On December 17, 2013, Steve Rotfeld Productions announced that it would launch a two-hour syndicated block of live-action educational programs under the working titleXploration Nation, with Fox Television Stations and Tribune Broadcasting initially set to carry the block across their respective Fox owned-and-operated and affiliated stations. The block, aimed towards teenagers between 13 and 16 years of age, features programs focused on the STEM fields – such as marine biology, astronomy, and animal science. Production on one of the four shows, Xploration Outer Space, began in April 2014. The block, by then renamed Xploration Station, premiered on September 13, 2014. On Fox owned and operated stations, Xploration Station replaced Weekend Marketplace, a two-hour block of infomercials first introduced in January 2009 following the discontinuation of 4Kids TV due to conflicts between Fox and the block's programmer 4Kids Entertainment. On January 20, 2015, Fox Television Stations renewed the block for the group's Fox owned-and-operated stations through 2017. The block was made available worldwide with the pick up of non-US distribution by Boat Rocker Rights in February 2016. One of the more notable holdouts for Xploration Station in its first two seasons was Fox's largest affiliate group, Sinclair Broadcast Group. In September 2016, when Sinclair began to carry Xploration Station on their Fox stations and two other Sinclair stations associated with a netlet under a five-year agreement with Steve Rotfeld Productions. While Rotfeld Productions added another hour, or two series, to the block. Also with the third season starting September 10, 2016, Xploration Station returned 3 shows and adding 3 new shows.
Programming
Current
Xploration Awesome Planet : Hosted by Philippe Cousteau Jr., this series features a detailed look at earth science and geology.
Xploration DIY Sci, also called DIY Sci, : A pop-science series featuring the host, Steve Spangler, creating experiments using everyday items. AB Groupe carries the show in France.
Xploration: Nature Knows Best : Marine biologist Danni Washington hosts this show about nature based technological advancements. AB Groupe carries the show in France while AMC in Central and Eastern Europe does.
Xploration Outer Space This series focuses on various aspects of the space industry, including technology, the prospects of a human mission to Mars, and the growing space tourism industry. The program is hosted and produced by Emily Calandrelli, who was scouted by Steve Rotfeld from her YouTube productions for West Virginia University's engineering college. The program was picked up by AB Groupe in France and AMC in Central and Eastern Europe in June 2017.
Weird But True A co-production of Rotfeld Production and National Geographic Kids and is based on the magazine's most popular fun-facts feature and book series.
Countdown to Apollo 8 episodes of 30 minutes length
Former
Xploration Animal Science – This program was originally broadcast in syndication in 2012, and was retooled for broadcast as part of Xploration Station.
FabLab, became part of the Xploration Station programming block in early 2016 as an apparent mid-season replacement for Animal Science. The show has 4 hosts, 3 girls as it is focused toward female tween and teens.
