US public broadcaster PBS will launch new 24/7 children’s services later this year, called PBS Kids.
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. 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. Across digital platforms, PBS Kids averages 419.8 million streams per month.
“Parents know that PBS Kids makes a difference in their children’s lives, which is why so many have said they would value having access to our content throughout the day. Television continues to be the most widely used platform for children’s educational content, especially among low-income families,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger.
“The new PBS Kids 24/7 channel and live stream offered by local member stations ensure that educational media is available to all families, all the time and via a platform that works for them. Given that 54% of all children nationwide do not have the opportunity to attend preschool, providing access is a critical element of our public service mission.”
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.
(picture © 2016 The Fred Rogers Company)
