Bear Bones Channel

Bear Bones Channel was an American pay television channel that was operated by the Bear Bones Channel Group LLC. The channel was launched on June 23, 2001. Its headquarters were located in Los Angeles. Its programming consisted of original first-run series, theatrically-released and direct-to-video movies, and select third-party programming.

Origins
Bear Bones Productions first attempted to launch a 24-hour subscription channel in the United States, when the company announced plans to launch the Bear Bones Channel, a television offshoot of the syndicated programming block Bear Bones Lineup, which debuted on August 23, 1996. Plans for the United States network were ultimately shelved, however dedicated Bear Bones Channels were launched in other countries internationally.

Development of the Bear Bones Channel began on March 20, 2000, when Bear Bones announced that it would be forming a joint venture with Tribune Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Television, Walt Disney Television, Universal Television, News Corporation, Viacom, and Time Warner to launch the channel as a pay television service, which would compete with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel. The announcement also called for the 22 existing programming blocks.

Launch
The Bear Bones Channel was launched on June 23, 2001 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Many of the channel's programs previously aired on the Bear Bones Lineup.

On August 1, 2001, the network aired its first film, Cats Don't Dance, and continued to air movies for the rest of the network's life.

On December 12, 2001, the network aired How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), and continued to air specials on certain holidays.

Network closure
In 2014, Bear Bones Entertainment launched BBToons, a programming block airing on USA Network and UniMás. Per viewer demand, in October 2016, Bear Bones announced that BBToons would receive a dedicated 24-hour channel. On February 23, 2017, the network launched, replacing the existing Bear Bones Channel.

Programming blocks

 * Bear Bones Junior – Bear Bones Junior programs series targeted at preschool-age children daily every morning on Monday through Fridays from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm Eastern and Pacific Time (7-10am during the summer months, other designated school break periods, and on national holidays).
 * NiteBear – a late night block targeted towards teens and adults, airing every night from 9 p.m. EST to 3 a.m. EST.
 * SuperBear – a block that airs some computer animated, animated and live-action shorts at various times on Bear Bones Channel during the schedules.
 * Toasted Up! – Launched in 2005, Toasted Up! is a Saturday morning and afternoon block. It is similar in format to the Australian children's television program Toasted TV.


 * Bear Bones Power-Up! – Launched in 2005, Bear Bones Power-Up! was an action block.
 * Cineflick - Launched in 2005, Cineflick was a former weekend programming block that aired movies every Saturday and Sunday. The block discontinued in July 2011 although movies still aired on the channel, but without Cineflick branding.