Nick Jr.
History
History
-------

### Early years (1988–93\)

Since its launch on April 1, 1979, and throughout the 1980s, Nickelodeon aired programs for preschoolers (most prominently *[Pinwheel](/wiki/Pinwheel_%28TV_series%29 "Pinwheel (TV series)")* and *[Today's Special](/wiki/Today%27s_Special "Today's Special")*) on weekdays from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm and weekend mornings. After Nickelodeon's preschool block premiered a slew of new shows in 1987, it began using the **Nick Junior** branding on , coinciding with the premiere of the Spanish program *[The World of David the Gnome](/wiki/The_World_of_David_the_Gnome "The World of David the Gnome")*. A new rebrand for the block that abbreviated its name to *Nick Jr.* was gradually rolled out from September 5, 1988 to summer 1989\. Nick Jr.'s new logo was orange for 'Nick' and blue for 'Jr.', and it varied in the shape or species (e.g.: two gears, trains, robots, planets, insects, comets, or elephants). Like with Nickelodeon, Nick Jr.'s [network IDs](/wiki/Station_identification "Station identification") featured the block's logo in different shapes and styles. At launch, the block aired from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. On weekends, preschool programs aired at earlier hours of the day, and in the case of *Eureeka's Castle* went unbranded.

Until June 29, 1990, *[Pinwheel](/wiki/Pinwheel_%28TV_series%29 "Pinwheel (TV series)")* was featured, originally for three hours (two in the morning and one at noon), then for one hour starting in spring 1989\. When Nick Jr.'s original series *[Eureeka's Castle](/wiki/Eureeka%27s_Castle "Eureeka's Castle")* premiered in September, *Pinwheel* was split into two separate half hours in the morning and afternoon, where it remained until June 29, 1990, after which the block was truncated to run from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm on July 2, 1990, another solidified timing from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm on June 15, 1992, and lastly from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on October 5\. Much of Nick Jr.'s other programs at the time were of Japanese or foreign origin (including *[Fred Penner's Place](/wiki/Fred_Penner%27s_Place "Fred Penner's Place")*, *[Sharon, Lois \& Bram's Elephant Show](/wiki/Sharon%2C_Lois_%26_Bram%27s_Elephant_Show "Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show")*, *[Adventures of the Little Koala](/wiki/Adventures_of_the_Little_Koala "Adventures of the Little Koala")*, *[Noozles](/wiki/Noozles "Noozles")*, *[Maya the Bee](/wiki/Maya_the_Honey_Bee "Maya the Honey Bee")*, and *[The Littl' Bits](/wiki/The_Littl%27_Bits "The Littl' Bits")*).

### Grow, Learn, and Play (1993–94\)

On , Nick Jr. premiered a new series, *[Cappelli \& Company](/wiki/Cappelli_%26_Company "Cappelli & Company")*, and received a new rebrand which prominently featured a new logo consisting of an orange parent and a blue child, and the slogan *Grow, Learn, and Play*. Several Nick Jr. bumpers featured kids playing near a Nick Jr. logo and a theme song with the slogan sung to the melody of [*London Bridge*](/wiki/London_Bridge_Is_Falling_Down "London Bridge Is Falling Down"), and interstitials were created featuring *Cappelli \& Company* host [Frank Cappelli](/wiki/Frank_Cappelli "Frank Cappelli") on the set. Nick Jr. also started using a female announcer (who was replaced by a different one in 1995, 1998 and 2003\) in its promos and bumpers. Nick Jr. began to invest more into producing original interstitial series (including 1994's *Muppet Time*, forty two\-minute shorts from [The Jim Henson Company](/wiki/The_Jim_Henson_Company "The Jim Henson Company")) in order to stay within a self\-imposed limit of five minutes of commercials per hour. 

On April 4, 1994, the "Jim Henson's Muppet Hour" sub\-block was created by pairing *[Muppet Babies](/wiki/Jim_Henson%27s_Muppet_Babies "Jim Henson's Muppet Babies")* reruns with the new acquisition *[The Muppet Show](/wiki/The_Muppet_Show "The Muppet Show")*. Due to Nick Jr.'s declining ratings as well as competition from [PBS](/wiki/PBS "PBS")' [children's programs](/wiki/PBS_Kids "PBS Kids") and [TLC](/wiki/TLC_%28TV_network%29 "TLC (TV network)")'s Ready Set Learn block, Nickelodeon spent $30 million revamping the Nick Jr. block over the next three years.[Nick to spend $30 million on kids (page 53\)](http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-03-28.pdf) from Broadcasting \& Cable On June 13, older\-skewing Nickelodeon series *[Rugrats](/wiki/Rugrats "Rugrats")*, *[The Alvin Show](/wiki/The_Alvin_Show "The Alvin Show")*, *[Dennis the Menace](/wiki/Dennis_the_Menace_%281959_TV_series%29 "Dennis the Menace (1959 TV series)")*, and *[Lassie](/wiki/Lassie_%281954_TV_series%29 "Lassie (1954 TV series)")* joined Nick Jr.'s lineup, as the block's branding was temporarily de\-emphasized in favor of regular Nickelodeon branding until October 21\.

