Kika (currently stylised as KiKA, formerly as KI.KA; formally Der Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF, transl. The Children's Channel of ARD and ZDF) is a German free-to-air television channel based in Erfurt, Germany. It is managed by a joint venture by public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF. Its intended audience is children and the youth, devoid of advertising, and it is generally watched by children 3 to 13. The MDR is responsible for its playout.