BabyFirst

BabyFirst was founded in 2004[5] by Guy Oranim[6] and Sharon Rechter.[7][8][9] The network was launched on May 11, 2006 on DirecTV and made available through EchoStar's Dish Network that June.[10][11] The network is based in Los Angeles and was initially funded by Regency Enterprises (a Hollywood movie studio), Kardan (a holding company) and Bellco Capital (a private fund).[12][13] BabyFirst was controversial as the first 24-hour channel for children six months to three years in age,[13][14] but it was popular among parents[15][16][17] and grew quickly.[10]

In the 2000s, the Federal Trade Commission responded to a complaint by the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood alleging that BabyFirst's advertising that it helped babies develop skills was misleading. The FTC did not impose any sanctions.[10][18]

By 2008, it was broadcasting in ten territories in the Asia Pacific, such as China and Korea.[19] In October 2008, SingTel started distributing the channel to the Singapore audience.[20] It was also being broadcast in Africa and Latin America.[10] In May 2008, it signed a distribution agreement with Time Warner Cable.[10][21][22] In 2009, HBO Asia became the exclusive distributor for the channel in Asia.[23]

In 2011, BabyFirst obtained agreements to distribute the channel in the United Kingdom through the BSkyB satellite network as well as in Mexico through Sky Mexico and Cablevision.[24] A French version was introduced with CanalSat in 2011.[5] By the end of 2011, it had arranged broadcasting agreements throughout Europe,[25] the Middle East,[24][25] and Canada.[26]

A bilingual Latin/English channel, BabyFirst Americas, was launched with Comcast in 2012.[27][28] A premium BabyFirst YouTube channel was introduced in June 2013.[7]

In 2013, former ABC Network President Steven McPherson[7] and Rich Frank, the former chairman of Disney Channel[29] became investors and board members as the company worked to develop new content and improve advertising revenues.[29] In May 2014, BabyFirst and AT&T U-verse released a co-developed second-screen app for mobile devices for children to interact with the television programming through tablets or smartphones.[30]

• 1,2,3 Race!
• ABC Galaxy
• Albert and Junior
• Baby D.I.Y.
• Baby Maze
• Baby U
• Big Box Adventure
• Bubble of Fun with Bloop & Loop
• Bonnie Bear
• Color Crew
• Fred and Fiona
• GooGoo
• GooGoo and GaaGaa
• Harry and Larry: Pros Who Help!
• Harry the Bunny
• Hide and Seek
• Joey's Toy Box
• Li'l Vinnie's Art
• My Play Pals
• My Pop-up Book
• Numbers Around the Globe
• Playtime with Al
• Rainbow Horse
• Ready, Dress, Go!
• Shapes School
• Shushybye Baby
• The Yoyo & Peanut Show
• The Notekins
• Tillie Knock Knock
• VocabuLarry
• Wonder Box

• Tec the Tractor
• Mio Mao
• Suzy's Zoo
• Squeak!
• Musti
• Brainy Baby
• Caillou
• Zumbini Time
• Picture Pad

• Rise and Shine
• BabyFirst Club
• Baby First Favorites
• Developmental Programs for Baby
• Mama & Me Tot School
• BabyFirst Bedtime
• Baby's Best
• Early Bloomers

The New York Times described the content as "decidedly unhurried," making extensive use of bright colors and upbeat music.[14] Programming development is guided by child psychology experts and is designed to encourage a child's skills development, such as counting, vocabulary and color recognition.[7][13][25][33] The BabyFirst logo in the corner changes colors to indicate the skills a segment is intended to develop. Late-night programming is intended to lull viewers to sleep.[14]

There are also 41 BabyFirst apps for mobile devices.[32] An app available to AT&T U-verse viewers allows children to draw on a mobile device and have the drawing appear on the television screen.[30]

Some experts argue that exposing children to television at such an early age is taking technology too far or that parents are using BabyFirst as a digital babysitter. Parents in-turn refute that argument, claiming that experts have lost touch with the realities of raising a child.[34] BabyFirst suggests the programming is intended to be watched by parents and their children together in an interactive way.[35]