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The Best Options for Watching Universal Kids Without the Need for Cable

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If you want to have Universal Kids and similar channels available for your family, it’s no problem doing so without signing up for a long-term cable contract. Read on to learn all you need to know.

In a hurry? The biggest live TV streaming services offer Universal Kids. These are our top picks:

  • Fubo: With 150+ channels, it offers something for everyone. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
  • DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
  • Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels.

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.

In a hurry? Unfortunately, we don’t know a streaming service in that offers this TV channel/sport. But if you’ve already paid for the right service, and just can’t watch because of your location, there is an easy way to get the sports, movies, and TV you deserve. You need a VPN, like one of the following.

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Universal Kids is a channel that is dedicated to delivering programs for children from ages two to pre-teen. It offers a variety of animated series that please both parents and children.

Don’t worry about managing an expensive cable subscription. You can watch Universal Kids over a multitude of platforms. Let’s take a closer look.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

What Is Universal Kids

Universal Kids is the family network for NBCUniversal. This channel has a long and interesting history.

Originally, it started as PBS Kids. It was launched in 1999 as a block of children’s programming. It was offered to PBS members, upper package cable subscribers, and PBS member stations that paid a subscription fee.

Unfortunately, it could not compete with Children’s Television Workshop’s Noggin channel. So in September 2005, a joint venture between Sesame Street Workshop, PBS, and HIT entertainment was formed to create PBS Kids/Sprout. Primarily, it dedicated its shows to the preschool audience.

In 2013, NBCUniversal became the primary owner, and the PBS Kids name was dropped. Rebranding occurred in 2017. At that time, Universal Kids was born and started a lineup of primetime programs that pleased the younger crowd.

For example, it carried content from DreamWorks animation, international series, and spinoffs from sister networks like Top Chef Junior and American Ninja Junior. Today, it has stopped producing original programs and rests mainly on acquired content and DreamWorks entertainment.

Universal Kids Homepage
Universal Kids homepage.

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Universal Kids Shows

Due to a decrease in ratings, Universal Kids decided to stop developing original content. However, there are many shows from the past that remain very popular.

For instance, The Chica Show, which was based on the puppet segments on Sprout’s The Sunny Side Up Show. This beloved show ended in 2015. Now, short videos are available to watch on the Universal Kids website.

A similar animated series, The Floogals, has videos and games on the website as well. Other favorites like American Ninja Warrior Junior, Top Chef Junior, and Get Out of My Room may now be viewed on Peacock.

Despite the changes, there are many current favorites that may be streamed from Universal Kids.

  • Remy & Boo: Pairs a little girl and her best friend, a tiny blob. Her imagination takes them on many adventures, which teaches the importance of friendship.
  • CoComelon: Preschoolers love singing and dancing to their favorite nursery rhymes as they watch babies and animals go through everyday activities.
  • Masha and the Bear: The show is based on a children’s folktale. Masha and her bear go on many new ventures as she tries to keep him out of trouble.
  • Mighty Mike: Mike is an adorable pug. He tries to live a relaxing life in his big mansion. However, mischievous furry visitors try to put a damper on his plans.
  • Trolls: Based on the popular fad dolls of the 1980s, Trolls takes kids on musical adventures through Trolls’ Village. The bright colors attract young watchers, and everyone enjoys some singing and dancing.

Stream Universal Kids

Universal Kids is available on different TV streaming services.

  • FuboTV: FuboTV delivers 110+ channels, including Universal Kids, Disney Junior, and Nick Jr. For $69.99 per month, you receive numerous ways to view sports programs and kids shows. All plans come with at least 750 hours of cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on ten devices. (FuboTV review)
  • DIRECTV STREAM: If you subscribe to the Ultimate package for $104.99 per month, you enjoy great channels like Universal Kids, PBS Kids, BabyFirst, Nick Jr, and Disney Junior. All plans come with unlimited DVR storage (online sign-up only) and streaming on up to 20 devices at once. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
  • Hulu + Live TV: Includes Universal Kids in its base plan for $69.99 per month. It includes 85+ total channels including Nick Jr, Disney Junior, and Discovery. Additionally, it comes with ESPN+ and Disney+. You also get unlimited cloud DVR (9 month storage) and streaming on up to two devices. (Hulu + Live TV review)
  • YouTube TV: For $64.99 per month, your package includes 85+ channel including Universal Kids. Unlimited cloud storage and streaming on up to three devices is also included.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

On-Demand

Various shows from Universal Kids are available on-demand on a variety of services.