### Just for Me/Play to Learn (1994–2003\)

On , the Nick Jr. block returned with new on\-air branding and premiered two new original series, *[Gullah Gullah Island](/wiki/Gullah_Gullah_Island "Gullah Gullah Island")* and *[Allegra's Window](/wiki/Allegra%27s_Window "Allegra's Window")*, resulting in 50% rating gains for the block. Nick Jr. also introduced Face, an animated mascot that introduced shows and interstitials and led into commercial breaks. In the context of his segments, Face was capable of materializing objects such as an astronaut, a robot, a clown, a window, a traffic light, stars, and even wood. He was also capable of creating a number of [Foley](/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29 "Foley (filmmaking)") sound effects and voices including an iconic signature three\-note [trumpet](/wiki/Trumpet "Trumpet") noise usually following the name "Nick Jr." at the end of almost every bumper. Also, he changed colors, moods, and feelings. Face was voiced by [Chris Phillips](/wiki/Chris_Phillips_%28voice_actor%29 "Chris Phillips (voice actor)"), who also narrated several Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. promos. 

In 1995, Nick Jr. acquired broadcast rights to *[The Busy World of Richard Scarry](/wiki/The_Busy_World_of_Richard_Scarry "The Busy World of Richard Scarry")* from sister network [Showtime](/wiki/Showtime_%28TV_network%29 "Showtime (TV network)"), and later premiered *[Rupert](/wiki/Rupert_%28TV_series%29 "Rupert (TV series)")* on September 11 and *[Little Bear](/wiki/Little_Bear_%28TV_series%29 "Little Bear (TV series)")* on November 6 (both were produced by the Canadian animation studio [Nelvana](/wiki/Nelvana "Nelvana")). 

On , the first episode of *[Blue's Clues](/wiki/Blue%27s_Clues "Blue's Clues")* premiered in primetime on [Nick at Nite](/wiki/Nick_at_Nite "Nick at Nite"), then aired on Nick Jr. the next day. Nick Jr. also received a new rebrand produced by Pittard Sullivan. *Blue's Clues* quickly deposed *[Gullah Gullah Island](/wiki/Gullah_Gullah_Island "Gullah Gullah Island")* as Nick Jr.'s most popular series. *Rugrats* was pushed out of Nick Jr.'s lineup after May 2, 1997, to make room for second showings of *Little Bear* and *Blue's Clues*. *[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss](/wiki/The_Wubbulous_World_of_Dr._Seuss "The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss")* replaced *[Papa Beaver's Storytime](/wiki/Papa_Beaver%27s_Storytime "Papa Beaver's Storytime")* on October 7, 1997, after a series of occasional airings on the block from October 21, 1996, to February 1997\. On March 16, 1998, the "nickjr.com" website was launched. Later that year, Nick Jr. rebranded again and introduced the "Just for Me" slogan. A sign\-on and sign\-off bumper featuring the "Just for Me" slogan was used on Nick Jr. video releases from 2000–04\.

In the first quarter of 1999, Nick Jr. premiered three new series based on books, *[Franklin](/wiki/Franklin_%28TV_series%29 "Franklin (TV series)")* on January 11, and *[Kipper](/wiki/Kipper_%28TV_series%29 "Kipper (TV series)")* and *[Maisy](/wiki/Maisy "Maisy")* in February, which helped increase the block's ratings. Later in 1999, *[Little Bill](/wiki/Little_Bill "Little Bill")* premiered on November 28; the series' first episodes premiered on Nickelodeon Sunday nights before airing on Nick Jr. the next day. Nick Jr. briefly aired reruns of *[Shining Time Station](/wiki/Shining_Time_Station "Shining Time Station")* beginning June 5, 2000 (*[Maggie and the Ferocious Beast](/wiki/Maggie_and_the_Ferocious_Beast "Maggie and the Ferocious Beast")* premiered on the same day) to promote the film *[Thomas and the Magic Railroad](/wiki/Thomas_and_the_Magic_Railroad "Thomas and the Magic Railroad")*, before replacing it with *[Dora the Explorer](/wiki/Dora_the_Explorer_%28TV_series%29 "Dora the Explorer (TV series)")* on August 14, which became one of Nick Jr.'s most successful series.

