PBS Kids is the brand for children's programming aired by the Public Broadcasting Service in
the United States airing as a programming block since July 11, 1994.
It is directly aimed at children between the ages of 2–7 years old.
History The framework for PBS Kids was established
as part of PBS's "Ready to Learn" initiative, a project intended to increase the amount
of educational programming children were exposed to.
On July 11, 1994 PBS repackaged their existing children's educational programming as a new
block called "PTV".
In addition to scheduled educational programming, PTV also incorporated interstitial content
such as "The P-Pals", which featured animated characters delivering educational content
from their fictional world, "PTV Park".
These interstitial shorts were aimed at younger children.
Older children were targeted with live action and music video interstitials.
On September 5, 1999 the PTV brand was retired.
Children's programming on the PBS network was then rebranded with the introduction of
new bumpers, idents, and promos appeared for the first time at 7:00 a.m.
ET on September 6, 1999.
Along with the block of programming on PBS, the PBS Kids brand lent its name to a separate
television network, which also launched on September 6, 1999 and was targeted to children
from 4- to 7-years-old.
The PBS Kids Channel ran for six years and was largely funded by El Segundo, California-based
satellite provider DirecTV.
The channel shut down on September 24, 2005, in favor of a new commercial cable and satellite
joint venture, PBS Kids Sprout, which was developed in partnership with Comcast who
later bought full control of the network via NBCUniversal.
About half of PBS's member stations still operate their own children's channels as multicasting
services.
PBS Kids programming on PBS is now split into two sub-blocks: PBS Kids Go! and the PBS Kids
Preschool Block.
The former block, PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch, debuted in 2000 and ended in 2004.
On May 8, 2013, PBS Kids programming was added to the Roku streaming player.
On May 15, 2013, PBS Kids announced that Thomas & Friends, which had aired mainly on weekends
on most PBS stations, would be moving to the daily schedule starting on October 7, 2013,
due to an increase in ratings.
Programming Current programming
The following PBS Kids programs are in production and air on PBS stations or are available for
streaming online.
Programs from both the PBS Kids Preschool Block and the now-defunct PBS Kids Go! are
listed because these programs are also part of the PBS Kids brand.
Upcoming Programs Odd Squad
Rerunning Programs NOTE: These programs are no longer in production
and run only on PBS stations that select them.
Therefore, the programs may vary on every station.
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps Barney and Friends
Between the Lions Bob the Builder
The Berenstain Bears Caillou
Clifford the Big Red Dog Cyberchase
The Electric Company Fetch!
with Ruff Ruffman Maya & Miguel
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood SciGirls
Sid the Science Kid Super Why!
Wishbone Zoboomafoo
Blocks PBS Kids Preschool Block
Former programming The following programs are no longer in production,
although some of them may still air in reruns on other channels.
Blocks PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch
PBS Kids Go!
References
External links Official website
The official play website