Universal Family (Russia)

Universal Family is a Russian pay channel owned by NBCUniversal formed in 1999 as UPN Russia. Like its American counterpart, Gingo, it's geared towards children and teens between the ages of 7 and 17.

History
In 1999, UPN announced that the channel would open up in Russia. So in later the channel as formed. Though UPN Russia seemed to be better than its American channel due to it's variety and the channel's main show: Babar. UPN also had 1st party shows from Paramount from it's Nickelodeon channel and new episodes aired on Fridays at 6 PM. In 2006, the channel was later acquired by 4Kids. Becoming The 4kids Channel. Though several shows underwent hiatus during this era. Namely: Rupert, Madeline, Zina Supermoon, The Adventures of Paddington Bear and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. The channel was criticized for not having many western shows. With the only one there being Babar (which aired sparingly). In 2013, due to 4kids' bankruptcy, the channel was brought by Universal. Basically becoming a Russian version of Gingo. With the shows in hiatus returning.

Programming
Universal Family consists of similar programming to it's American conterpart. Which includes original series such as The Toon Hour, Gabriel Garza, Bernard Revamped, Niz Chicoloco (2018), Antonio and Mr. Wacky Fox, and Super Polly from Gingo as well as a few 3rd party shows from the DHX Media, Nelvana, and 9 Story libraries which includes Rupert, Madeline, Babar, The Adventures of Paddington Bear and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. The channel also uses the five anime demographics for each show: Kodomo-muke (Young Children) Shōnen (Boys), Shōjo (Girls), Seinen (Men) and Josei (Women).

Programming Blocks

 * Universal Preschool - A early morning block that airs on Weekdays from 6 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 6 am to 10 am. The block airs rarely on Sundays.
 * Nighthouse Russia - A Russian version of the block of the same name. It airs everyday from 10 pm to 5 am. (Though the 4 am slot is debatable)
 * Girlz Rule - A weekend block that airs on Sundays from 8 am (10 am starting in October) to 8 pm. It consists of shows such as Madeline, Cherrypillar, Zina Supermoon and more (Funny enough, Babar's counted as a girl show on the channel).

Yearly

 * Children's Day - Children's Day airs on May 5 every year from 6 am to 10 pm and airs shows about children and teens as the name implies.
 * Classic Cookout - A daily block that aired everyday replacing Universal Preschool from June 3 to September 2. It consists of Classic shows such as Rupert.
 * Japaname - A Nighttime block that airs every Saturday and Sunday during the Summer and Fall months. On Saturdays, it is geared for Seinen (Men) and Sundays are geard for Josei (Women).