Seinfeld alum Jason Alexander is keeping busy these days. In addition to his new series Hit the Road for Audience Network, he has been tapped to lead the voice cast for Sprout’s new animated series Kody Kapow, set for premiere July 15. In addition, Sprout said today has added two new original animated series to its…

Sprout is expanding its reach. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s preschool network is rebranding to become Universal Kids, extending its audience to 2-11 year olds with content to include DreamWorks Animation Television series, unscripted entertainment, live action scripted originals, along with international…

Sprout, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment's 24-hour preschool network, is expanding its original programming slate with the greenlight of new series Remy and Boo created by Industrial Brothers’ Matt Fernandes and produced by Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker Studios. The network also has given Season 2 renewals to…

Sprout has hired veteran children’s media exec Deirdre Brennan as General Manager. Reporting directly to Frances Berwick, President, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainmen, Brennan will oversee all aspects of Sprout's programming, marketing, business strategy and performance of the 24-hour preschool…

In the first major post-acquisition synergy move between NBCUniversal and DreamWorks Animation, NBCU Cable Entertainment’s preschool channel Sprout has picked up Noddy Toyland Detective, DWA's first original preschool series. Sprout will be the U.S. distributor of the CG-animated series, co-produced by DWA and Gaumont…

Veteran Nickelodeon executive Amy Friedman has been named SVP Programming and Development for Sprout. She will oversee all content, including current programming and development of new original animated and live-action series, for NBCUniversal's 24-hour preschool network, reporting to Frances Berwick…

Little People, a new animated musical comedy series from Mattel and its Hit Entertainment, is set to premiere March 7 on Sprout. Based on the original Fisher Price brand and created for children ages 2-5, Little People celebrates the power of collaborative play. In the series, preschoolers are invited to join five…

Kicking off NBCUniversal day at the TCA Summer Press Tour, Sprout network president Sandy Wax announced that the preschoolers network will celebrate its 10th birthday on September 26 with a "total brand refresh across all our platforms." The new look will come with a new, very Sprout-y tag line: "Free to grow". The…

It’s a big change for Universal Partnerships & Licensing President Stephanie Sperber: A year after she extended her contract into 2016, the company said today that her turf will expand to include merchandise deals for NBC and Sprout properties. The change, giving her titles such as The Biggest Loser and The Tonight Sho…

The preschooler-targeted network Sprout is the latest addition to Cablevision’s Optimum TV, which announced on Wednesday that Glenn Beck’s TheBlaze network would be available by the end of the month. Sprout announced a slate of new programming last month at NBC’s Summer Press Day, as well as the renewal of its hit The…

Ray Richmond contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage. The preschooler-targeted network Sprout today announced a new slate of original programming additions as well as the renewal of its hit The Chica Show for a second season and its movement-inspiring series LazyTown for a third campaign. Sprout president Sandy Wax…

NBC will launch NBC Kids, a new Saturday morning block programmed by preschool service Sprout. Launching July 7, it will replace the current Qubo block, which has been airing on Saturday mornings for the past six years. NBCUniversal has ownership in Sprout via Comcast, which is a partner in the venture alongside PBS…