Qubo Launches on Ion

Digital multicast channel Qubo has launched on Ion's (the group formerly known as "Paxson") 60 full-power TV stations as of 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8.

The three-hour Qubo block of kids shows will continue to air on the Ion analog stations as an afternoon block, as well as on NBC as its three-hour Saturday block and on NBCs co-owned Telemundo Spanish-language network as two, 1.5-hour blocks on Saturday and Sunday.

NBC has a one-third interest in Ion.

The 24/7 version of Qubo will comprise a rolling four-hour block of shows that will expand to six hours. Initial offerings will be Scholastic's Dragon, Nelvana's Babar, Elliott Moose, Janeand the Dragon, Jacob Two-Two, Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse, Pecola and Rupert; Classic Media's VeggieTales, 3-2-1 Penguins! and Larry Boy Stories, Lambchop's Play Along, and Theodore Tugboat; and NBC Universal's Boo!, Shelly Duvall's Bedtime Stories and Sitting Ducks.

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.