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FXZ (Fox eXtended Zoom; formerly known as the Fox Kids Network and Fox Zoom) is an American pay television channel owned by FX Networks, LLC, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment business segment and division of The Walt Disney Company. Aimed mainly at children 7 to 14 years old, the channel originally launched as the Fox Kids Network as a joint venture between News Corporation and Fox Family Worldwide Inc. on May 2, 1998, and later became part of FX Networks after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney in 2019.

The channel offered an alternate Spanish-language audio feed, either via a separate channel with the English track removed as part of a package of Spanish-language television networks sold by subscription providers or a separate audio track accessible through the SAP option, depending on the provider.

As of September 2018, FXZ is available to 86.4 million households in (95.8% of households with cable) in the United States.

History

Development (1994–1997)

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Early years (1997–2001)

The Fox Kids Network was launched nationally as a basic cable channel on May 2, 1998, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Initial programming on the channel consisted exclusively of reruns of 20th Century Fox cartoons (the pre-1956 RandomToons), Julian & Clara, and programming from the Fox Kids block itself including Bobby's World, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, RandomToons Zany Factory, Crash Bandicoot: The Series, Sonic: Mobius Heroes, The Magic School Bus, Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Goosebumps, X-Men, The Tick, and Tiny Toon Adventures. By the time the network launched, The Fox Kids Network's programming aired for sixteen hours each day from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. A challenge for the Fox Kids Network was to overcome its low penetration of existing cable systems. At the time of its launch, the channel was only carried by 250 cable systems. However, it benefited from package deals. New subscribers to sister channels FX and fXM could also get access to the Fox Kids Network through such deals. The high ratings of the Fox Kids Network over the following couple of years led to more cable systems including it.

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Rebranding as Fox Zoom and the Silver Age (2001–2008)

After Fox Family Worldwide was sold to The Walt Disney Company in July 2001, Fox Kids Network was being transferred to Fox Entertainment Group.

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The Where the Fun Begin era (2008–2013)

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Ratings competition and emergence in original programming (2013–2016)

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Rebranding and expanding across platforms (2016–2019)

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Disney era and rebranding to FXZ (2019-present)

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Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by FXZ

Programming on FXZ includes original animated series such as The Adventures of CynthiaThe Tales of Miracle, That's Wendy!, Quest High, Feeling Hyper, Life of the Servant, What's A Sweety, The Ghost Girls, Side Teens, Destiny, and Phoebe and Her Unicorn. The network's original programming is produced at 20th Television Animation, while other shows have been acquired from other studios, including sister studio Disney Television Animation.

Programming blocks

Current

  • FXZ Movie Mania – a weekend programming block that aired movies every Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. EST.
  • Disney on FXZ – a block of animated series produced by Disney Television Animation that airs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Sundays, which resulted from Disney's 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

Former

  • Trick or Zoom (2005-2020) - from October 1st to November 1st, Cynthia tries to celebrate Halloween while also dealing with the supernatural events. This block features Halloween specials.
  • Christmas with Cynthia (2006-2020) - from December 1st to December 26th, Cynthia and her friends celebrate the Christmas season. This block features holiday specials.
  • Foxtoons Fridays! (2004-2008) - A Friday night block that served as the marquee night for premieres, new episodes, and back-to-back reruns of the channel's popular animated series. Kids could vote for their favorite episodes to re-air the following week and compete in online games for exclusive Fox Zoom prizes.
  • 4Kids TV (2005-2008)– A weekday block that aired shows from Fox's Saturday morning block of the same name.
  • Cynthia's Greatest Summer Xtreme! (2007-2017) - an annual summer block where Cynthia having a wild summer party. The block replaces morning programming during the summer vacation period from July to late August, containing some of the channel's popular programs, and daily movies. The block also featured contests.
  • Zoom Saturday (2008-2010) - A morning block showcasing the channel's action and adventure animated series.
  • FoxNight (2010-2021) – a late-night block targeted towards teens and adults, airing every night from 12 a.m. EST to 6 a.m. EST.
  • FoxRetro (2010-2014) - A nostalgic Friday night block showcasing reruns of classic 90s Fox Kids programming like Julian & Clara, RandomToons Zany Factory, Bobby’s World, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and X-Men: The Animated Series.
  • Saturday Morning Action (2018-2022) - A Saturday morning block airs the channel's popular programs every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST.

Mascot

Unlike Fox Kids and the original Fox Family, the channel has a mascot: a beautiful red-haired roller-skate girl named Cynthia, being created by Nova Young. She primarily announce the upcoming cartoons, host the blocks and host special events as well. She first appeared in Mixed-Up Cartoons! short Roller Trouble.

Related media and projects

See also: List of Fox Zoom merchandise

FoxZoom.com

Main article: FXZ.com

FXZ.com is FXZ's main website, which launched in 2002. It provides content, as well as video clips and full episodes of FXZ series available for streaming.

Mobile apps

FXZ released a free mobile app for smartphones and tablet computers operating on the Apple and Android platforms in December 2012. Like FXZ .com, a TV Everywhere login code provided by participating subscription providers is required to view individual episodes of FXZ's series.

FXZ Games

FXZ Games (formerly Fox Zoom Games) is the video game publisher of video games based on Fox Zoom shows since 2003.

FXZ Movies

Main article: FXZ Movies

FXZ Movies is a motion picture production unit that was founded in March 2004, as a secondary feature animation division of 20th Century Studios (owned by The Walt Disney Studios).

Fox Zoom Magazine

Main article: Fox Zoom Magazine

Fox Zoom Magazine was a print magazine that was launched in 2002. It incorporated informative non-fiction pieces, humor (including pranks and parodical pieces), interviews, recipes, and a comic book section in the center of each issue featuring original comics by leading underground cartoonists as well as strips about popular Fox Zoom and non-Fox properties.

Video games

Main article: List of FXZ video games

The Fox Zoom website also features various Flash games incorporating characters from various Fox Zoom series.

Other services

Service Description
FXZ HD FXZ HD is a high definition simulcast feed of FXZ that broadcasts in the 720p resolution format; the feed first began broadcasting in 2008. Most of the network's original series since 2008 – mainly its animated content – feature films and select episodes, films and series produced before 2008. The HD feed is carried through most providers, excluding Dish.
FXZ On Demand FXZ On Demand is the channel's video-on-demand service, offering select episodes of FXZ's original series and certain acquired programs to pay television providers.

International channels

Main article: List of FXZ TV channels

Slogans

  • "A New Place to be Amazed " (2002–2006)
  • "Where the Fun Begin" (2006–2010)
  • "Enjoy the Zoom" (2010–2016)
  • "So Epic, So New" (2016–present)

Gallery

Trivia

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See also

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