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Ready Set Learn

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Ready Set Learn!
Network
LaunchedDecember 28, 1992; 31 years ago (1992-12-28)
ClosedOctober 8, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-10-08)
Country of originUnited States
OwnerDiscovery Communications
FormatWeekday morning children's program block
Running time
  • 6 hours (1992–2003, TLC; 2000s, Discovery Kids)
  • 3 hours (2003–2008, TLC)
Original language(s)English

Ready Set Learn! was an American preschool television block broadcast from late 1992 until 2010 across the TLC and Discovery Kids networks, both owned by Discovery Communications. TLC ran the block from December 28, 1992 to September 26, 2008, with Discovery Kids following suit during the 2000s. It was the recipient of a CableACE Creator's Award during its run in the 1990s.

History[edit]

"Kids don't just sit and watch, they play along and learn at home."

Tagline from TLC's pre-launch pitch video for the block[1]

The TLC network's foray into preschool television,[2] Ready Set Learn! was first mentioned as early as August 1992.[3] The first two programs announced for the block were The Magic Box, a New Zealand import, and a rerun package of Zoobilee Zoo;[3] a third, TVOntario's Bookmice, joined their docket the following month.[4] Greg Moyer, Discovery Communications' senior vice-president of programming, expressed hope that a full-fledged channel would spin off from it.[4]

According to TLC employee John Ford, the block was inspired by a Carnegie Foundation report which stated that 35% of U.S. children began their education unprepared.[5] Assisted by director of programming Mike Quattrone (who had previously undertaken similar endeavors at PBS),[5] Ford selected the shows on the strengths of their educational value along with their visual vibrancy.[2] Finding it "extremely well-produced", he also bet on Kitty Cats—another property chosen for the lineup—as the block's breakout series.[2]

Ready Set Learn! debuted on December 28, 1992,[4] with Join In! and Professor Iris as its other two series.[6] A competitor to the PBS lineup,[3] its three-hour schedule aired twice on weekdays, first at 6:00 a.m. and again at 9:00 a.m.—a slot that Ford viewed as "a safe haven".[2] TLC chose to air it commercial-free because doing otherwise would detract from its purpose.[5] As such, Discovery used the format as a loss leader for expansion of the network's carriage, which stood at 18 million homes at the time.[2] According to the Associated Press, TLC invested $10 million in the block's initial development (excluding tentative fees from underwriting);[5] original programming was also planned.[3]

In its early years, Ready Set Learn! was hosted by children's entertainer Rory Zuckerman (billed as simply "Rory").[3][7] A resident of Bethesda, Maryland (where TLC's parent company Discovery was based), Rory set out to teach children language skills through her music, as well as to "welcome the children into the world of The Learning Channel and also the parents, care-givers and other viewers" as hostess.[6] The block would become the home of her own shows, Rory and Me and Rory's Place, which were seen by one million combined viewers per month in 1996.[8]

In September 1996, the Discovery Channel launched a counterpart Sunday-morning block to Ready Set Learn! while preparations for the launch of the Discovery Kids Channel were underway.[9] By mid-2002, Ready Set Learn!—now under the purview of the Discovery Kids team—revamped the lineup with Animal Jam, The Save-Ums!, and Ni Ni's Treehouse.[10] The block relaunched on February 24, 2003, with Paz the Penguin now hosting the interstitial segments; the 9:00 a.m. repeat moved to Discovery Kids.[11]

On September 26, 2008, Ready Set Learn! aired for the final time on TLC, with Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks and The Magic School Bus in its closing hour.[12] From that point on, reruns of TLC programs aimed towards older audiences occupied its timeslot.[13] On October 10, 2010, Discovery Kids rebranded as The Hub; its version of Ready evolved into HubBub.[14] As part of a cross-channel preview campaign leading up to its debut, TLC briefly returned to family-oriented entertainment with an airing of the Hasbro game show Family Game Night.[15]

Reception[edit]

