DR Ramasjang
Sub-brand
UnclaimedA Danish public-service children's media brand operated by DR, centered on the DR Ramasjang television channel and related digital, event and educational content.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
DR Ramasjang is a Danish public-service children's media brand operated by Danmarks Radio, commonly known as DR. It is best known as a dedicated children's television channel, but the Ramasjang name also covers a broader cross-media universe of Danish-language programmes, characters, games, audio, streaming content, mobile experiences and live events. The brand was created as part of DR's expansion of its digital television portfolio and began broadcasting on 1 November 2009. The channel was initially designed for children from approximately three to ten years old, with particular emphasis on the seven-to-ten age group. Its early schedule combined Danish-produced programmes with acquired international children's content, films, animation, magazine formats, music, games and event programming. Imported programmes were generally dubbed into Danish, supporting the channel's role in strengthening access to children's content in the Danish language. The name “Ramasjang” refers to a lively disturbance, commotion or festive hullabaloo in Danish, signalling the brand's energetic and playful tone. DR's original plans for a children's service were developed during the broadcaster's preparation for Denmark's media settlement in the mid-2000s. The children's service was initially considered alongside a proposed history or culture channel, with the two services potentially sharing a television frequency at different times of day. By 2009, DR had separated the concepts and announced DR Ramasjang as an independent children's channel. The channel launched alongside other DR digital services and was distributed through terrestrial television, satellite, cable and internet platforms. A major strategic change took place in 2013, when DR reorganised its youth offering and introduced DR Ultra for older children. Following that change, Ramasjang increasingly concentrated on younger viewers, while DR Ultra served a more mature school-age audience. Descriptions of the target audience have varied over time and by platform, but the brand is generally associated with preschool and early-primary children. DR has also developed DR Minisjang for very young children, creating a broader age-segmented family of children's services. Ramasjang's positioning is grounded in public-service media rather than commercial children's merchandising. The brand emphasizes Danish language, local culture, participation, imagination, social inclusion and safe shared experiences for children and parents. Its content portfolio includes original fiction, animation, factual and educational programmes, presenters, puppetry, music, competitions, games and adaptations of international series. Recognisable programmes and properties associated with the brand include John Dillermand, MGP-related children's music programming, Danish versions of international series such as Barbapapa and Peppa Pig, and a range of recurring Ramasjang characters and presenter-led formats. The brand has been deliberately extended beyond linear television. DR's Ramasjang services have included an online destination, streaming access through DRTV, games, podcasts, competitions and mobile applications designed for children and families. DR has also used live events to bring presenters, characters and programme concepts into public spaces. These activities help position Ramasjang as an interconnected children's universe rather than simply a television channel. DR Ramasjang remains an active Danish public-service brand. Its principal market is Denmark, while DR's children's channels may also be available in the Faroe Islands and Greenland through public or affiliated distribution networks. The brand has no separately listed corporation, public stock ticker or independently reported commercial ownership structure; it forms part of DR's publicly funded broadcasting portfolio.
History
DR Ramasjang emerged from DR's effort to broaden its public-service offer through new digital television channels. In 2005, DR began developing proposals for a dedicated children's service in preparation for Denmark's changing media framework. The initiative was part of a wider plan that also involved additional cultural, high-definition and youth-oriented services. During the policy discussions preceding the 2006 media settlement, the children's service was at one point expected to share daytime broadcasting capacity with a history-focused channel. DR subsequently separated the concepts and developed Ramasjang as its own branded children's channel. The name DR Ramasjang was publicly presented in March 2009. DR described the planned service as a channel for children roughly three to ten years old, with particular attention to viewers aged seven to ten. The brand name was chosen from the Danish word “ramasjang,” meaning a noisy, lively or festive commotion. The identity therefore connected the channel with energy, play and imaginative disorder rather than with a formal educational tone. Before the launch, DR consolidated much of its children's production activity in Aarhus. Signe Lindkvist, a well-known figure in Danish children's television, was appointed channel editor in 2008. DR Ramasjang launched on 1 November 2009 and was distributed through Denmark's digital terrestrial television system as well as satellite, cable and online services. The channel's original broadcast schedule covered much of the day, generally from the early morning until the evening. Its programming combined Danish productions, animation, acquired films, music, magazine shows, games and special events. International programmes were commonly dubbed into Danish, reinforcing the channel's public-service role for children who were still developing reading skills. The service also became