Lucky Dog (TV series)

CBS WKND
Network
LaunchedSeptember 28, 2013; 10 years ago (2013-09-28)
Country of originUnited States
Formerly known asCBS Dream Team (2013–2023)
FormatWeekend morning educational program block
Running time3 hours
Original language(s)English
Programmed by Hearst Media Production Group

CBS Weekend (stylized as CBS WKND and previously known as CBS Dream Team)[2] is an American children's programming block programmed by Hearst Media Production Group (formerly Litton Entertainment) which airs Saturday mornings on CBS under a time-lease agreement.

The block features six half-hours of live-action documentary and lifestyle series aimed at teenagers aged 10–18, all of which are designed to comply with educational programming requirements defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Children's Television Act.[3]

History

Original logo, used from 2013 to 2016.

On July 24, 2013, CBS announced that it had entered into a programming agreement with Litton Entertainment to launch a new weekend morning block featuring live-action lifestyle, wildlife, and documentary series aimed teens aged 10–18.[3] It was the second block programming agreement Litton had made after launching Weekend Adventure for ABC stations in the fall of 2011. Unlike the ABC deal which in technicality gave the time back to the affiliates to syndicate Litton's programming, the CBS deal for Litton was a traditional time brokerage agreement where CBS retained control over the time given to Litton.

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 Team Toon (which had aired on the network in various forms since 2006), a block produced by the Cookie Jar Group, was done in part to comply to secure educational content and advertising regulations in the Children's Television Act.

The CBS Dream Team launched on September 28, 2013. Its initial lineup consisted mainly of newer series, though Recipe Rehab shifted from Weekend Adventure to Dream Team for its third season.[4] The American Forces Network carries programming from the block for military children overseas.[1] All of the block's programming features Descriptive Video Service for the visually impaired on the second audio program channel. The block was originally subtitled with the additional wording of "...It's Epic" until the tagline was quietly removed at the start of its 2020-21 season.

On September 21, 2023, it was noted in a network press release that the block would be renamed "CBS WKND" ("WKND" being a disemvoweled abbreviation of "weekend") on October 7.[2]

Programming

Although programs featured on CBS Dream Team are designed to meet federally mandated educational programming guidelines,[5] 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 and CBS Sports commitments for coverage of college football and college basketball, along with select PGA golf events. Some stations may air the entirety of the Dream Team block on tape delay to accommodate local weekend morning newscasts, CBS Saturday Morning or other local programming.

Current programming

Program Premiere date Replaced Notes References
Lucky Dog September 28, 2013 Team Toon programming Originally hosted by Brandon McMillan.

Series would air twice on select stations

Longest-running series on the block and the flagship series

Eighth season is hosted by dog trainers Eric and Rashi Wiese starting January 2, 2021.

Rebroadcasts of seasons 8 and 9 are now airing in place of All In as of January 7, 2023.

Season 11 labeled as Lucky Dog Reunions

[6][7]
Recipe Rehab Team Toon programming
Did I Mention Invention? 		cooking competition series focusing on healthy alternatives to family recipes, hosted by Evette Rios and previously aired on Litton's Weekend Adventure
First run ended September 26, 2015; repeats returned on October 7, 2023. 		[6][8]
The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation September 27, 2014 profiles of inventors and their efforts to create their inventions, hosted by Mo Rocca

Replaced Jamie's 15 Minute Meals

[9]
Hope In the Wild September 29, 2018 Dr. Chris: Pet Vet (rebroadcast)
Tails of Valor January 5, 2019 Pet Vet: Dream Team
Lucky Dog (rebroadcast) 		hosted by Kel Mitchell
First run ended September 21, 2019; repeats returned on October 7, 2023.
Mission Unstoppable September 28, 2019 The Inspectors hosted by Miranda Cosgrove

profiles of female inventors in science including Kellyn LaCour-Conant

[10][11]

Former programming

Program Premiere date End date Replaced Replaced by Notes References
Jamie's 15-Minute Meals September 28, 2013 September 20, 2014 Team Toon programming Innovation Nation cooking series, hosted by Jamie Oliver [6]
Game Changers with Kevin Frazier September 24, 2016 profiles of the accomplishments of athletes in and outside their sports [6][12]
Dr. Chris: Pet Vet May 25, 2019 Pet Vet Dream Team (nationally)

Hope in the Wild (rebroadcasts)

documentary series, hosted by Dr. Chris Brown [6]
All In with Laila Ali September 24, 2022 Lucky Dog (rebroadcasts) profile series

Ended, but still aired for reruns for two years until October 2022

Removed in the 2015–2016 season for 5 years; When re-aired in 2020, it was placed in the timeslot of Best Friends Furever.

Chicken Soup for the Soul's Hidden Heroes October 3, 2015 June 24, 2017 Recipe Rehab a hidden camera series focusing on people doing good deeds; hosted by Brooke Burke-Charvet [13]
The Inspectors September 21, 2019 All In Mission Unstoppable 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

First scripted program

Pet Vet Dream Team April 7, 2018 September 24, 2022 Dr. Chris Pet Vet (nationally) Did I Mention Invention? Replaced national runs of Dr Chris: Pet Vet on June 1, 2019

Timeslot replaced with All In, replaced by Did I Mention Invention?

Best Friends Furever September 28, 2019 September 26, 2020 Tails of Valor All In [10]
Did I Mention Invention? October 1, 2022 September 30, 2023 Pet Vet Dream Team Tails of Valor (rebroadcasts) profiles of inventors and their efforts to create their inventions, hosted by Alie Ward

Originally aired on The CW and The CW Plus

References

  1. ^ a b Marc Berman (September 27, 2013). "New CBS Saturday Morning Line-Up Available Via American Forces Network". TV Media Insights. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "NEW SEASON OF "CBS DREAM TEAM," THE NETWORK'S AWARD-WINNING SATURDAY MORNING LINEUP, PREMIERES OCT. 2" (Press release). Paramount Press Express. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Meg James (July 24, 2013). "CBS partners with Litton Entertainment for Saturday teen block". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  4. ^ Smith, Vicki (September 7, 2013). "Former Greenbrier chef now stars in 'Recipe Rehab'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  5. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (July 24, 2013). "CBS Sets New Saturday Morning Block With Shows Hosted by Jamie Oliver, Laila Ali". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e Matt Webb Mitovich (July 24, 2013). "CBS Unveils New Saturday Morning Programming Block Targeting Young Teens". TVline. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  7. ^ "Eighth season of "Lucky Dog," part of the "CBS Dream Team" Saturday morning lineup, to introduce new hosts Eric and Rashi Wiese in new episodes premiering Jan. 2, 2021". ViacomCBS Press Express. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  8. ^ Logan, Michael (July 30, 2015). "CBS Adds New Crime Drama and Some Chicken Soup to Saturday Mornings". TV Insider. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  9. ^ Sherri Welch (September 27, 2014). "The Henry Ford to get national exposure with new weekly show on CBS". Crain Detroit Business. Crain Communications Inc. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "The Seventh Season of "CBS Dream Team… It's Epic!" Premieres Sept. 28" (Press release). CBS Press Express. September 4, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  11. ^ writer, JUDY BERGERON | Staff. "Making a splash: Look for Baton Rouge wetlands ecologist on 'Mission Unstoppable' Saturday". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  12. ^ "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. Archived from the original on September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  13. ^ Logan, Michael (July 30, 2015). "CBS Adds New Crime Drama and Some Chicken Soup to Saturday Mornings". TV Insider. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

External links