Almost three weeks before its launch, the Hartford Courant was skeptical on whether Ready Set Learn! could succeed as "educational television", writing, "What children will learn first and foremost from this 'unprecedented' offering is how to watch TV, something they will master all too soon without TLC."[1] The block managed to premiere to positive press; Peggy Charren of Action for Children's Television approved of its commercial-free nature,[5] while a reporter for the Northwest Florida Daily News said, "From what I've seen, they're doing a pretty good job [at making television a teacher]."[16] During its original run, Ready Set Learn! received a CableACE Creators Award,[17] and was also honored by the National Education Association and the American Academy of Children's Entertainment.[10]

Merchandise[edit]

A merchandising line for Ready Set Learn!, featuring coloring books, was actively considered during the early weeks of its launch.[2] The first VHS releases under the brand, three Professor Iris collections, were released in September 1993.[18]

Programming[edit]

Programs are listed here by debut date, sorted by time slot where applicable.
Title Premiere date Notes Source(s)
Bookmice December 28, 1992 Produced by TVOntario[19] [2]
Join In! December 28, 1992 Produced by TVOntario[19] [2]
Zoobilee Zoo December 28, 1992 Rerun of DIC Entertainment/Hallmark series[20] [2]
Professor Iris December 28, 1992 [2]
The Magic Box December 28, 1992 New Zealand import[3] [2]
Kitty Cats December 28, 1992 [2]
Rory and Me September 19, 1994
[21]
Chicken Minute September 25, 1995 [23]
Little Star September 25, 1995 Produced by Société Radio-Canada and Ravensburger[24] [23]
Pappyland September 30, 1996 [25]
The World of David the Gnome September 30, 1996 Produced by BRB International[26] [24]
Wisdom of the Gnomes November 5, 1996 Produced by BRB International[26] [24]
Madison's Adventures: Growing Up Wild December 24, 1996
[28]
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon July 4, 1997 Created by Bobby Goldsboro for WEDU Tampa [29]
The Big Garage October 1997 [22]
Bingo and Molly October 1997 Produced in New Zealand[30] [22]
Skinnamarink TV October 1997 Starring Sharon, Lois & Bram [22]
Salty's Lighthouse April 1998 Produced by Sunbow Entertainment [31]
The Berenstain Bears November 2, 1998 Rerun of 1985 Hanna-Barbera/Southern Star series[32] [33]
Jay Jay the Jet Plane November 2, 1998 [34]
Ni Ni's Treehouse September 25, 2000 Developed by Kenn Viselman [35]
The Magic School Bus February 24, 2003 Rerun of Scholastic/Nelvana/PBS series[36] [11]
The Save-Ums! February 24, 2003 [11]
Hi-5 February 24, 2003 U.S. remake of original Australian series [11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Television as teacher?". Hartford Courant. 1992-12-09. p. B.8. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Donlon, Brian (1992-12-28). "Ready, Set, Learn! takes off". USA Today. p. 03D. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Learning Channel Plans Ad-Free Kids' Shows". Orlando Sentinel. New York Daily News. 1992-08-23. p. F2. Retrieved 2024-09-13 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Donlon, Brian (1992-09-10). "On cable, more education joins the 'toons and goods". USA Today. p. 03D. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Elber, Lynn (1993-01-01). "No-Ads Programming for Kids on Cable". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Associated Press. p. 09G. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Zad, Martie (1992-12-27). "Ready, Set, Learn! Rory Steers Learning Channel's 30-Hour Pre-School Show". The Washington Post. p. Y04. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  7. ↑ Sweetman, Keri (1997-05-06). "Rory hopes for full house at NAC". Ottawa Citizen. p. B.10. Retrieved 2024-09-13 – via ProQuest.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Children Feel Right at Home in 'Rory's Place' (TV Host Rory Zuckerman)". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1996-05-15. p. B-3. Retrieved 2024-09-13 – via ProQuest.
