PBS Kids Sprout is the 24-hour brand co-created by PBS, HiT Entertainment, Sesame Workshop, and Comcast for programming aimed at encouraging “learning through play in a consistently safe environment for preschoolers” and providing “high quality, gold-standard shows.” The name is used to brand the free-to-air domestic American pay cable channel, on-demand service, and website. The channel was first launched on September 26, 2005, and was launched as a VOD service 6 months prior.