associated with major children's events and entertainment properties. MGP, DR's children's music competition, and related MGP Nordic programming were among the recurring event-based offerings connected to the children's portfolio. Ramasjang additionally carried or supported special broadcasts, seasonal programming and live experiences that allowed children to encounter presenters and characters outside the television screen. These activities helped establish the brand as a shared cultural space for children rather than merely a schedule of programmes. In March 2013, DR adjusted the structure of its youth services by launching DR Ultra for older children. The change moved part of the previous Ramasjang audience and programme offer toward a separate service aimed at school-age viewers. Ramasjang consequently developed a stronger focus on younger children, although public descriptions of its exact age range have differed between periods and platforms. This segmentation later formed part of a wider DR children's ecosystem that also included DR Minisjang for toddlers and preschool-aged children. Ramasjang's digital development became increasingly important. DR created an online universe around the brand where children and parents could find programmes, games, competitions, podcasts and interactive material. Public-service reporting from the early 2010s noted that the digital service was being adapted for tablets and other mobile devices as families changed how they accessed children's content. Academic analysis of the brand has described Ramasjang as a cross-media universe linking television, websites, applications and live appearances. The approach allows recurring characters and formats to move between screens and physical events while preserving a common Danish-language identity. The brand's editorial model is shaped by DR's public-service obligations. Rather than relying on commercial licensing as its primary purpose, Ramasjang is intended to provide accessible content reflecting Danish language, culture and children's everyday experiences. It combines entertainment with learning, creativity, participation and social development. Original series and recurring presenters sit alongside Danish versions of international properties, allowing the service to offer breadth while maintaining a local linguistic environment. In 2021, the series John Dillermand generated controversy. The programme's comic premise revolves around a man whose unusually long penis causes problems and is used as a tool in absurd situations. Critics argued that the character was inappropriate for children and could communicate an unhelpful message during public debate about sexual boundaries and gender. The controversy became one of the most visible disputes associated with the Ramasjang brand. It also illustrated the editorial tensions involved in producing children's comedy that uses bodily humour and deliberately uncomfortable premises. DR Ramasjang remains an active brand within DR's television, streaming and digital portfolio. Its principal audience is in Denmark, although DR's public channels can also be distributed in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The brand is not a separately incorporated or publicly traded company; it is a branded service operated by DR and supported through the broadcaster's public-service structure.
- 2021
John Dillermand controversy
[4]The claymation series John Dillermand prompted national debate about bodily humour, children's media and appropriate representations for young audiences.
- 2014
The DR Ramasjang radio service ends
[7]A radio service using the Ramasjang name, which had operated alongside the television brand, ceased broadcasting at the end of 2014.
- 2013
DR Ultra launches and Ramasjang refocuses on younger children
[1]DR divided its children's offer by creating DR Ultra for older children and directing Ramasjang more strongly toward younger viewers.
- 2012
Digital Ramasjang services broaden
[3]DR described the Ramasjang online universe as including programmes, games, competitions, audio and interactive features, while work continued to improve access through tablets and other devices.
- 2009
The Ramasjang name is announced
[1]DR publicly presented the DR Ramasjang name and its intended children's audience in March 2009.
- 2009
DR Ramasjang launches
[1]The channel began broadcasting on 1 November 2009 through Denmark's digital television infrastructure and related distribution platforms.
- 2008
Signe Lindkvist appointed channel editor
[1]Signe Lindkvist was appointed to lead the developing children's channel during the preparation period before launch.
- 2006
Children's programming included in Denmark's media-settlement planning
[1]The media settlement envisaged a children's service as part of DR's expanded television structure, initially alongside a proposed history-focused channel.
- 2005
DR develops plans for a dedicated children's channel
[1]DR began developing proposals for a children's television service as part of broader planning for new digital and thematic public-service channels.
Products and positioning
A Danish public-service children's media brand combining locally produced programming, Danish-language versions of international content, animation, films, music, games, streaming and children's events. Its editorial identity emphasizes play, imagination, Danish language and culture, participation, inclusion and a safe shared media environment for children and families.
Broadcast television · 2009
DR Ramasjang television channel
The core Ramasjang service is a Danish-language public-service children's television channel launched in 2009. It carries original Danish series, animation, films, magazine shows, music, competitions, special events and dubbed international programmes. Its target audience was originally described as children aged approximately three to ten, with a later strategic emphasis on younger children after DR launched DR Ultra for older viewers.
