Spring



Spring (formerly Omnitrans Spring until 2013) is an American pay television channel owned by Omnitrans. The channel was launched on June 24, 2005.

The network was first launched as a joint venture between NBeebies, Omnitrans, Elmore Workshop, and Bic Entertainment devoted to children's television programming aimed at a preschool audience. Following Comcast's purchase of NBCUniversal, the company gradually bought out the remaining owners' shares in the channel, reaching full ownership in 2013. The network's operations were subsequently relocated from Philadelphia to New York City and the "Omnitrans" name was dropped from its branding. The network rebranded under its current name on September 9, 2017 to take the branding of sister company Universal Pictures, expanding its primetime programming to focus on a wider youth audience aimed at older children, while continuing to broadcast preschool-oriented programming during the daytime hours.

Origins (2004-2005)
The ideas that formed Spring started in October 2004, when NBeebies, BiC Entertainment, Elmore Workshop, and Omnitrans entered a partnership. A Spring VOD service was launched in February 2005, offering 55 hours of preschool shows in both English and Spanish. Lesser-known shows were put in a category called "Children's Favorites" and eventually in their own categories.

First generation (2005-2009)
After a successful on-demand launch and months of preparation, Omnitrans Spring was launched on TV on June 24, 2005. It showed series from NBeebies, BiC Entertainment, and Elmore Workshop's libraries. Its main target audience was originally preschoolers, and featured schedules based on the day. Morning programming featured shows designed for kids to get ready for the day, late Morning and Afternoon programming featured educational shows for kids staying home from school, Noon programming featured shows aimed at kids returning from school, and evening programming was designed to get kids ready to go to sleep.

There was a multi-platform approach to Spring. The linear channel had variety with various shows from all over the world, the on-demand services had instant access to specific shows, and the programming blocks incorporated the use of the website. The look and feel of the channel during this era were designed to look like a children's picture book and is mostly done in a 2D style. This branding was done courtesy of Primal Screen, who also designed the logo.

Hosts Kenny Yates and Martina McBride were intended not simply to act as navigators but to add value with live-action interstitials involving singing, game playing and storytelling. Yates read birthday cards as part of Birthday Time, and McBride did crafts, sang songs, taught stretches and sign language, introduced Spanish words, and told stories as part of Last Hours Before Bed. She was unfairly fired the next year for appearing in the inappropriate Toddler Titans, and was subsequently replaced by David, and then Spring's flagship bedtime block Nala & Hoots.

By 2007, Spring started airing other blocks during different times of the day. The Explorer Show, which aired on afternoons and later weekends, launched in July, Plonker and Zoop and The Saturday Club, which aired on weekday mornings, both launched on Spring's 2nd anniversary, and The Spring Sharing Show, which aired on afternoons, launched on May 1, 2008.

Spring's scheduling also eschewed the practice of combining multiple episodes of short-form children's series into a single half-hour episode with interstitial segments for U.S. broadcast, electing to air such programs individually in their original format. For example, Thames the Strange Train 's older episodes last 4 and a half minutes. They aired exactly like that without being elongated. The network would be advertising-supported, but ads would only air between programs in small quantities and would be aimed towards parents and caregivers. During commercial breaks, many advertisements were aired for identity theft, paying taxes, and car insurance, although there were commercials aimed for kids as well, mostly mail-order toy commercials from As Seen On TV such as Pillow Pets.

In Spring 2009, it was announced Spring was launching a new block called Musical Mornings with Melody Mouse.

Second generation (2010-2015)
In Spring 2010, it was announced The Saturday Club was going every day and being renamed to Pansy's Club. Spring got a major facelift at the time, and each block and most shows opened with Springlings and/or their parents opening a cardboard shoebox with the Spring logo. Idents and branding were designed by the company Trace Pictures.

In 2010, Giggles & Scribble launched alongside a weekend edition of Pansy's Club, which replaced The Explorer Show. Other new shows were created specifically for the channel, including a 26-episode, long-form version of Pajama Dogs. Many of these shows aired on the main Omnitrans channel as part of a block called Omnitrans Jr..

