Fox Junior

Fox Junior is an American preschool-oriented programming block that airs on cable children's network Fox Family. It originally launched in 2004 as a syndicated programming block created by a joint deal between 20th Century Fox and Tribune known as Playhouse Fox which in turn, replaced Playhouse TV (which was owned solely by Tribune) before making the move to cable in September 2018 and rebranded on July 1, 2019. Much like competitors Nick Junior, Little Royal Academy, and Cartoonito, Fox Junior targets young children between the ages of 3 and 6. It airs every weekday (Mondays to Fridays) from 9 AM to 1 PM while on syndication, the time depends on the station. Following 21st Century Fox's merger with The Walt Disney Company, Fox Junior is 80% owned by Disney and 20% owned by Nextar, which acquired Tribune in 2019.

Origins
The roots of Fox Junior originate as early as 1996 following the FCC creating a rule for local stations to have at least three hours of e/i programming for children. But during 1996, Fox Kids barely had any e/i programming so Fox's stations sought for e/i programming from a little known e/i preschool-oriented block named Playhouse TV. Playhouse TV at this point, had a monopoly on it's side due to many Fox affiliates wanting it for e/i programming and many of Tribune's owned stations (mostly WB affiliates). So in order to prevent either Fox or Tribune from being fined by the FCC, Tribune decided to let go of some Playhouse TV programming to Fox Kids and thus Fox Kids Play was born.

Playhouse Fox's Formation
Unlike Playhouse TV, Fox Kids Play was short-lived. Only living for a few years until the brand was acquired by Walt Disney Studios in 2004. As a result, Fox's owner, News Corp, began to acquire 50% of Playhouse TV to create Playhouse Fox. The block was available to 80% of the United States when formed. With most stations the broadcasted the block often opting for a weekday afternoon or Saturday morning slot. The three launch shows of the block are Anpanman (which previously aired on ABC before moving to Toonami in 2003), Catterny's Tales (which was the block's first original series), and Hamtaro (which aired on CBS).

Early Years (2004-2008)
Fox Junior's early years were considered simple. Markets that had the block on a UPN station, would often have the most stable ratings because most UPN stations aired the block on Saturday. While most Tribune-owned WB stations carried it on Sunday mornings. Fox stations and the non-Tribune WB stations would carry Fox Junior on Weekday afternoons. However, all of this would change in 2006 when The WB and UPN would merge to create The CW. Most markets that carried the block on UPN would make the move to MyNetworkTV, which seriously hurt the block as the network was struggling to gain an audience. While the stations that made the change to The CW that carried Playhouse Fox, would often move the block to Sunday mornings due to the Kids' WB block taking the Saturday slots.

While 2006 was a confusing year for stations, Playhouse Fox would create and air more programming at the same time to make up with the confusion. Joining Playhouse Fox were ex-Nick Junior show Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Canadian children's program Wimzie's House, and Preschool-oriented Twentieth Toons spin-off Twentieth Toons Kids. Though despite the new shows, the block's most viewed show, Catterny's Tales would make the move to KOL's Secret Slumber Party due to DIC Entertainment looking for an e/i show for their block. As of 2007, Playhouse Fox's most major supporters are WWOR of New York City, NY, KTLA of LA, and WDCW of Washington DC.