PBS Kids
Logo since 2022 | |
| Network | PBS |
|---|---|
| Launched | August 30, 1993 (PTV) September 6, 1999 (as PBS Kids) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Formerly known as | PTV (1993–99) |
| Official website | pbskids.org |
PBS Kids (stylized in all caps) is the branding used for nationally distributed children's programming carried by the U.S. public television network PBS. The brand encompasses a daytime block of children's programming carried daily by most PBS member stations, a 24-hour channel carried on the digital subchannels of PBS member stations (sometimes called the PBS Kids Channel or PBS Kids 24/7), and its accompanying digital platforms.
PBS Kids programming typically targets children between the ages of 2 and 8, with a focus on live-action and animated series featuring educational and informative (E/I) components; some of its programs were developed under grants with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as part of PBS and CPB's "Ready-to-Learn" initiative. From 2004 to 2013, a late-afternoon sub-block known as PBS Kids Go! broadcast programming targeting elementary school-aged viewers 6 to 8; the brand was discontinued in 2013 to focus more on the main PBS Kids brand.
PBS Kids was first introduced in 1999, succeeding a precursor—PTV—which was first introduced in 1993 on selected PBS stations as a blanket branding for the network's array of existing children's programming (such as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street). The introduction of PBS Kids coincided with a larger investment into children's programming by the organization, and a PBS Kids channel that would be distributed via a mixture of cable, satellite, and digital terrestrial television platforms. However, the channel proved unsuccessful and shut down in 2005.
From 2005 to 2013, PBS partnered with Comcast, HIT Entertainment, and Sesame Workshop to operate an ad-supported cable network known as PBS Kids Sprout; Comcast would later acquire the network outright in 2013 via its NBCUniversal division. PBS Kids would later relaunch its 24-hour channel in 2017, operating via digital terrestrial television and streaming.
The PBS Kids block originally ran throughout the morning and afternoon on the network's national schedule; in February 2023, the block was cut from 13 to 8 hours per-day, citing shifts towards PBS Kids' digital platforms, as well as member stations who had cut back on the block to schedule more afternoon programming targeting adult viewers.
Programming
For list of all PBS Kids programs, see List of programs broadcast by PBS Kids.
Programming blocks
Current
- PBS Kids Family Night (April 21, 2017[1] – present) – an evening programming block on the PBS Kids
Channel airing encores of PBS Kids films and specials, and themed mini-marathons, typically from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time during the weekends[2] (formerly also on Fridays[3]). Exclusive to the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel.
Former
- The Game (October 7, 1996 – September 6, 1999) – an afternoon PTV programming block aimed at elementary school children.[4]
- PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch (September 30, 2000 – September 5, 2004) – a Saturday morning block consisting of six animated series co-produced by the Canada-based studio, Nelvana Limited.[5]
- PBS Kids Go! (October 11, 2004 – October 7, 2013) – an afternoon programming block aimed at elementary school children.[6][7]
- PBS Kids Preschool Block (September 4, 2006 – October 7, 2013) – a morning programming block aimed at preschool children.[8][9]
24/7 network
The PBS Kids Channel (also known as PBS Kids 24/7) is an American digital broadcast and online television network operated by the Public Broadcasting Service. The network features a broad mix of live action and animated children's programs distributed to PBS by independent companies and select member stations, which are designed for improving the early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills of young children ages 3 to 9. Some PBS member stations, most notably KLCS & KVCR in Los Angeles and WDCQ-TV in Bad Axe, Michigan, maintain their own locally programmed PBS Kids feed that is independent from the nationally sourced feed.
References
- ↑ "PBS Will Launch Family Night on New PBS Kids Channel". variety.com. January 15, 2017. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ↑ Elliott, Belinda (12 February 2024). "WHRO - Don't Miss PBS Kids Family Night Every Saturday & Sunday". whro.org. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ↑ "PBS Kids Family Nights - AZPM". www.azpm.org. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ↑ "Current.org | PBS shows for older kids". current.org. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ↑ Everhart Bedford, Karen (July 31, 2000). "Better Saturday competition seen for the kids audience". Current. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ↑ Egner, Jeremy (April 3, 2006). "World and Go! streams flow into PBS plans". Current. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- ↑ "PBS Kids Go! goes bye-bye as colorful branding revamp rolls out to stations". Current.org. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ Downey, Kevin (November 4, 2006). "Meet Miss Lori". Broadcasting Cable. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ↑ "PBS KIDS Selects First-Ever Host of New Preschool Block". About PBS - Main. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.