PBS Kids

PBS Kids (stylized in all caps) 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

Logo since 2022
Network	PBS
Launched	August 30, 1993; 32 years ago (1993-08-30) (PTV) September 6, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-09-06) (as PBS Kids)
Country of origin	United States
Formerly known as	PTV (1993–99)
Official website	pbskids.org

PBS Kids programming typically targets children between the ages of 2 and 8, 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, Thomas & Friends, 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.

Programming

For list of all PBS Kids programs, see List of programs broadcast by PBS Kids.

Programming blocks

Current

• PBS Kids Family Night (April 21, 2017^[1] – present) – an evening programming block on the PBS Kids

Channel airing encores of PBS Kids films and specials, and themed mini-marathons, typically from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time during the weekends^[2] (formerly also on Fridays^[3]). Exclusive to the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel.

Former

• The Game (October 7, 1996 – September 6, 1999) – an afternoon PTV programming block aimed at elementary school children.^[4]
• PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch (September 30, 2000 – September 5, 2004) – a Saturday morning block consisting of six animated series co-produced by the Canada-based studio, Nelvana Limited.^[5]
• PBS Kids Go! (October 11, 2004 – September 16, 2019) – an afternoon programming block aimed at elementary school children.^[6][7]
• PBS Kids Preschool Block (September 4, 2006 – September 16, 2019) – a morning programming block aimed at preschool children.^[8][9]

24/7 network

The PBS Kids Channel (also known as PBS Kids 24/7) is an American digital broadcast and online 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. Some PBS member stations, most notably KLCS & KVCR 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.