  9. ↑ Brown, Rich (1996-09-02). "Discovery launches kids block". Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 126 no. 37. p. 49. ISSN 1068-6827. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Discovery Kids teaming up with NBC for Saturday programming". Home Textiles Today. Cahners/Reed Elsevier: 26. May–June 2002. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.CS1 maint: Date format (link)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Heffley, Lynne (2003-02-24). "Television & Radio — Television Reviews: Making a play for the young set; TLC and Discovery Kids Network launch a new block of lively shows for preschoolers". Los Angeles Times. p. E.16. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  12. ↑ "Diversions | Television: Friday Morning". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. 2008-09-26. p. 30SC. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "TV Listings: Weekend Daytime: September 29, 2008 – October 3, 2008". The Post-Star. Glens Falls, New York. 2008-09-28. p. B4. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Reynolds, Mike (2010-10-04). "The Hub Gets Ready to Roll into Kids' Market". Multichannel News. Vol. 31 no. 37. p. 29. ISSN 0276-8593. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  15. ↑ Szalai, Georg (2010-10-07). "Behind the Hubbub". The Hollywood Reporter. 415. pp. 4, 15. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.
  16. ↑ Shoffer (1993-01-29). "The Learning Channel offers kids TLC". Northwest Florida Daily News. p. 8E. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  17. ↑ "A cable network success story". Cablecaster. Vol. 9 no. 9. Don Mills, Ontario. November 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via ProQuest.
  18. ↑ Zad, Martie (1993-09-12). "Spot Atop a Lot of Fall Videos for Youngsters". The Washington Post. p. Y05. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "TVO sells two series". The Globe and Mail. 1992-10-02. p. C.9. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  20. ↑ Marguiles, Lee (1986-12-31). "'Zoo'--Will It Pass Syndication Test?". Los Angeles Times. p. 16. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Moore, Scott (1994-08-28). "'Rory and Me'; Ready, Set, Land A Show of Your Own!". The Washington Post. p. Y06. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Sklar, Jill Davidson (1997-10-17). "Rory, Set, Learn! Chevy Chase's Rory Zuckerman is the star of her own educational shows for children". Baltimore Jewish Times. 237 (7). p. 91. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Mendoza, N F (1995-09-03). "Carrey On; Fall Kids' Shows Reprise Popular Masks, Fins and Sleuths". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Gelman, Morrie (1996-08-12). "Cable is there for kids". Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 126 no. 34. p. 34. ISSN 1068-6827. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  25. ↑ Holston, Noel (1996-09-04). "Cable networks lay claim to fall // They're competing with networks for new season". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. p. 01.E. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "MIP-TV Review". European Media Business & Finance. 1997-04-21. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.
  27. ↑ Tobenkin, David (1995-07-24). "Children's TV: New blocks put squeeze on kids syndication" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 125 no. 30. p. 46. ISSN 1068-6827. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via World Radio History.
  28. ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (2009). "Madison's Adventures—Growing Up Wild". The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons (3rd ed.). Checkmark Books (Facts on File). p. 555. ISBN 978-0-8160-6599-8. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via Archive.org. Search this book on
  29. ↑ Davis, Pamela (1997-03-26). "Singing a new tune // Bobby Goldsboro". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1.D. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  30. ↑ "Avalon prepares puppets for US TV". Evening Post. Wellington, New Zealand. 1997-04-25. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  31. ↑ "Sony Wonder Acquires Sunbow Entertainment". Entertainment Wire (Business Wire). 1998-04-27. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  32. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (2012-06-04). "Berenstain Bears Celebrate 50th Anniversary". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  33. ↑ Cox, Ted (1998-11-02). "In the Air". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, Illinois. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.
  34. ↑ Ellin, Harlene (1998-09-06). "Leafing Through the New Fall Shows for Kids". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  35. ↑ Shattuck, Kathrynb (2000-09-24). "Ask a Child to Create a Friend? That's a Ni Ni". The New York Times. p. 59. Retrieved 2024-09-14 – via ProQuest.
  36. ↑ Cook, Sally Williams (1994-06-24). "'Magic School Bus' Travels to TV with Kid-Friendly Science Lessons". Orlando Sentinel. Associated Press. p. E6. Retrieved 2024-09-15 – via ProQuest.

External links[edit]

Template:Former KidsTVBlocksUSA



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