Kika (TV channel)

This article is about the German children's television channel. For other uses, seeKika (disambiguation).

Kika(currently stylised asKiKA,formerly asKI.KA;formallyDer Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF,transl. The Children's Channel ofARDandZDF) is a Germanfree-to-airtelevision channelbased inErfurt,Germany.It is managed by a joint venture by public-service broadcastersARD and ZDF. Its intended audience is children and the youth, devoid of advertising, and it is generally watched by children 3 to 13. TheMDRis responsible for its playout.

Kika

Logo used since 2012
Broadcast area	Germany Austria Switzerland Liechtenstein Belgium Luxembourg
Headquarters	Erfurt,Germany
Programming
Language(s)	German
Picture format	720pHDTV (downscaled to576ifor theSDTVfeed)
Ownership
Owner	ARDandZDF
History
Launched	1 January 1997(1997-01-01)
Former names	Der Kinderkanal(1997–2000)
Links
Website	www.kika.de
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television	Multiplexes vary depending on location
Streaming media
kika.de	Watch live

The channel also repeats shows, such asTabaluga tivifrom ZDF's main service.

Mascot

Bernd das BrotandpuppeteerJörg Teichgraeber during an autograph session

Kika'smascotis the puppet characterBernd das Brot,a chronicallydepressedloaf of bread.

Announcers

The channel uses live continuity announcers. Four of the most popular announcers were Juri Tetzlaff (1997–2010), Karsten Blumenthal (1997–2004), Singa Gätgens (1997–2010), and Lukas Koch (2003-2009).

History

In the channel’s early years, the program consisted mostly of series and shows that were already being broadcast on ARD and ZDF. Whole programs were being broadcast simultaneously on the mother channels and the children’s channel, for example the afternoon program of ZDF. Kika showed German as well as international series, like cartoon classics from the 1970s and 80s (Heidi,Biene Maja,Wickie,Little AmadeusorNils Holgersson). Classics of children’s TV like film versions ofAstrid Lindgrenbooks or theAugsburger Puppenkistewere also regularly being broadcast.

After a time, more original broadcasts started appearing in Kika’s program, likeSchloss Einstein,andThe Tribe.

The all-girlpopular musicbandSaphirwas formed of the 2007-2010 winners of the talent showKI.KA LIVE — Beste Stimme gesucht!(Best Voice Wanted).

There have been some changes in the programming in recent years. Although it had been one of the channel's original aims to broadcast bothanimatedandlive-actionseries, the former now predominate (85%). Apart from the numerousanimated series,the afternoonsoap operaSchloss Einsteinis currently almost the solelive-actionseries in Kika's lineup during the day. There are only two other live-action shows, one of which is aired in the afternoon and the other in the evening.

The channel sometimes offers continuous rebroadcasts of series that have come to an end. Similar to the procedure of private commercial stations, these series are broadcast as double features. But most of the older series, which had been repeatedly broadcast from 1997 to 2004, are currently excluded from the lineup. The fact that ARD and ZDF no longer own the appropriate broadcasting rights partly accounts for this.

The difference between the weekday and the weekend programming keeps vanishing steadily, since many series are aired daily. Thus some series, such asPet Alien,Being Ian,andJakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks,are almost continually part of the programme.

Augsburger Puppenkiste,a rather old German television programme which had always been on the air on Saturday and Sunday mornings, ceased being broadcast on Kika for four years but returned to the channel's lineup in April 2008. Many programmes, especially older series, such asPan Tau,Pippi Longstocking,andEs war einmal,can be seen only on the ZDF and regional channels.

Two children's movies are aired on Kika, on Fridays and Sundays; these are more often animated films rather than live-action films.

The channel on 8 July 2020 announced that they will participate in theJunior Eurovision Song Contestfor the first time with the2020 editioninWarsaw,Poland,the entry will be chosen in a national selection by membersARDandZDF,it will also be written by singer-songwriter Levent Geiger, a finalist in a children's showDein Songin 2015 and 2019.

Kikaninchen

A statue of Kikaninchen

Kikaninchenis a segment on KiKA whose main character is a blue, friendlyrabbit,that is very popular among children in Germany. Kikaninchen is known for its entertainment, engaging children in fun and educational games with its friends, as well as featuring preschool shows during the segment. Kikaninchen airs only onweekdays,between 6:10AM (afterLogo!) and somewhere around 10:20AM (actual end time may vary). His friends are Anni, Jule and Christian. Hisfamous catchphraseis "Dibedibedab"!

Logos

• 
  (1997–2000)
• 
  (2000–2005)
• 
  (2005–2008)
• 
  (2008–2012)
• 
  Current logo since 14 February 2012

See also

• List of German language television channels

External links

• Official website
• Tabaluga tivi's website(in German)