With Apax Funds (UK) and Mattel (here) acquiring BiC Entertainment, the company decided to quit funding the network, albeit shows like Fun School and Thames the Strange Train still running. Same with Elmore Workshop in December of 2012. As a result, operations moved to New York from Pennsylvania.

Third generation (2015-2017)
Spring had new graphics introduced on June 24, 2015, due to both the channel turning 10 and ratings competition from Falidon's Dog Police. A few shows were dropped as well. Corporation Street was removed, Fun School and Thames were also removed, even though the former would return at one point. Big Box was disposed of, and The Proto Show was axed. As a result, Spring introduced two new shows, Nala's Way and Juno & Friends: Into the City! and a new block, Play Time with Ace. This was at the time Spring received a new slogan, "Grow with TV." The graphics were made to be sleek, minimalist, and modern, as opposed to the crafty and creative childhood feel of the previous two eras.

Fourth generation (2017-present)
In September 2017, Omnitrans Kids was introduced, and the Spring channel was again rebranded.

Branches

 * Omnitrans Jr. - A block of Spring shows that aired Saturday mornings on NBC.
 * Springonline.com -  A website for the brand. It was launched in 2005 as an online portal for Spring’s viewers. It featured games, videos, and many exclusive activities featuring unique characters and worlds.

Series
Spring aired a wide variety of different shows, which fit into six categories:


 * Spring Originals - Shows made specifically by and for Spring.
 * NBeebies library - Reruns of shows from PBS' archives
 * BiC Entertainment library - Reruns of shows from BiC Entertainment’s archives.
 * Elmore Workshop library - Reruns of shows from Elmore Workshop's archives.
 * Programming Blocks - Hosted links in between shows which aired at different times of the day.
 * Acquired series - Shows acquired from outside companies, which Spring aired but didn't produce.

Original

 * The Chrissie and Pals Show (2013-present)
 * Nala's Way (2015-present)
 * Splitting Climates (2016-present)
 * Spacerblast! (July 2017-present)
 * The Pansy Show (November 6, 2017-present)
 * Mike & Friends Funhouse (January 2018-present)
 * Rita & Floof (May 2018-present)
 * It's A Big Big Region (May 2019-present)
 * Where's Wesley? (September 2019-present)
 * Chiro Go Go: Monkey with A Toolbox (January 19, 2020-present)
 * Hudonamu (June 1, 2020-present)
 * Maddie's Clubhouse (November 2, 2020-present)
 * Donkey Owen (January 25, 2021-present)

Acquired

 * Fun School (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2015, December 17, 2018 - present)
 * Big Box (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2015, May 20, 2019 - present)
 * Maillou (June 24, 2005-present)
 * Thames the Strange Train (June 24, 2005-present)
 * Hip Hop Hugo (February 22, 2015-present)
 * The Crayola Bears (January 23, 2017-present)
 * Balado (November 27, 2017-present)
 * The Great and Creative Amelia (November 27, 2017-present)
 * Go Odie Go! (March 2018-present)
 * Daring Dash (September 2018-present)
 * Humanimals (October 2018-present)
 * Skeebo the Gift Dino (February 1, 2019-present)
 * Michael's Farm (April 24, 2020-present)
 * Lazerbeam (September 4, 2020-present)

Programming Blocks

 * Nala & Hoots (November 20, 2006-present)
 * The Explorer Show (May 21, 2007 - September 23, 2011, June 6, 2020 - present)
 * Pansy’s Club (Formerly Known as The Saturday Club, June 22, 2007-present)
 * Spring Control Room (May 19, 2014-present)
 * Play Time with Ace (June 24, 2015-present)
 * Crayola Bear Waffle (June 1, 2020-present)