  • Amazon: Offers a number of Universal Kids shows for approximately $1.99 per episode. Some of the most popular titles, including The Floogals, are available. (Amazon Prime review)
  • Vudu: A great alternative to Netflix and Hulu. Its numerous offerings make it easy to stream episodes of Universal Kids shows.
  • Google Plus Movies: Similar to Amazon, you can purchase individual episodes of favorite Universal Kids shows for $1.99 per show.
  • Hulu On-Demand: Known for its vast library of shows and movies. You can only view UK’s latest DreamWorks series Where’s Waldo? on Hulu. But there is a vast trove of kids entertainment available. (Hulu review)

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You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

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Alternatives

There are several good alternatives to Universal Kids:

  • Disney Junior: Provides programming that is aimed at young children.
  • Nick Jr: The preschool offshoot channel to Paramount’s Nickelodeon. Favorite shows include Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, and Blue’s Clues & You.
  • PBS Kids: Public broadcasting was once tied directly with Universal Kids through its Sprout offerings. Today, it features existing series. In 2020, it became home to the Peanuts animated library.
  • YouTube Kids: YouTube began a unique channel for a younger audience. Children can view age-appropriate content so that parents can rest easy.

Streaming Devices to Watch Universal Kids

All of the streaming services above support the most popular devices:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android mobile
  • Apple TV
  • Chromecast
  • iOS (iPhone,iPad)
  • Roku
  • Samsung smart TVs
  • Web browsers.

Other than DIRECTV STREAM, all the services support:

  • Android TV-based TVs
  • LG smart TVs
  • VIZIO smart TVs
  • Xbox system.

Hulu and YouTube also support PlayStation units.

This list is incomplete. See our streaming service reviews for complete information.

Today’s Universal Kids Schedule

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 17

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear ShortiesFebruary

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 18

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear ShortiesTraffic Rules

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & DaveA Fire Fighter Adventure; A Bibble Bink Adventure

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave get to be firefighter helpers for the day and rescue Larry the Leopard Cub, who's stuck up a tree; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave learn how to speak monkey language.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesABC Song

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & DaveA Game Show Adventure; A Wishing Adventure

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave play "Hatty's Game Show," where they learn how to keep score; Dave, Tweet and Ruff-Ruff each make a wish to make their dreams come true.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesFive Little Monkeys

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & DaveA Rainbow Adventure; An Exploring Adventure

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave name and match the colors of the rainbow to the colors in Hatty's garden.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesRow Row Row Your Boat

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet & DaveA Ruff-Ruff Adventure; A Song Making Adventure

A sad Ruff-Ruff learns how to be a happy puppy again; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave make up a song to sing at Speedy Sheep's party.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesTwinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Kody KapowOstrich Kapow!; Bigville Kapow!

Kody has to get everyone home when the Kapows get stuck in a temple with a baby ostrich; the Kapows race to stop the Sapphire Dragon from becoming miniaturized.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesWheels on the Bus

Kody KapowTooth Fairy Kapow!; Delivery Kapow!

When Goji's tooth gets taken by a strange-looking tooth fairy who doesn't leave a gift, Kody sets out to get the tooth back from a greedy Mogo; Kody uses the power of distraction to keep the Sapphire Dragon safe.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesHickory Dickory Dock

Kody KapowTiger Prince Kapow!; Rocket Kapow!

The monkeys steal Goji's new toy and begin blindly following its orders, compelling Kody to try to find a creative way to retrieve it for his friend; the monkeys steal Kody's tablet and think its moon landing game is real.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesTeddy Bear

Kody KapowRobot Redo Kapow!; Scavenger Hunt Kapow!

Mogo's newest robot decides to steal the Sapphire Dragon; the Kapows must compete in a scavenger hunt to win back Master Li's missing package.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesIf You Are Happy

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 19

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesRainbow Song

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 44

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesColor Song

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 45

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesItsy-Bitsy Spider

Masha and the BearBest of Masha and the Bear: Volume 11

A little girl named Masha lives in the forest with her dog, goat and pig. She befriends a paternal bear who tries to keep her out of trouble.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesHey Diddle Diddle

Masha and the BearBest of Masha and the Bear: Volume 12

Includes "Dancing Fever," "Around the World in One Day," "Don't Wake Till Spring!," "Jam Day," "Tracks of Unknown Animals," "Monkey Business" and "Home Alone."

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesHumpty Dumpty

Masha and Bear set off for a picnic; Bear brings tea and sandwiches while Masha brings new toys, including a Boom-Boom Balloon.

Masha and the BearBest of Masha and the Bear: Volume 13

Includes "No Trespassing!," "Springtime for Bear," "Stripes and Whiskers," "Tee for Three," "Sabre-Toothed Bear," "Victory Cry" and "First Day of School."

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesBaa, Baa, Black Sheep

On a bike ride, Masha meets three different sheep.