The US dub of *[Bob the Builder](/wiki/Bob_the_Builder "Bob the Builder")* premiered on Nickelodeon on January 13, 2001, before airing on Nick Jr. two days later. *[Oswald](/wiki/Oswald_%28TV_series%29 "Oswald (TV series)")* premiered on August 20\. On , Nick Jr. received a new rebrand produced by AdamsMorioka (who had previously rebranded Nickelodeon and [Nick at Nite](/wiki/Nick_at_Nite "Nick at Nite")) and Editional Effects, intended to have a greater appeal towards parents. In the spring of 2002, Nick Jr. altered the format of its commercial breaks, resulting in the removal of older network IDs dating back to 1994\. Beginning on January 10, 2003, *[Dora the Explorer](/wiki/Dora_the_Explorer_%28TV_series%29 "Dora the Explorer (TV series)")* and *[Blue's Clues](/wiki/Blue%27s_Clues "Blue's Clues")* were placed in Nick Jr.'s "Play Along Time" sub\-block. On April 7, the day that sister network [Noggin](/wiki/Noggin_%28brand%29 "Noggin (brand)") rebranded and introduced [Moose and Zee](/wiki/Moose_and_Zee "Moose and Zee"), Nick Jr. aired some of Noggin's new original series (*[Oobi](/wiki/Oobi_%28TV_series%29 "Oobi (TV series)")*, *[Tweenies](/wiki/Tweenies "Tweenies")*, and *[Miffy and Friends](/wiki/Miffy_and_Friends "Miffy and Friends")*) as a cross\-promotion. Nick Jr. continued to air *Tweenies* from July to September 25\.

On August 29, 2003, the original Face interstitials ended their almost 9\-year run.

### Play Along (2003–04\)

On , Nick Jr. received a rebrand that introduced more than a dozen new logos; British program *[Rubbadubbers](/wiki/Rubbadubbers "Rubbadubbers")* premiered the next day. A new interstitial series called *Nick Jr. Play Along* was introduced, hosted by two live\-action hosts: Robin (played by actress [Hillary Hawkins](/wiki/Hillary_Hawkins "Hillary Hawkins")) and Zack (played by actor Travis Guba). Along with Robin and Zack were two [sock puppets](/wiki/Sock_puppet "Sock puppet") called the Feetbeats. Face was given a brand new look which added eyebrows and a chin and straightened his eyes by inverting their colors from white dots on black eyes to actual\-looking eyes, and was voiced by [Nick on CBS](/wiki/Nickelodeon_on_CBS "Nickelodeon on CBS") announcer Babi Floyd. The new Face promos were produced by Vee\-Pee Cartoons.

Nick Jr. removed the *Play Along* interstitials aside from a re\-edited block opening in February 2004\.

On October 8, 2004, the new Face interstitials ended their 1\-year run alongside most of Nick Jr.'s older interstitial series.

### Love to Play! (2004–07\)

On , Nick Jr. received another rebrand containing interstitials co\-produced with [Little Airplane Productions](/wiki/Little_Airplane_Productions "Little Airplane Productions") featuring the block's new mascot Piper O'Possum (voiced by [Ali Brustofski](/wiki/Ali_Brustofski "Ali Brustofski") and created by [Josh Selig](/wiki/Josh_Selig "Josh Selig")), and the new slogan "Love to Play!". Nick Jr.'s female announcer was replaced with Kobie Powell and Chris Phillips. Nick Jr. used its new on\-screen bug to promote its website until . *[LazyTown](/wiki/LazyTown "LazyTown")*, *[Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends](/wiki/Miss_Spider%27s_Sunny_Patch_Friends "Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends")*, *[Blue's Room](/wiki/Blue%27s_Room "Blue's Room")*, and *[The Backyardigans](/wiki/The_Backyardigans "The Backyardigans")* (the latter of which premiering alongside the rebrand) premiered on Nick Jr. in 2004\. Between 2004 and 2007, Nick Jr. reduced its reliance on interstitial series and increased the amount of commercials it aired.

*Dora the Explorer* spin\-off *[Go, Diego, Go!](/wiki/Go%2C_Diego%2C_Go%21 "Go, Diego, Go!")* premiered in 2005, whilst *[Wonder Pets!](/wiki/Wonder_Pets%21 "Wonder Pets!")* and *[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!](/wiki/Wow%21_Wow%21_Wubbzy%21 "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!")* debuted the following year.

On November 10, 2006, the *[SpongeBob SquarePants](/wiki/SpongeBob_SquarePants "SpongeBob SquarePants")* "Best Day Ever" marathon on Nickelodeon pre\-empted the Nick Jr. block.

On , *[Yo Gabba Gabba!](/wiki/Yo_Gabba_Gabba%21 "Yo Gabba Gabba!")* debuted, and was the only Nick Jr. series to premiere that year (*[Ni Hao, Kai\-Lan](/wiki/Ni_Hao%2C_Kai-Lan "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan")* was set to premiere in late\-2007, but was later delayed to premiere on ).

