CBS Dream Team
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Network |
CBS American Forces Network[1] |
---|---|
Launched | September 28, 2013 |
Country of origin | United States |
Owner |
Litton Entertainment (produced under a time-lease agreement) |
Format | Saturday morning educational program block |
Running time | 3 hours |
Original Language(s) | English |
The CBS Dream Team (also known under the extended title of The CBS Dream Team...It's Epic!) is an American programming block that is programmed by Litton Entertainment, and airs weekend mornings on CBS. The block features six half-hour live-action documentary and lifestyle series aimed at teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16, which are designed to comply with educational programming requirements defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Children's Television Act.[2]
History
On July 24, 2013, CBS announced that it had entered into a programming agreement with Litton Entertainment to launch a new Saturday morning block featuring live-action lifestyle, wildlife and documentary series aimed at teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16.[2] Litton already programmed a Saturday morning block for ABC, Litton's Weekend Adventure, which debuted in September 2011 in an agreement in which the block was syndicated to that network's owned-and-operated stations and affiliates (it subsequently began producing a similarly formatted block for CBS sister network The CW in October 2014). CBS' decision to restructure the block away from the traditional fare of animated and live-action scripted series – which it had been airing at the time of the deal as part of Cookie Jar TV, a block produced by Cookie Jar Group was done in part to comply to tightened educational content and advertising regulations in the Children's Television Act.
The CBS Dream Team, debuted on September 28, 2013; this marked the second time that CBS carried an exclusively live-action block for younger audiences on Saturday mornings, having previously produced an E/I-compliant block called Think CBS Kids from September 1997 to September 1998. The Dream Team block's initial lineup consisted mainly of newer series; however, the cooking series Recipe Rehab also migrated to the Dream Team from Litton's Weekend Adventure for its third season.[3] Shortly before the block debuted, Litton reached a distribution agreement with the American Forces Network to televise the block to provide educational content to military children overseas.[1] All of the network's programming features Descriptive Video Service for the visually impaired on the second audio program channel.
Programming
Although programs featured on CBS Dream Team are designed to meet federally mandated educational programming guidelines,[4] some CBS stations may carry syndicated educational programs to provide supplementary E/I content. Some programs aired within the block may be deferred to Sunday morning slots, or (in the case of affiliates in the Western United States) Saturday afternoons due to breaking news, severe weather coverage, or regional or select national sports telecasts (especially in the case of college football and basketball games) scheduled in earlier Saturday timeslots as makegoods to comply with the E/I regulations. Some stations may air the entirety of the Dream Team block on tape delay to accommodate local weekend morning newscasts, CBS This Morning Saturday or other programs of local interest (such as real estate or lifestyle programs).
Current programming
- Lucky Dog (2013–present) hosted by Brandon McMillan [5]
- Dr. Chris: Pet Vet (2013–present) documentary series, hosted by Dr. Chris Brown [5]
- The Henry Ford Innovation Nation (2014–present) profiles of inventors and their efforts to create their inventions, hosted by Mo Rocca[6]
- Chicken Soup for the Soul's Hidden Heroes (October 3, 2015-present) a hidden camera series focusing on people doing good deeds; hosted by Brooke Burke-Charvet [7]
- The Inspectors (October 3, 2015-present) drama series centering on Preston Wainwright (played by Bret Green), a paralyzed teenager who helps his postal inspector mother (played by Jessica Lundy) solve crimes [7][n1 1]
- The Open Road with Dr. Chris (October 1, 2016-present)[8]
Former programming
- Jamie's 15-Minute Meals (2013–2014) cooking series, hosted by Jamie Oliver[5]
- Recipe Rehab (2013—September 26, 2015) cooking competition series focusing on healthy alternatives to family recipes, hosted by Evette Rios[5][7]
- All In with Laila Ali (2013—September 26, 2015) profile series[5][7]
- Game Changers with Kevin Frazier (2013–2016) profiles of the accomplishments of athletes in and outside their sports[5][8]
References
- 1 2 Marc Berman (September 27, 2013). "New CBS Saturday Morning Line-Up Available Via American Forces Network". TV Media Insights. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
- 1 2 Meg James (July 24, 2013). "CBS partners with Litton Entertainment for Saturday teen block". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ↑ "Former Greenbrier chef now stars in 'Recipe Rehab'". Associated Press. September 7, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ↑ "CBS Sets New Saturday Morning Block With Shows Hosted by Jamie Oliver, Laila Ali". The Hollywood Reporter. July 24, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Matt Webb Mitovich (July 24, 2013). "CBS Unveils New Saturday Morning Programming Block Targeting Young Teens". TVline. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
- ↑ Sherri Welch (September 11, 2014). "The Henry Ford to get national exposure with new weekly show on CBS". Crain Detroit Business. Crain Communications Inc. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Logan, Michael (July 30, 2015). "CBS Adds New Crime Drama and Some Chicken Soup to Saturday Mornings". TV Insider. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- 1 2 "The CBS Dream Team, It's Epic!" Adds New Series to Its Saturday Morning Lineup, When the Fourth Season Premieres Oct. 1" (Press release). July 29, 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
Notes
- ↑ In addition to being the first original scripted series to air on the CBS Dream Team block, The Inspectors will be the first scripted program produced by Litton Entertainment since the 1998-2001 syndicated series Critter Gitters.