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.
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 tweens/teens aged 10–18.[3] It was the second block programming agreement Litton had made after launching Weekend Adventure for ABC stations in fall two years later. 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 Cookie Jar TV (which had aired on the network in various forms), a block produced by the Canada-based Cookie Jar Group (now WildBrain), 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 switched 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 October 7, 2023, the block was rebranded as CBS Weekend, stylized as "CBS WKND" ("WKND" being a disemvoweled abbreviation of "weekend"), bringing the block in line with the current CBS corporate identity, plus renewed for at least the 2023–24 season.[2]
Programming
Although programs featured on CBS WKND 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 both college football and college basketball, alongside select PGA golf events. Some stations may air the entirety of the block on tape delay to accommodate local weekend morning newscasts, CBS Saturday Morning or other local 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 8-9 are now airing in place of All In as of January 7, 2023. Season 11 labeled as Lucky Dog: Reunions The series also aired on Dabl on Sundays until 2024.
Cooking competition series centering on healthy alternatives to family recipes, hosted by Evette Rios and previously aired on Litton's Weekend Adventure First run ended September 26, 2015; reruns returned on October 7, 2023.
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?
