Daniel Tiger PBS Kids

PBS Kids Will Launch New MultiPlatform Service in 2016

PBS, the nation’s most trusted provider of educational media for children, today announced that it will launch new 24/7 children’s services later this year. Provided by local stations, the free services include a new TV channel and live stream on digital platforms. PBS stations across the nation will be able to broadcast PBS KIDS shows 24 hours a day on an additional television channel and offer a live stream, making it easy for children to watch their favorite series during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high. Viewers will be able to watch the station-branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices, tablets and over-the-top platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast.

The live stream complements on-demand clips and full episodes, which will continue to be available for free on the PBS KIDS Video App and streaming via pbskids.org. Streaming on pbskids.org accounts for nearly half of all time spent watching kids videos online, and the site is #1 in the kids category for total views and minutes spent.ⁱ Across digital platforms, PBS KIDS averages 419.8 million streams per month.ⁱⁱ

Following its initial launch, the live stream experience will expand to offer an integrated games feature, enabling children to toggle between a PBS KIDS show and an activity that extends learning – all in one seamless digital experience. The live stream and games feature is grounded in research demonstrating that measurable gains in learning are achieved when children engage with PBS KIDS content on multiple platforms. The games will align with the learning goals of each TV series, deepening children’s involvement and supporting learning.

The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular favorites, such as DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ODD SQUAD, WILD KRATTS and DINOSAUR TRAIN; the new series NATURE CAT and READY JET GO!, which debuted February 15; and SPLASH (w.t.), a series from The Jim Henson Company that will premiere in fall 2016. Stations will be able to provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel in addition to their current primary PBS channel, which will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part. The schedule of children’s programming on the primary PBS channel will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options.

The 24/7 PBS KIDS offering is an integral part of PBS’ long-term vision for its children’s service and will build on the reach and impact local stations already have in their communities, where they provide essential services for kids, parents and teachers. In the coming year, PBS and member stations will roll out a variety of additional initiatives designed to meet the needs of today’s children, including new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) content, digital innovations and customizable tools for parents and caregivers.

Source: PBS PR