KiKa facts for kids
Logo used since 2012
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| Broadcast area | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Erfurt, Germany |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | German |
| Picture format | 720p HDTV (downscaled to 576i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | ARD and ZDF |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 January 1997 |
| Former names | Der Kinderkanal (1997–2000) KI.KA (2000–2012) |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Digital terrestrial television | Multiplexes vary depending on location |
| Streaming media | |
| kika.de | Watch live |
KiKA is a popular German TV channel made just for kids and teens. Its full name used to be Der KinderKAnal von ARD und ZDF, which means "The Children's Channel of ARD and ZDF." It's based in Erfurt, Germany. You don't need to pay to watch KiKA; it's a free-to-air channel. It's run by two big public TV companies in Germany, ARD and ZDF, working together. KiKA usually airs shows for children aged 3 to 13. Sometimes, it also shows repeats of popular programs like Tabaluga tivi from ZDF.
Contents
Meet KiKA's Mascot: Bernd das Brot
Every TV channel often has a special character, or mascot, that represents it. KiKA's mascot is a puppet named Bernd das Brot. He's a loaf of bread who is known for being a bit grumpy and always looking a little sad. Even though he's a bit gloomy, he's a very famous and loved character in Germany!
KiKA's Announcers: Friendly Faces on Screen
KiKA has always had real people introducing shows and talking to viewers. These are called continuity announcers. They help guide you through the day's programs. Some of the most well-known announcers who worked at KiKA for many years include Juri Tetzlaff (from 1997 to 2010), Karsten Blumenthal (from 1997 to 2004), Singa Gätgens (from 1997 to 2010), and Lukas Koch (from 2003 to 2009).
KiKA's History: How the Channel Grew
Early Days of KiKA Programming
When KiKA first started, it mostly showed programs that were already on ARD and ZDF. This meant you could watch the same shows on KiKA and the main channels at the same time. KiKA aired both German and international series. Some of the classic cartoons from the 1970s and 80s included Heidi, Biene Maja, Wickie, Little Amadeus, and Nils Holgersson. The channel also regularly showed beloved children's classics, like movies based on Astrid Lindgren's books (who wrote Pippi Longstocking) and shows from the Augsburger Puppenkiste (a famous German puppet theater).
New Shows and Changes Over Time
After a while, KiKA began making more of its own original shows. Two popular examples were Schloss Einstein, a long-running teen soap opera, and The Tribe. The channel also helped create new talent. For instance, the all-girl popular music band Saphir was formed from the winners of a talent show called KI.KA LIVE — Beste Stimme gesucht! (which means "Best Voice Wanted").
In recent years, KiKA's programming has changed a bit. While it used to show a mix of animated and live-action series, now most of the shows (about 85%) are animated. Schloss Einstein is one of the few live-action series still shown during the day. There are only two other live-action shows, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
Changes in Series and Movies
Sometimes, KiKA will show old series that have finished, playing many episodes back-to-back. However, many older series that were popular from 1997 to 2004 are not shown anymore. This is often because ARD and ZDF no longer have the rights to broadcast them.
The difference between weekday and weekend programs has also become smaller. Many series are now shown every day. Shows like Pet Alien, Being Ian, and Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks are almost always part of the schedule.
Augsburger Puppenkiste, a very old German puppet show, stopped being shown on KiKA for four years but returned in April 2008. Other older shows, like Pan Tau and Pippi Longstocking, can now only be seen on ZDF or other regional channels.
KiKA also airs two children's movies each week, on Fridays and Sundays. These are usually animated films rather than live-action ones.
KiKA at Junior Eurovision
On July 8, 2020, KiKA announced exciting news: they would be taking part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the very first time! They joined the 2020 competition in Warsaw, Poland. Germany's entry was chosen through a national selection process by members of ARD and ZDF. The song was also written by Levent Geiger, a singer-songwriter who was a finalist in a children's show called Dein Song in 2015 and 2019.
Kikaninchen: Fun for Little Ones
Kikaninchen is a special part of KiKA's programming designed for younger children, especially preschoolers. It features a friendly blue rabbit named Kikaninchen. This segment airs on weekdays, usually from 6:00 AM until around 10:30 AM. During this time, KiKA shows programs made for very young viewers. Kikaninchen loves to play fun and educational games with his friends Anni, Jule, and Christian, and with other kids. His famous catchphrase is "Dibedibedab"!
KiKA Logos Through the Years
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(1997–2000)
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(2000–2005)
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(2005–2008)
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(2008–2012)
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Current logo since 14 February 2012
See also
In Spanish: KiKa para niños