On September 7, 2007, the Piper O'Possum interstitials ended their almost 3\-year run.

### Play Date (2007–09\)

On , Nick Jr. received yet another rebrand named *Nick Jr.'s Play Date* or *Nick Jr. Play Date*. A new slogan, *Play with Us!*, was also included. The bumpers encouraged preschoolers to play along and featured the Nick Jr. logo in the form of two stop\-motion plushies. From September 10, 2007 to early February 2008, *Nick Jr.'s Play Date* retained the Nick Jr. on\-screen bugs from early 2006, only with the Play Date branding in place. Starting in February 2008, the on\-screen bugs were changed to match the branding. This marked the first time that Nick Jr. had no mascot since 1994\. Starting on , Nick Jr. began its broadcast at 8:30 am.

After January 30, 2009, the block stopped using the Nick Jr. brand name for the time being (in order to avoid confusion with the then\-upcoming [channel of the same name](/wiki/Nick_Jr._Channel "Nick Jr. Channel")). As a result, the *Play Date* interstitials ended their 1\.5\-year run.

### Nickelodeon rebranding (2009–14\)

[200px\|thumb\|Former logo used from September 28, 2009 to May 18, 2018\.](/wiki/File:Nick_Jr._logo_2009.svg "Nick Jr. logo 2009.svg")
On , the Nick Jr. block rebranded as *Nickelodeon's Play Date* or *Nickelodeon Play Date*. NickJr.com continued to use the Nick Jr. brand name to categorize all of Nickelodeon's preschool programming. The block's new branding was designed by Melinda Beck, and many bumpers featured drawings, finger puppets or cupcakes. The bumpers' music was a choir of kids vocalizing, and [Nicolette Pierini](/wiki/Nicolette_Pierini "Nicolette Pierini") was the announcer of each bumper. With this new branding, the Nick Jr. graphic bugs were replaced with the bug used for regular Nickelodeon programming. Despite now being known as *Nickelodeon's Play Date*, some bumpers still contained the Nick Jr. plush bumpers from the previous branding. From February 2 to June 26 of that same year, *Nickelodeon’s Play Date* retained the Nick Jr. split\-screen credits from the previous branding, only with the Nickelodeon splat logo in place. Starting on June 29 of that year, the split\-screen credits were changed to match the branding. On September 28 of that year, the Nick Jr. channel was launched, replacing *Noggin*. That same day, the block became simply known as *Nick's Play Date* or *Play Date*. Starting in the summer of 2010, *Nick's Play Date* began its broadcast at 7:00 am.

In 2011, *Nick's Play Date* received a new rebrand featuring characters from the block's shows. That same year, *Nick’s Play Date* stopped using the branding’s split\-screen credits, and started using Nickelodeon’s split\-screen credits design. The following year, the *Play Date* branding was replaced with a modified version of the Nick Jr. channel's new branding known as *Weekday Mornings on Nick: The Smart Place to Play*. Despite Nickelodeon displaying its shows' credits during the last 30 seconds before it since 2012, the branding retained the split\-screen credits for Nick Jr. shows airing on the block until .

### Return of Nick Jr. branding (2014–23\)

[thumb\|right\|Logo used since May 21, 2018; in which the logo is in slightly darker color. Concurrently used alongside the 2023 logo since July 5, 2023\.](/wiki/File:Nick_Jr._logo_2018.svg "Nick Jr. logo 2018.svg")
On , *Weekday Mornings on Nick: The Smart Place to Play* rebranded back to Nick Jr. and began calling itself "Nick Jr. on Nickelodeon" or "Nick Jr. on Nick" while still using a Nickelodeon screen bug. When aired on the Nick Jr. channel, commercials for programs broadcast on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block usually end with "Over on Nick" or "Over on Nickelodeon" to differentiate the titles. On the same day, the Nick Jr. block also began to use Nickelodeon's on\-screen credits to include more commercials (now 12 minutes per hour). On , the Nick Jr. website was fully redesigned to match up with the Nick Jr. app.

On , the Nick Jr. block rebranded with new bumpers and curriculum boards. Starting in the fall of 2020, Nick Jr. began its broadcast at 7:00 am once again for the first time since 2010\. As of fall 2022, the Nick Jr. block has been extended to sign off at 3:00 pm, but by January 2, 2023, it reverted to having a 2 p.m. sign off time.

### Return of Nickelodeon branding (2023–present)

On , the Nick Jr. block was rebranded to include a refreshed splat logo and used the Nickelodeon name in the refreshed bumpers, as well as refreshed curriculum boards, while the Nick Jr. channel eventually adopted the full rebrand on September 4\.


On what date did the Nick Jr. block rebrand with new bumpers and curriculum boards?