Streaming and video on demand
Ramasjang on DRTV
Ramasjang content is also distributed through DR's DRTV platform, allowing children and families to watch selected programmes and channel content on demand or through online channel access. The streaming presence extends the brand beyond scheduled terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcasting.
Children's digital media
Ramasjang digital universe
The digital Ramasjang universe has included games, competitions, podcasts, interactive features, programme information and child-oriented online experiences. It is designed to connect television characters and formats with activities that children can access through websites, mobile devices and applications.
Children's music and live-event programming
MGP and MGP Nordic programming
MGP is DR's children's music competition and one of the most recognisable event-oriented properties associated with its children's media portfolio. The programming gives children opportunities to perform, vote and participate in a televised national music event, with related Nordic programming extending the format across the region.
Animated children's series · 2021
John Dillermand
John Dillermand is a claymation series built around an adult character whose unusually long penis creates comic and practical complications. The programme became a prominent example of Ramasjang's willingness to use surreal bodily humour, but it also generated substantial criticism and public debate about suitability and messaging in children's television.
Acquired children's programming
Danish-dubbed international children's programmes
Ramasjang has carried Danish-language versions of international children's properties, including programmes such as Barbapapa and Peppa Pig. Dubbing makes international animation and preschool content accessible to children who may not yet be fluent readers, while fitting the channel's Danish-language public-service identity.
Children's events and experiential media
Ramasjang live events
DR has used live events to bring Ramasjang presenters, characters and programme concepts into communities outside the television screen. These activities can include performances, participatory games and public appearances, reinforcing the brand's role as a shared children's universe.
Radio · 2009
DR Ramasjang radio
DR previously operated a radio service using the Ramasjang name. The radio operation ran from the television brand's launch in 2009 until the end of 2014 and is no longer active.
Controversies
2021
John Dillermand content controversy
John Dillermand attracted criticism because its central comic premise involves a character with an unusually long penis. Critics argued that the concept was unsuitable or sent an inappropriate message to children, especially amid wider public debate about sexualisation and gender norms. The dispute became one of the most visible controversies connected with DR Ramasjang.
Marketing campaigns
- MGP
Denmark
MGP is DR's recurring children's music-event property, connecting televised performances, audience participation and music competition with the broader DR children's portfolio. It is one of the most prominent recurring event formats associated with Ramasjang and DR's youth services.
Outcome. The format became a recurring national children's media event and was complemented by Nordic-related programming.
- Ramasjang live children's events
Denmark
DR has organised events in different parts of Denmark where children could meet Ramasjang presenters and characters, take part in activities and experience the brand outside the home-viewing environment.
Outcome. The events strengthened direct relationships between the brand, children, families and local communities.
Brand decisions
2021
Broadcast of John DillermandProduct launchBackground
DR continued to commission distinctive original children's content using comic and surreal concepts.
Action taken
Ramasjang broadcast the claymation series John Dillermand, centred on a character whose unusually long penis causes comic problems.
Aftermath
The programme generated national debate about children's comedy, bodily humour, gender and editorial responsibility.
2013
Audience segmentation through DR UltraStrategyBackground
DR's original children's channel served a broad age range, but the broadcaster wanted a clearer separation between younger children and older school-age viewers.
Action taken
DR introduced DR Ultra for older children and repositioned Ramasjang toward younger viewers.
Aftermath
Ramasjang developed a more preschool and early-primary identity, while DR Ultra became the principal service for older children.
2012
Expansion of the Ramasjang digital universeStrategyBackground
Children and families were increasingly accessing media through websites, tablets and other connected devices rather than only through scheduled television.
Action taken
DR developed online Ramasjang services containing programme access, games, competitions, podcasts and interactive features, while working to improve compatibility with newer devices.
Aftermath
The Ramasjang brand became a cross-media service linking television content with digital play and participation.
2009
Launch of DR RamasjangProduct launchBackground
DR sought to expand its public-service offer with a dedicated children's television service as part of a wider move into digital thematic channels.
Action taken
DR launched DR Ramasjang on 1 November 2009 with a Danish-language schedule aimed initially at children aged approximately three to ten.
Aftermath
The channel became the central television brand in DR's children's portfolio and was later extended through online services, streaming, applications and live events.
Sources7 sources
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