KT (TV channel)

KT (short for Kids' Television) was a free-to-air children's television channel owned by TVVC. It was launched on 19th April, 1999 replacing the pre-school programming block Tiny Vision, and aired everyday from 6:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. The channel aired a variety of programming aimed at both younger and older children, including original programming and acquired programming mostly from European sources.

The channel closed on 22nd June, 2008 following budget cuts TVVC was facing at the time.

Pre-launch
Before KT, TVVC had ran several programming strands on Vision 1. Including Saturday evening programming strand Bumper's Block from 1991 to 1997 and Tiny Vision from 1997 to 1999. In early 1999, it was announced that Tiny Vision would be discontinued in April that year in favour of a children's television channel that would replace it.

In 1998, Dominic Halls stepped down as executive for TVVC's Children's Department. He was replaced by Arnoud Teuling.

Early history: 1999-2004
KT officially launched at 6:00a.m. on 19th April, 1999. A majority of the channel's lineup at launch included both newer programming as well as reruns of programmes from Bumper's Block and Tiny Vision. Though mostly airing pre-school programmes at first, KT began to expand its lineup including shows that target an older audience. The channel also showed some Disney-owned series such as Bear in the Big Blue House, PB&J Otter and Rolie Polie Olie - these were eventually moved off the channel around 2003 after Playhouse Disney Kuboia launched as a channel.

Later years: 2004-2008
On 9th August, 2004, KT changed its logo and branding.

Programming
KT had a general children's target audience and therefore broadcast both pre-school shows and shows targeted to older children. However, it claimed itself as a very "equal" channel, citing that "all of [their] shows are suitable for all groups of children, regardless of age and gender". In addition to its own original programming, KT acquired programming from foreign countries, mostly from European markets. The channel broadcast both newer and older shows, including shows that were carried over from Bumper's Block and Tiny Vision.

Original programming
Pink cells indicate a show that was carried over after originally premiering on Tiny Vision.

This list is not complete.

Bumper's Block programming
Several of Bumper's Block programming was reran on KT, such as Blue Owl, Greenwood Forest, Ouraine and The Incredible World of Riddles.

Other acquired programming
Many of the programmes broadcast on Tiny Vision were carried over to KT, including Barney & Friends, Little Bear, Mr. Men and Little Miss, The Raccoons and The Raggy Dolls. The channel also showed contemporary pre-school programming, such as Bob the Builder, Hi-5 and Pocoyo.

In addition to pre-school programmes, KT also aired some programmes for older children, including Atomic Betty, Donkey Kong Country, Mona the Vampire, Sitting Ducks and Sonic Underground.

Wednesday morning variety programmes
At several times of the year, usually during the spring and summer months, KT would usually air magazine and variety programmes on Wednesday mornings. These were often simultaneously broadcast on both KT and Vision One and consisted of KT programming mixed with other forms of entertainment, including phone-in competitions and interviews with celebrities and other high-profile individuals.

Popular Wednesday morning magazine shows aired on KT include Superbus and Orbit Zone.

Presentation
Presentation on KT was often achieved through in-vision continuity links. These were usually broadcast live with a few rare exceptions. These were filmed at the TVVC Media Centre in Reichetto, East Kuboia.

Presenters
In-vision continuity links were always hoated by at least one presenter, who would do things such as state what programme would be coming up next and read messages sent in from viewers. Presenters came and went frequently during the channel's run, with only Blade Holter remaining as a present for the entire nine year period.

Final presenters

 * Amy-Elizabeth Phillips (2006-2008)
 * Blade Holter (1999-2008)
 * Ericka Streets (2002-2008)
 * Mina van Trease (2000-2008)
 * Spy Fandel (2002-2008)

Former presenters

 * Dan Guseo (2004-2006)
 * Felix Olajide (1999-2004)
 * Helen Duplooy (2001-2005)
 * Lottie Whilton (1999-2001)
 * Naomi Karma (1999-2004)

Stand-in presenters
A few others acted as stand-in presenters in situations where a majority of the main presenters were unavailable.
 * Cassie Polister (March 2005)
 * Jimmy Berg (January 2008)

Puppet characters
KT had several puppet characters throughout its entire run. At launch, several stuffed toys of animals were seen in continuity links, and would occasionally make sound effects whilst the presenters were interacting with them.

In later years, puppet characters with more unique looking designs began to be used following the introduction of Blocky the Rock in 2002, Orange the Owl in 2003 and Ms. Tulip in 2004. Unlike the other puppets, Ms. Tulip and Orange had the ability to speak, and often had about three or four different voice actors playing them on a rotation basis. They were also operated through machinery in contrast to the previous generic animal characters.

Legacy
KT and its programming has been heavily associated with children who grew up in Kuboia at the time.

Internet memes
A continuity link from March 2006 became an internet meme upon being rediscovered in 2020. The clip features Ericka Streets and Blade Holter talking to screen whilst Ms. Tulip is sitting in the background on a table. When she accidentally falls over, her voice actress Rachel Constantinos lets out a delayed "Ow!", which causes Streets and Holter to run over. Streets, deciding to play along with the incident, scolds Ms. Tulip for sitting too close to the edge of the table.

The link spawned memes due to internet users finding Constantinos' delayed call for help followed by Streets trying to play along to be humorous. Constantinos claimed in a YouTube comments section that she thought it would better for Streets and Holter to know that the Ms. Tulip plush toy had fallen, so decided to make a cry of injury to alert them.

Schedules

 * KT (TV channel)/January 2000
 * KT (TV channel)/August 2003