Short Series

 * Pansy's Club: More Show After the Show (2007-present)
 * Speed Derby (2014-present)
 * Pop-Up Pals (2016-present)
 * Hoot Hoot Wow! (May 2017-present)
 * Knock Knock House (September 2017-present)
 * Bea & Zo (2018-present)
 * Toon Tunes (November 2018-present)
 * It's a Big Big Region: Real World Adventures (August 26, 2019-present)
 * Planster Polly Makes a Plan for You (November 1, 2019-present)
 * The Not-Too-Late Show (May 8, 2020-present)
 * Vixie's Land (February 2020-present)
 * Hudonamu Shorts (June 1, 2020-present)
 * Maddie's Clubhouse: Friend of The Day (August 17, 2020 - present)

Original

 * Abigail Fix: Scientist (2021)
 * Angelica Ballerina: One Step Further (2022)

Acquired

 * Special Camp for Superheroes (Summer 2022)

Original

 * Tweenzers (June 24, 2005- May 21, 2011)
 * Gavin & Wander (June 25, 2005 - November 16, 2008)
 * Bloomgirl Land (June 24, 2005 - November 12, 2012)
 * If You Give a Chipmunk a Chocolate Bar (June 25, 2005 - January 28, 2013)
 * The Songlets (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2011)
 * Annie's Helpline (March 6, 2006 - September 23, 2011)
 * Hurry the Racing Car (May 2007-2013)
 * Yo Playtime Playtime! (August 20, 2007 - April 1, 2016)
 * Figimon (December 8, 2007-2017)
 * Grandmother Maya's Movie Theater (January 2008 - February 14, 2012)
 * Juno & The Banana Team (2008-2015)
 * Whisker Village Tales (April 2009-2015)
 * Angelica Ballerina (September 2009-2015)
 * Cupcake & Friends (February 2010-2015)
 * Zap (2010-2018)
 * Pajama Dogs (2010 TV Series) (September 2010 - September 2016)
 * Go Jason Go (2010 - 2015)
 * Library Tales (2011 - 2020)
 * Giggles & Scribble (September 2011 - December 2016)
 * Numberats (March 19, 2012 - November 2013)
 * Ginty the Giraffe (2013- June 24, 2015)
 * Vroomalots (July 2014- May 2019)
 * Bloomgirl Land's Berry Bitty Adventures (2014 - 2018)
 * Juno & Friends: Into the City! (June 24, 2015-2019)
 * The Lenny Show (2016-2019)

Acquired

 * Faloomadoo (June 24, 2005 - March 26, 2012)
 * Corporation Street (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2015)
 * Sanvia the Indian Cat (June 24, 2005 - March 2009)
 * Gilbert and Friends (June 24. 2005 - August 14. 2010)
 * Billy's World (June 24, 2005 - 2012)
 * Tokyo Pshaw (June 24, 2005 - March 12, 2014)
 * Jafar (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2010)
 * Heathbar and The Cattleless Cows (June 24, 2005 - November 1, 2010)
 * Olive and the Gang (June 24, 2005 - May 21, 2015)
 * Pony Tales (June 24, 2005 - August 2011)
 * Pongu (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2010)
 * Angus: Australian Detective (June 24, 2005 - June 18, 2007)
 * Kapper! (June 24, 2005- September 20, 2010)
 * Tillytombers (June 24, 2005 - June 24, 2010)
 * Playstops (June 24, 2005 - February 15, 2010)
 * The Zing Show (June 24, 2005 - 2010)
 * Witika Island (January 27, 2006- September 26, 2009)
 * Tiny Robots (August 21, 2006 - August 19, 2009)
 * The Moobs (November 13, 2006 - January 28, 2013)
 * In the Nocturnal Park... (June 22, 2007 - November 7, 2011)
 * Peanut Butter Sauce (June 24, 2007 - June 24, 2009)
 * Play With Me Fun School (June 24, 2007 - April 19, 2016)
 * Corporation Hole (September 24, 2007 - June 24, 2015)
 * Jump with Boing (September 26, 2008 - February 7, 2011)
 * Frankie’s Feet (January 23, 2009 - August 2013)
 * 74 Safari Street (March 16, 2009 - November 18, 2013)
 * Baby Prodigy (2010-2014)
 * Splishsplashers (2010 - 2012)
 * Driver Dustin's Story Train (2010 - 2013)
 * BusyCity (August 21, 2011 - September 26, 2016)
 * The Proto Show (2011-2015)
 * Shera & Goose (November 7, 2011-2016)
 * Sealo (2012-2014)
 * Zuzu (2012-2016)
 * The Moverlies (October 13, 2013 - October 16, 2020)
 * Nicknack & Smiley (November 2013 - June 24, 2015)
 * Little Tick and the Goofy Adventures (2014-2016)
 * Bangers (2015-2017)
 * James & Josh (2016-2019)
 * Paxlo (September 11, 2017 - 2020)

