2001-????)
 * De Kaboem Top 10 (2001-????)
 * Argai: The Prophecy (2001-2002) (later aired on Nickelodeon)
 * TrendTent (2001-????)
 * SNN-TV: Sint Nieuws Netwerk (2001)