PBS Kids

Not to be confused with PBS Kids Go! or Sprout (TV Network).

PBS Kids

Type	Children's programming
Country	United States Canada (via cable) Mexico (1996–1999)
Availability	Throughout North America
Founded	October 11, 1993 (as PTV) September 6, 1999 (as PBS Kids)
Broadcast area	North America
Area	North America
Owner	PBS
Key people	Jake Hollies (PBS Kids Go founder) Sara Shepard (PBS Kids founder)
Launch date	October 11, 1993 (block; as PTV) September 6, 1999 (as PBS Kids)
Dissolved	September 24, 2005 (PBS Kids Channel)
Former names	PTV Park (October 11, 1993–September 5, 1999)
Affiliation(s)	PBS
Official website	pbskids.org

PBS Kids is the brand for children's programming aired by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States airing as a programming block since October 11, 1993. It is directly aimed at children between the ages of 2–7 years old.

History

On September 5, 1999 the PTV brand was retired, along with the brand's mascots, the P-Pals. Children's programming on the PBS network was then rebranded with the introduction of new bumpers, idents, and promos (designed by Richard McGuire and produced at Lee Hunt Associates, later produced at Primal Screen) 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. An additional 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.

• Arthur (1996–present)
• Bob the Builder (2005–present)
• Caillou (2000–present)
• The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–present)
• Curious George (2006–present)
• Cyberchase (2002–present)
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (2012–present)
• Dinosaur Train (2009–present)
• Martha Speaks (2008–present)
• Peg + Cat (2013–present)
• Sesame Street (1969–present)
• Sid the Science Kid (2008–present)
• Super Why! (2007–present)
• Thomas & Friends (2004–present)
• Wild Kratts (2011–present)
• WordGirl (2007–present)

Upcomming programming

• Odd Squad
• The Jazzy Jest Show

Former programming

The following programs are no longer in production, although some of them may still air in reruns on some PBS stations or other channels.

• Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2005)
• The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1993–1999)
• Angelina Ballerina (2002–2003)
• Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009–2010)
• Animalia (2007–2009)
• Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (2000–2005)
• Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
• The Berenstain Bears (2003–2006)
• Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
• Between the Lions (2000–2010)
• Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993–1998)
• The Big Comfy Couch (1992–1998)
• Boohbah (2003–2006)
• The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998)
• Corduroy (2000–2001)
• Clifford's Puppy Days (2003–2006)
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003)
• Design Squad (2007–2009)
• The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2006)
• DragonflyTV (2002–2009)
• Dragon Tales (1999–2005)
• The Electric Company (2009–2011)
• Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
• Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2010)
• Franny's Feet (2006–2011)
• George Shrinks (2000–2006)
• Gerbert (1990s)
• Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
• Groundling Marsh (1995–2002)
• The Huggabug Club (1995–2000)
• Henry's Cat (1996–1997)
• In the Mix (1992–2003)
• It's a Big Big World (2006–2010)
• Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003–2008)
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001–2005)
• Katie and Orbie (1995–1997)
• The Kidsongs Television Show (1994–2002)
• Kratts' Creatures (1996)
• Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992–1997)
• Liberty's Kids (2002–2004)
• Lomax, the Hound of Music (2008)
• The Magic School Bus (1994–1998)
• Make Way for Noddy (2002–2010)
• Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007–2008)
• Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000–2004)
• Maya & Miguel (2004–2007)
• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001)
• Newton's Apple (1983–1999)
• Noddy (1998–2000)
• Panwapa (2008)
• PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch (programming block; 2000–2004)
• Peep and the Big Wide World (2004–2011)
• Pocoyo (2009–2013)
• Postcards from Buster (2004–2008)
• The Puzzle Place (1995–1998)
• Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
• Redwall (1999–2003)
• Rosie and Jim (1990–2000)
• The Saddle Club (2001–2011)
• Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2005)
• SciGirls (2010–2012)
• SeeMore's Playhouse (2006–2007)
• Seven Little Monsters (2000–2004)
• Shining Time Station (1989–1993)
• Signing Time (2006–2008)
• Square One Television (1987–2001)
• Storytime (1994–1997)
• Teletubbies (1998–2005)
• Theodore Tugboat (1993–2002)
• Timothy Goes to School (2000–2004)
• Toopy and Binoo (2005–2010)
• Tots TV (1993–1998)
• Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2012)
• Wimzie's House (1997–2001)
• Wishbone (1995–1998)
• WordWorld (2007–2011)
• Wunderkind Little Amadeus (2008–2009)
• Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
• ZOOM (1999 version) (1999–2006)
• The Zula Patrol (2005–2009)

External links

• Official website
• The official play website