Universal Kids alternative timeline (1996 - present)

1996

 * December 10th: The Universal Kids channel is officially announced by NBC. The name originally existed as a weekday afternoon block on NBC, airing from 1988 to 1993.

1997

 * March 3rd: The Universal Kids channel officially launches on cable providers. By the end of 1997, Universal Kids was available to about 10 million homes.
 * In addition, Captain N: The Game Master, Super Mario World, The Smurfs, Wish Kid, Saved by the Bell, Name Your Adventure, Yo Yogi!, Flipper, Gumby and California Dreams debut on the network.
 * June: David Zaslav is appointed CEO of the Universal Kids channel.
 * September: Howdy Doody, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lassie are added to the schedule.

1998

 * April: David Zaslav announces the launch of Sprout, a preschool block on Universal Kids that would broadcast from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
 * September 14th: Universal Kids rebrands its look to mostly match itself with the 1997 Universal Pictures theatrical logo.
 * October 26th: The Sprout block launches. As a result, twelve hours of programming are now targeted towards preschoolers.
 * Barney & Friends, Sesame Street, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, Lamb Chop's Play-Along and Thomas & Friends premiere on the new block.
 * November 26th: Universal Kids airs the 72nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sprout programs that were scheduled between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM are delayed.

1999

 * May: Wish Kid, Captain N: The Game Master, Super Mario World, Yo Yogi! and The Smurfs depart the schedule.
 * Later that month, Hang Time, Saved by the Bell: The New Class and The Anti-Gravity Room premiere.
 * July: After the attempt of 12-hour preschool programming failed, David Zaslav anounces Sprout's loss of nine hours on the schedule, only airing everyday from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
 * September 6th: The Sprout block is reduced to three hours everyday.
 * November 25th: Universal Kids airs the 73rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.