Learning Network

Learning Network was an American children’s network that was launched on New Year’s Day of 2010, in order to compete with Boggle. The channel shut down May 11th, 2021, after FOXIS merged EMINX, EKTV, and Teen Network into tv19 KIDS. The channel was targeted towards children 2-6, and sometimes 6+ depending on what was aired.

## Formation, promotion, and rebranding

In 2009, former FOXIS CEO William Watkins announced plans to launch a new children’s channel, in order to compete with FOXIS’ other children’s channel, Boggle. Three months before Learning Network’s launch, in order to draw attention and anticipation, Channel 7 hosted a special weekend programming block, featuring shows that would later air on the Learning Network channel.

Before its rebrand in 2018, FOXIS sent out promotional posters to Learning Network viewers, giving them a sneak peek at the channel's new logo and programs. The poster promised an "80s" vibe to the channel, which was eventually dropped after two weeks after the rebrand.

## Programming

From 2010-2013, Learning Network aired reruns of former Boggle programming, such as The Post and Intergalactic. From 2013-2021, the channel branched out into making original programming, such as The Beef Stroganauts (TV Series) and The Lazuli and Zee Show!. While Learning Network made their own stuff, they also stole from others, such as Disney. Two popular Disney franchises, Descendants and Star Wars, were turned into early childhood programming (also known as “Junior” programming, which was indicated at the end of show titles). These ripoffs were removed from television after obscene episodes were aired on television and are only available to watch on a third-party website. After FOXIS stopped creating and promoting ripoff shows, they finally focused on strictly original programming, which cleansed their reputation.

## Radio broadcasting

From 2016-2020, with the help of NMED and NMRC, Learning Network was offered a 24-hour radio station, called Learning Network Radio. Music from various Learning Network shows, along with music from hosts of the network, were played. Learning Network Radio also played special radio broadcasts and audio plays featuring Learning Network characters.

On Saturdays, from 2016-2018, Lazuli Ferris hosted the popular radio broadcast, “Saturday Afternoons with Lazuli Ferris”, where she would chat with fans and give them an opportunity to win prizes. Rapper Gary Moore and his friends often participated in the giveaways, and everyone besides Gary won at least 4 things during the run of the broadcast.

In 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the radio station shut down.

## Parents Network block

At the start of 2013, FOXIS decided to launch a nighttime Learning Network block specifically targeted at young parents, which would be called “Parents Network”, in order to compete with Nick Jr.'s NickMom block. Parents Network started at 9pm and ended at 5am. The block would air over 30 FOXIS programs made by parents, along with acquired shows and movies. Every weekend, the block would air a taping of an iconic concert or musical performance. Parents Network received very poor ratings and backlash from parents, just like the NickMom block did.

*“My child was sick one night, and wanted to watch some Intergalactic so he could sleep. I turned on Learning Network for him and he was exposed to explicit content. Not against that content, but he shouldn’t be seeing that stuff at age 4. Every other children’s channel went off the air that night, so he had nothing else to watch! This is disappointing. This ‘Parents Network’ block is horrible.”* - Anonymous

The block was shut down in 2015, due to negative reviews and low viewership.

## Feelside block

After the fifth episode of the 2015 reboot of Feelside aired, Learning Network began re-airing Feelside episodes 30 minutes after their premiere. This would go on until the series finale.

On all 3 Feelside (2015) albums and their 1 EP, the Learning Network logo was displayed on every localized cover.

## Shutdown

On May 7th, 2021, NMED, the Ohio Department of Education, and FOXIS agreed to merge all of their children's channels into one, and rebrand all Ohio-owned FOXIS stations. On May 11th, Learning Network shut down, and was replaced by tv19 KIDS.