PBS Kids facts for kids
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The PBS Kids logo used since 2022.
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| Network | PBS |
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| Launched | August 30, 1993 (PTV) September 6, 1999 (as PBS Kids) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Formerly known as | PTV (1993–99) |
PBS Kids is the brand for children's shows on the American public television network, PBS. You can watch these shows in a few different ways. Most local PBS stations air a block of PBS Kids shows during the day. There is also a special 24-hour channel called the PBS Kids Channel. Plus, you can find shows and games on the PBS Kids website and app.
The shows on PBS Kids are made for children between the ages of 2 and 8. They are designed to be educational and fun, mixing cartoons and live-action series. Many of these programs help kids get ready for school through the "Ready-to-Learn" project. This project is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The PBS Kids brand started in 1999. Before that, it was known as PTV. When PBS Kids launched, it brought new energy and more funding for children's programming. Over the years, PBS has partnered with other companies, like Sesame Workshop, to create channels for kids. In 2017, PBS brought back its own 24-hour kids' channel, which is still running today.
The Story of PBS Kids
Before PBS Kids: PTV
PBS has always been a home for famous children's shows like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Before 1993, these shows just aired with the regular PBS logo.
In 1993, PBS created a special brand for its kids' shows called PTV. This new look featured animated characters called the "P-Pals." They were shaped like the PBS logo and appeared in short clips between shows. The P-Pals encouraged kids to learn, feel good about themselves, and work together.
This was part of a big project called "Ready to Learn." The goal was to make sure all kids, especially those in need, could watch high-quality educational shows. By 1996, most PBS stations were using the PTV brand for their children's programming.
The Birth of PBS Kids
In 1999, PBS decided to give its children's programming a major update. On September 6, 1999, the PTV block was officially replaced by PBS Kids. This came with a fresh new look, including a bright green logo with two cartoon mascots, a boy named Dash and a girl named Dot.
The new brand was designed to be all about "imagination, thinking and using your head." PBS also invested more money into creating new shows for kids. The PBS Kids website was also updated with new games and activities.
In 2022, the brand got another new look. The logo is now a bright blue circle with the classic PBS Kids name in green and white. While the mascot Dash is no longer used, new customizable cartoon characters appear in promos to represent the diverse audience of kids watching.
Special Blocks for Different Ages
For a while, PBS Kids had special programming blocks for different age groups.
From 2004 to 2013, there was a block called PBS Kids Go!. It aired in the afternoon and was aimed at elementary school kids, ages 6 to 8. It featured shows that were a bit more grown-up than the preschool shows.
PBS decided to stop using the PBS Kids Go! brand in 2013. They found that kids of all ages were watching shows from both the preschool and elementary school blocks. So, they decided to bring everything back together under the main PBS Kids brand.
How to Watch PBS Kids
Streaming and On-Demand Video
As more people started watching shows online, PBS made it easier to stream its kids' content. In 2008, the PBS Kids Go! video player was launched on the website. It offered clips and full episodes of popular shows.
This grew into the PBS Kids Video app, which was released in 2011. The app is free and is the main place to stream PBS Kids shows. You can watch video clips, full episodes, and even a live stream of the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel.
PBS Kids shows are also available on other streaming services. In 2016, many shows moved to Amazon Prime Video. You can also find older shows like Reading Rainbow and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on a free channel called PBS Retro on The Roku Channel.
International Channels
PBS Kids shows are also available in other countries. PBS works with partners to offer a PBS Kids channel and streaming service to families around the world. For example, PBS Kids launched in parts of Africa in 2019 and in Australia in 2021, though these channels are no longer on the air.
The 24/7 PBS Kids Channel
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| Type | Digital broadcast TV network (children's programming) |
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| Country | United States, Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide (via OTA digital television) |
| Affiliates | List of affiliates |
| Headquarters | Crystal City, Virginia, U.S. |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) (some affiliates transmit PBS Kids programming in 1080i 16:9 and 720p 16:9) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | PBS |
| History | |
| Founded | January 18, 1999 (original) February 23, 2016 (revival) |
| Launched | September 6, 1999 (original) January 16, 2017 (revival) |
| Closed | September 26, 2005 (original) |
| Replaced by | PBS Kids Sprout (original) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | PBS Kids Live TV |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s) | DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Prime Video Live TV, Samsung TV Plus, YouTube TV |
The PBS Kids Channel (also known as PBS Kids 24/7) is a TV network that airs children's shows all day, every day. It features a mix of cartoons and live-action shows that help young kids learn about reading, math, and getting along with others.
Many local PBS stations broadcast this channel on one of their digital subchannels. This means you can often watch it for free with an antenna.
The First Channel (1999-2005)
The original PBS Kids Channel launched in 1999. It was created to give kids a place to watch educational shows 24 hours a day. It was meant to be an alternative to other kids' channels like Nick Jr..
However, the channel wasn't as successful as hoped. In 2005, PBS decided to shut it down. They then partnered with other companies to launch a new channel called PBS Kids Sprout. Sprout was supported by commercials and was available on cable and satellite TV.
The New Channel (2017-Present)
After a few years, PBS saw that many families wanted a 24/7 channel with their trusted, commercial-free shows. On January 16, 2017, PBS relaunched the PBS Kids Channel.
This new version is available on the digital subchannels of many local PBS stations. It also has a free live stream on the PBS Kids website and app. This means anyone with an internet connection can watch, even if their local station doesn't carry the channel.
The channel often shows different programs than the main PBS station at the same time. This gives kids more options for what to watch. On weekends, the channel has a special block called PBS Kids Family Night. It features movies and themed episodes of popular shows.
See also
In Spanish: PBS Kids para niños
