Barney & Friends is an American children's television series targeted at young children aged 2–7, created by Sheryl Leach. The series premiered on PBS on April 6, 1992. The series features the title character Barney, a purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex who conveys educational messages through songs and small dance routines with a friendly, huggable and optimistic attitude. The series ended on November 2, 2010, although new videos were still released on various dates after the last episode aired. Reruns aired on Sprout from 2005 until 2015, and from December 17, 2018, onward on Sprout's successor network, Universal Kids.
In 2015, a revival was announced to premiere in 2017 but was delayed into an undated launch until being re-announced as a CGI-animated series in February 2023. On October 18, 2019, Mattel Films announced that a second Barney film was to be produced; British actor Daniel Kaluuya's production company was involved.
While popular with its intended audience, Barney drew severe negative reaction from the older set, who mocked the title character in popular culture through song parodies and comedy routines such as being beaten up by NBA star Charles Barkley on a Saturday Night Live episode. The anti-Barney phenomenon is the basis of the 2022 Peacock documentary I Love You, You Hate Me. Barney has also received immense praise from parents for being a wholesome yet engaging show for children that delves into common, kid-friendly topics.
Cast and characters
- Bob West (1992–2001) and Dean Wendt (2002–2010) - Barney
- Julie Johnson - Baby Bop
- Patty Wirtz - BJ
- Michaela Dietz - Riff
- Various children and babies, most of which are from the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex, including:
- Danielle Vega - Kim
- Demi Lovato - Angela
- Selena Gomez - Gianna
- Debby Ryan - Debby
- Madison Pettis - Bridget
International verisons
| Country | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | החברים של ברני Hachaverim Shel Barney |
Arutz HaYeladim, Channel 2, Channel 33, JimJam, Hop! Channel |
| South Korea | 바니와 친구들 Baniwa Chingudeul |
KBS |
International broadcast
| Country | Network | Local title |
|---|---|---|
| United States (English) | PBS, PBS Kids Sprout, Sprout and Universal Kids | Barney & Friends |
| International | AFN Family | |
| Asia | Playhouse Disney and Nickelodeon | |
| Australia | Fox Kids, Nine Network | |
| Bahrain | Bahrain TV Channel 55 | |
| Canada | Treehouse TV | |
| Denmark | JimJam | |
| Guyana | DTV-8 | |
| Hong Kong (English) | ATV World | |
| India (Hindi) | Pogo | |
| India (Kannada) | Chintu TV | |
| India (Tamil) | Chutti TV | |
| India (Telugu) | Kushi TV | |
| Indonesia | SCTV, ANTV, Indosiar, B Channel, Horee! | |
| Ireland | RTÉ2 | |
| Malaysia | TV3 | |
| New Zealand | Four, TVNZ 2 | |
| Singapore (English) | Kids Central | |
| South Africa (English) | M-Net | |
| United Arab Emirates | e-Junior | |
| United Kingdom | The Children's Channel, ITV, Cartoonito, Channel 5 (Milkshake! block) | |
| Canada (French) | TFO | Barney |
| Italy | Italia 1, JimJam | |
| Philippines | TV5 | |
| South Africa (Afrikaans) | SABC 2 | |
| Latin America | Claro TV, Discovery Kids, MGM Family, ZAZ, Oznoz | Barney y sus Amigos |
| Spain | Telecinco, La 2, Clan | |
| United States (Spanish) | Vme Kids, V-me | |
| Cyprus | RIK 2 | Ο Μπάρνι και οι φίλοι του |
| Greece | Star Channel, Alter Channel | |
| Arab World | Spacetoon, OSN Kidzone, Ajyal TV, MBC 3 | بارني والأصدقاء |
| Albania | Bang Bang | Barni dhe Shokët e Tij |
| Çufo | Barni dhe Miqtë | |
| Azerbaijan | ANS TV | Barni və dostları |
| Brazil | Discovery Kids, TV Cultura, TV Brasil, Rede Globo, SBT | Barney e Seus Amigos |
| Czech Republic | JimJam | Barney a přátelé |
| Germany | Super RTL, RTL, SWR Fernsehen, JimJam, Oznoz | Barney und seine Freunde |
| Hong Kong (Cantonese) | JimJam, ATV World | 恐龍仔班尼 |
| Hungary | JimJam | Barney és barátai |
| Iceland | Stöð 2 | Barney og vinir |
| Israel | JimJam, Cellcom TV | החברים של ברני |
| Japan | Kids Station, Playhouse Disney | バーニー&フレンズ |
| Netherlands | JimJam | Barney en zijn Vriendjes |
| Poland | Polsat JimJam | Barney i przyjaciele |
| Portugal | JimJam | Barney e os Seus Amigos |
| Romania | JimJam | Barney şi prietenii săi |
| Russia | JimJam | Барни и друзья |
| Singapore (Mandarin) | SBC, Playhouse Disney | 巴尼与朋友 |
| South Korea | EBS | 바니와 친구들 |
| Taiwan | MOMO Kids, YoYo TV | 小博士邦尼 |
| Thailand | PGTV, Playhouse Disney | บาร์นี |
| Turkey | TRT Çocuk, Minika Çocuk | Barney ve Arkadaşları |
| Vietnam | HTV7 | Barney Và Các Bạn |