Programming Blocks

 * Last Hours Before Bed (June 24, 2005-2006)
 * Live at The Playhouse (June 24, 2005 - May 10, 2014)
 * Live at The Bouncyhouse (June 24, 2005-2012)
 * Spring Diner (June 24, 2005- June 23, 2009)
 * Melody's Road Show (2007-2010)
 * Plonker and Zoop (June 24, 2007 - May 29, 2013)
 * The Spring Sharing Show (May 11, 2008- May 10, 2014)
 * Musical Mornings with Melody Mouse (August 24, 2009 - May 29, 2013)
 * Superhero School (February 14, 2012- June 23, 2015)

Short Series

 * Birthday Time (June 24, 2005 - June 21, 2007)
 * The Ticklies (June 24, 2005 - October 15, 2012)
 * Big Brother, Little Sister (June 24, 2005 -January 19, 2009)
 * Welcome to Whisker Village (June 24, 2005- April 2009)
 * Yip Yips (June 24, 2005 - September 25, 2007)
 * Tweenzers (music videos) (June 24, 2005 - 2011)
 * The Big Adventures of The Mini Mailman (2006-2009)
 * Tweenzers: More Show After the Show (2006-2010)
 * Wiser & His Wonder Machine (2007-2010)
 * Chuzme (May 5, 2008 - September 26, 2011)
 * Tweenzer Safety Tips (July 23, 2008 - 2011)
 * Pajama Dogs (October 27, 2008 - January 9, 2011)
 * Pansy's World (2009-2013)
 * Musical Moments with Melody Mouse (June 24, 2009-2013)
 * Bessie, Balalaika, and Zo (2010-2013)
 * Bluey & Greengo’s Opposite Show (2010-2012)
 * Woodwheelers (2010-2014)
 * Trickety’s Cafe (September 2011-2016)
 * Willy Kid (August 27, 2012- June 25, 2015)
 * Aliens Love Dressing Up and... (2013-2015)
 * Kiwi & Poot (2014-2019)
 * Poot and Pee (June 24, 2015 - 2017)

Annual Events

 * Maillou's Happy Grandparents Day (2008-2010)
 * Spring’s Preschool Musical on Strings (2008-2009)
 * Spring Snooze-a-Thon (December 2008 -present)
 * Spring Mixed Up April Fun Day (April 1, 2010-present)
 * Edmond's Movie Merry-Thon (2010-2011)
 * Spring Forward! (2012-2015)
 * Pajama Dogs: Pajama Morning (2013-2015)
 * Grouchy Spirits Weekend (2013-2014)
 * Summer of Spring (2016-present)
 * Gadget’s Club (2018-present)
 * Dogentines Day (2021)

Trivia

 * Despite it’s success, it only exists in the US and in Denmark (Spring Denmark). This is because of the fact that international companies would struggle adapting Pansy’s Club, which is important to the network.
 * The reason why Omnitrans omitted its name from the network was because of complaints that they didn’t really make the programs, despite 6 years later coming out with a show they actually made with Where’s Wesley.