Masha and the BearBest of Masha and the Bear: Volume 15

Includes "Coming Home Ain't Easy," "See You Later," "God Save the Queen," "At Your Service," "Bon Voyage," "And Action!" and "The Thriller Night."

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesRain Rain Go Away

Oh, it's raining, it's pouring; Masha can't go out into the yard with her ball, but with an umbrella and some rubber boots, things might take a completely different turn.

Masha and the BearBest of Masha and the Bear: Volume 14

Includes "Swept Away," "All the World's a Stage," "Holiday on Ice," "Happy Harvest," "How They Met," "Bon Appétit" and "Home Improvement."

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesDisco Song

Something interesting always happens with Tiger, and this time, it's a real disco inferno; a great way to liven up the trip to Bear's house is by singing songs and dancing.

FloogalsProject Library; Project Dog Training

When Boomer uses his folded Fizzer as a bookmark in one of Girl Hooman's books, it ends up getting taken to the library; The Floogals investigate dog training.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesMary Had a Little Lamb

Masha, Dasha, Panda and the little baby Sheep are in class at school; when the little sheep interrupts the lesson, Bear, the teacher, sends the baby Sheep to wait for Masha.

FloogalsProject Chicks; Project Duck

The Floogals find an incubator full of eggs; Boomer befriends a duck.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesShapes Song

Masha and the Penguin make geometric shapes in the snow while Bear shovels; determining how many interesting things can be put together from circles, squares and triangles.

FloogalsProject Guitar; Project Fee and the Band

Boomer has been watching Boy Hooman's guitar lessons; band practice in the garage.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesFive Little Ducks

Masha counts ducklings on the river; there are five of them, then four, then three, two, one, and suddenly, they seem to have all gone.

FloogalsProject Haircut; Project Dress Up

The Floogals discover Mom Hooman cutting off Boy Hooman's hair; The Floogals see Mom Hooman excitedly bring a box down from the attic.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesBingo

Masha has a new toy, a dog named Bingo; it's very interesting to play with the new toys, but Masha must teach the dog to be friends with cats and go to bed on time.

Nina's WorldNina the Detective; Nina's Old Oak Tree

Nina wants to solve a mystery after reading a detective book; the crew finds a boomerang toy after helping Chelsea find her wind-up plane.

Nina's WorldNina Gets Packing; Nina Camps Out

Nina packs for her first camping trip, but she wants to bring many unnecessary items.

Nina's WorldCamp Nina; Nina's Kickoff

Nina and her family return from camping; Carlos disturbs soccer practice.

Nina's WorldNina the Babysitter; Nina's Thanksgiving

Nina watches baby Henry for the day.

Nina's WorldNina's Game Day; Nina Learns Karate

Nina and her friends invent a game.

Nina's WorldNina's Very Merry Gift; Nina Celebrates Chinese New Year

Nina and Carlos are Christmas elves for the day and will be giving out special ornaments.

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 4

Episodes include "Prank Day," "Adventures in Dinkle-Sitting," "Eye'll Be Watching You," and "Sorry Not Sorry."

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 5

Episodes include "Big Poppy," "Neighbor War," "Remote Out of Control," and "Critter Comfort."

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!Adventures and Dance Parties, Volume 6

Episodes include "The Poppy Horror Picture Show," "Dinkles Dinkles Little Star," "The Party Games," and "Trolly Tales."

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 35

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesAnimal Sounds

Oh, how much paper Bear has; Bear can make origami, and rigs together a pet for Masha.

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 34

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Masha and the Bear: Nursery RhymesOld McDonald

On this farm there lives a cow, a sheep, a duck and a dog.

CocomelonCocomelon Sing-a-Longs, Volume 46

JJ and pals learn about letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more in this musical series featuring nursery rhymes.

Wrapping Up

Although Universal Kids has a deep history, it continues to provide quality kids’ entertainment shows on one channel. There are few networks that devote total programming to children. However, this is one that appeals to youngsters and parents.

Luckily, you can stream episodes without a cable subscription. We recommend Hulu + Live TV.

FAQs

Why doesn’t Universal Kids produce new content anymore?

Unfortunately, when Universal tried to rebrand Sprout, ratings declined dramatically. The decision was made to continue the network but no longer develop original shows. Instead, it has increased its acquisitions from the NBCUniversal umbrella and third-party producers. However, the animation division has seen the launch of two new series by DreamWorks. These include Where’s Waldo? and Norman Picklestripes.

How can I stream old shows from PBS Kids Sprout?

Numerous streaming services offer Sprout programs. For example, Hulu and Amazon both offer episodes. Hulu subscribers may stream old Sprout shows through its live TV service. On Amazon, old favorites like Caillou have full seasons available that are free for prime members. Other shows are available as well.

How can I stream other family and kids channels?

Our options to watch related channels:

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