Shake!
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Production
Running time	Approx. 1 hour
Original release
Network	Channel 5
Release	1997 (1997) – 2011 (2011)

Shake! (formerly NGA, The Core, and Milkshake FM) was a television programming block shown by United Kingdom broadcaster Channel 5, airing animated and live-action programmes aimed at children and teenagers aged 6-15.

History

Before the introduction of the name The Core in 2000, the unbranded 'youth' strand was launched back in 1997, presented by Kate McIntyre in vision. Nick Wilson, Channel 5 programme controller for children's and religious programming, said it was a deliberate decision not to give the strand a name, like Channel 4's T4. He said "Once you get past 13, the last thing you want is to be put into your own zone or slot." The strand had its own on-air look from The Design Clinic, which included six new cartoon characters described as "a cross between South Park and the Mr. Men" that will unexpectedly bounce around on McIntyre during the continuity breaks. Programmes were scheduled between 11 am and 12 noon on Saturday, 4.30 pm and 6 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday.^[1]

The block originally ran between 2000 and 2007 under various names, and was launched as a new umbrella branding for older kids and teen programs on Channel 5 following the earlier demise in 1999 of the Josie D'Arby-hosted weekend afternoon teen series The Mag.^[2]

The block launched in 2000 as The Core, broadcasting on Saturday afternoons. A number of originally commissioned programs were created for the block, such as Harry and Cosh and Atlantis High, a number of imported teens shows were also used.

Shake! logo 2002-2005.

During Channel 5's major network relaunch of 2002, The Core was renamed to Milkshake! FM in January 2002, taking its name from the established Channel 5 preschool-age slot Milkshake!. This block aired in the mid-morning from 9 am to noon on Saturdays and Sundays, while a number of programs aired during The Core continued to be broadcast during Saturday afternoons. In September 2002, it was rebranded again as two separate blocks, Shake! and Milkshake! Toons. Milkshake! Toons aired in the afternoon from noon to 5 pm.

The block was removed in May 2007, and teen programs aired on Saturday morning not under a block of any sort on Channel 5.

Programming

2009 revival

In September 2009, it was announced that Channel 5 had entered into a strategic sponsorship with Disney to bring back Shake!.^[6] Under the new arrangement, Disney would sponsor the block and also provide some Disney Channel programming for the slot, such as Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place. Shake! returned with a new presenter, Jen Pringle.^[7]

The revived Shake! launched on Sunday 4 October 2009 at 10am with Snobs, Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, and The Tribe. Snobs and The Tribe were previously screened during the earlier run of Shake!.

In 2010, Shake! was sponsored by Nickelodeon, returning with a revamped set and showing iCarly and True Jackson, VP, among others.

However, Shake! was removed again in 2011 and was replaced with other imports including Power Rangers, Batman: The Brave And The Bold, ThunderCats, and SlugTerra. In 2014, they began airing shows from Nicktoons including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Fairly OddParents, and The Loud House.

References