PBS Kids

The PBS Kids Girl, "Dot," and Boy, "Dash," logo.

First official kids ident from PBS, used from 1993-1999 featuring the P pals.

PBS Kids (often styled all-caps as "PBS KIDS") is the umbrella brand for children's programming aired by the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States. As with all PBS programming, PBS Kids programming is non-commercial.

PBS KIDS was a separate television network founded on September 6, 1999 and was targeted at children aged 3-17 years. The PBS Kids Channel was running for six years and was largely paid for by DirecTV, which decided not to renew its licensing deal. The channel ceased operation on October 1, 2005, in favor of a new joint commercial venture, PBS Kids Sprout, which is a partnership owned in part by Comcast (40%). Some stations (such as WNET and TPT) still program a PBS Kids channel themselves.

PBS Kids girl, "Dot"^[1]

PBS Kids boy, "Dash"^[2]

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service

Programming Blocks

PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch

In September 2000, PBS Kids launched PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch which featured: Corduroy, George Shrinks, Elliot Moose, Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse, Seven Little Monsters, and Timothy Goes to School . This block of programming was discontinued in September 2004 after several of its shows ceased production.

PBS Kids GO!

In October 2004, PBS Kids launched PBS Kids GO! which features: Arthur and Cyberchase. Maya and Miguel, Postcards From Buster (aired here until May 21, 2007 when it was replaced by Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman) and WordGirl.

The PBS Kids GO! Logo

Miss Lori and Hooper

In September 2006, PBS Kids launched Miss Lori and Hooper, a preschool-themed block which airs weekday mornings and features Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales, and Super Why! (replaced It's a Big Big World, an original member of the block.)

Special Programing

Vote-A-Rama

In September 2002, PBS Kids introduced "Vote-A-Rama". Children could vote online for their favorite episode of a show out of four choices, or their favorite episode of different shows on a particular theme. On some PBS stations, this feature is referred to as "Kids' Picks".

Pet-Tacular

On September 1 2003, PBS Kids introduced Clifford's Puppy Days with their "Pet-Tacular" block. It included two episodes of Arthur, and two new episodes of Clifford's Puppy Days, and was introduced by three Zoom Members, Aline, Mike, and Shing Ying.

Share a Story Talent Show

In May 2004 and September 2004, PBS Kids ran a block of programming centered around the theme of storytelling. This block featured episodes of Arthur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cyberchase, and Dragon Tales. Visit http://www.pbskids.org/talentshow/ for this program's website.

Big Big Friend Day

On November 25, 2005, PBS Kids introduced It's a Big Big World with this promotional block, which featured two episodes of Dragon Tales and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Visit http://www.pbskids.org/bigbigfriendday/ for this program's website.

Share the Earth Day

On April 21, 2006, PBS Kids aired a block of programming in honor of Earth Day, featuring some episodes of Dragon Tales, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and It's a Big Big World. On Friday April 20, 2007, PBS Kids aired another Earth-Day-themed block with Miss Lori and Hooper. Visit http://www.pbskids.org/earthday/ for this program's website.

Friend Day

In 2006, PBS Kids instituted an annual Friend Day, broadcast on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and featuring programming centered around the themes of friendship and keeping in touch. The 2006 Friend Day was the first PBS Kids special to be hosted by Miss Lori and Hooper. The 2007 Friend Day featured episodes of Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales, and Super Why! Visit http://www.pbskids.org/friendday/ for this program's website.

Others

Other specials include Cyberchase: My Big Idea, Fetch-a-Thon, George to George, Come Fly with Dragon Tales, Piggley Wiggly Party, Arthur and Buster's Thanksgiving Spectacular, WordGirl Go-riffic Marathon, and more.

List of programs broadcast by PBS Kids

• 3-2-1 Contact
• Angelina Ballerina
• Anne of Green Gables
• Arthur
• Barney & Friends
• The Berenstain Bears
• Between the Lions
• Big Comfy Couch
• Bob the Builder
• Boohbah
• Brian Jacques's Redwall
• Caillou
• Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Clifford's Puppy Days
• Corduroy
• Curious George
• Cyberchase
• Danger Rangers
• Design Squad
• DragonflyTV
• Dragon Tales
• Elliot Moose
• Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman
• Franny's Feet
• George Shrinks
• It's a Big Big World
• Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane
• Liberty's Kids
• Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies
• Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse
• Maya & Miguel
• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
• Make Way for Noddy
• Martha Speaks
• PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch
• Peep and the Big Wide World
• Postcards from Buster
• Reading Rainbow
• Saddle Club
• Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat
• Sesame Street
• Seven Little Monsters
• Super Why!
• Teletubbies
• Thomas and Friends
• Timothy Goes to School
• Wishbone
• WordGirl
• Word World
• Zoboomafoo
• ZOOM

Mottos

• Use your imagination, PBS Kids and You!
• Imagine the possibilities, PBS Kids and You!
• Be more PBS Kids, be more (insert PBS Station)

Title name puns

• Pet-Tacular is a portmanteau between pet and spectacular.
• Between the Lions: the title itself is a twofold pun. One part is a play on the phrase "between the lines", and a second part is that many classic library buildings have statues of lions, one on either side of the main entrance. Thus in order to enter the library, you must go "between the lions".

References

1. ^ Dot's name: Primal Screen - Go to The Work, then Network Branding, then PBS Kids on the list at the left. The (rather brief) information on the Weather loop shows that the girl's name is Dot.
2. ^ Dash's name: About Miss Lori and Hooper - look at the bottom of the page

External links

• The official PBS KIDS website