PBS Kids (stylized in all caps) formerly PTV 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,[1] 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.
History
PTV block
PBS had historically aired programs for children such as Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and Reading Rainbow; prior to 1993, these programs aired under general PBS branding. In August 1993, PBS introduced new branding for their children's programs featuring the "P-Pals", animated characters shaped like the PBS "P-head" logo who encouraged skills such as gathering information, self-esteem, cooperation and achieving goals in specially developed interstitials.
The framework for PBS Kids was established as part of PBS' "Ready to Learn" initiative, a project intended to facilitate access of early childhood educational programming to underprivileged children.[2] On July 11, 1994, PBS repackaged their existing children's educational programming as a new block titled "PTV", airing on 11 member stations at launch.[3][4] In addition to scheduled educational programming, PTV also incorporated interstitial content with the P-Pals in their fictional world "PTV Park" for younger children.[3]
Programming
For list of all PBS Kids programs, see List of programs broadcast by PBS Kids.
Programming blocks
Critical reception
PBS Kids programming has historically received generally positive reviews from television critics and parents of young children. L.A. Story (a division of Blogspot) wrote, "Great for any little explorer!"[51] Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "Best children's entertainment available".[52] Valerie Williams of Scary Mommy wrote, "A wonderful gift".[53] Steve Aquino of Forbes wrote, "Making learning accessible in the coronavirus age".[54]
24/7 network
The PBS Kids Channel (also known as PBS Kids 24/7) is an American digital broadcast and FAST 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.[55] Some PBS member stations, most notably KLCS 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.
The PBS Kids Channel has had two iterations in the age of digital television; one which existed between 1999 and 2005, and the current version which was launched in 2017.
Network history
Original channel (1999–2005)
External links
References
- PBS KIDS PBS KIDS for Parents, retrieved January 18, 2022^
- Amy Chozick. PBS Takes On the Premium Channels The New York Times, January 1, 2012, retrieved January 2, 2015^
- Karen Everhart Bedford. Goal for Ready to Learn: engage kids and parents