.svg){kind=logo} | |
| Network | PBS |
|---|---|
| Launched | July 11, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-07-11) (PTV) September 6, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-09-06) (as PBS Kids) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Formerly known as | PTV (1994–99) |
| Official website | pbskids.org |
PBS Kids (stylized asPBS KIDS) is the branding used for nationally-distributedchildren's programming carried by the U.S.public television networkPBS. The brand encompasses adaytimeblock of children's programming carried daily by most PBS member stations, a 24-hourchannel carried on thedigital subchannels of PBS member stations (sometimes called the PBS Kids Channel or PBS Kids 24/7), and its accompanying digital platforms.
PBS Kids programming typically targets children between the ages of 2 and 8,[1] with a focus on live-action and animated series featuringeducational and informative (E/I) components; some of its programs were developed under grants with theCorporation for Public Broadcasting as part of PBS and CPB's "Ready-to-Learn" initiative. From 2004 to 2013, a late-afternoon sub-block known asPBS Kids Go! broadcast programming targetingelementary 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 1994 on selected PBS stations as a blanket branding for the network's array of existing children's programming (such asMister Rogers' Neighborhood andSesame 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, anddigital terrestrial television platforms. However, the channel proved unsuccessful and shut down in 2005.
From 2005 to 2013, PBS partnered withComcast,HIT Entertainment, andSesame Workshop to operate an ad-supported cable network known asPBS Kids Sprout; Comcast would later acquire the network outright in 2013 via itsNBCUniversal division. PBS Kids would later relaunch its 24-hour channel in 2017, operating via digital terrestrial television andstreaming.
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.
PBS had historically aired programs for children such asSesame Street,Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, andReading Rainbow; prior to 1993, these programs aired under general PBS branding. In August 1993, PBS introduced new branding for their children's programs featuring the "P-Pals", animated characters shaped like thePBS "P-head" logo who encouraged skills such as gathering information, self-esteem, cooperation and achieving goals in specially-developed interstitials.
The framework for PBS Kids was established as part of PBS' "Ready to Learn" initiative, a project intended to facilitate access of early childhood educational programming to underprivileged children.[2] On July 11, 1994, PBS repackaged their existing children's educational programming as a new block titled "PTV", airing on 11 member stations at launch.[3][4] In addition to scheduled educational programming, PTV also incorporated interstitial content with the P-Pals in their fictional world "PTV Park" for younger children.[3] Older children were targeted with live-action and music video interstitials.[3]
Apple Computer provided a $1.5 million grant to PTV and became its first national underwriter on June 26, 1995, as part of their "Bring Learning Home" corporate initiative.[5] A "Ready To Learn" grant unveiled on January 8, 1996, supported the development ofDragon Tales andBetween the Lions, which premiered in 1999 and 2000, respectively, as well as their online activities and outreach efforts.[6] By September 1996, 95 PBS stations reaching three quarters of the United States were carrying the PTV service.[7] Starting on October 7, 1996, PBS packaged their programs for school-aged children into the blockThe Game, airing on 31 stations by the end of the year.
On January 18, 1999, PBS announced that it would launch the PBS Kids Channel, meant to be the centerpiece of a larger initiative, in September.[8] On June 9, PBS revealed a wide rebranding of its children's programs and services, known asPBS Kids, at its annual meeting in San Francisco. PBS would also increase its children's programming budget by 25% and commit to two new series:Caillou andAnne of Green Gables: The Animated Series.[9]
The rebranding to "PBS Kids" first took effect on September 6, 1999, when PBS launched the 24-hour PBS Kids Channel.[10] The new PBS Kids branding elements began rolling out on PBS stations in October; PBS provided grants to stations who adopted the new branding early. Brand designers incorporated athought bubble concept across the brand packaging, intended to associate "imagination, thinking and using your head" with PBS Kids.[10] Included with the new on-air appearance was a bright green logo featuring iconic boy and girl mascot characters Dash and Dot. The PBS Kids website was relaunched with some new areas on February 1, 2000.[11]
The PBS Kids Channel was unsuccessful; in 2005, PBS entered into a commercial joint venture withComcast,HIT Entertainment,Sesame Workshop to launch a replacement known asPBS Kids Sprout, which would be a 24-hour channel targeting a preschool audience.[12][13] In the early-2010s, the partners sold their stakes in Sprout to Comcast (via subsidiaryNBCUniversal), who assumed full ownership of the channel in 2013.[14][15][16]
In October 2004, PBS Kids launched a late-afternoon sub-block known asPBS Kids Go!; this block featured programming directed at school-aged children within oldest subset of the existing PBS Kids demographic (generally ages 6 to 8). PBS had also planned to launch a dedicated PBS Kids Go! channel as a digital network in October 2006, but was later cancelled before launch.[17][18] In October 2013, PBS Kids Go! was discontinued as part of a rebranding of the PBS Kids block, citing market research finding that the PBS Kids brand was more recognizable than PBS Kids Go!, and that a number of programs across both brands were being viewed widely by both preschool and school-aged viewers—making the need for a second block redundant.[19]
PBS revived the PBS Kids Channel on January 16, 2017, this time being structured as anover-the-top anddigital multicast television network with an online livestream of the channel on the PBS Kids website and video app, in addition to utilizing largely the same distribution methods that had been used for the original channel.[20] At the time of launch, no changes were made to the main PBS Kids block on PBS. The block is counter programmed from the channel, thus the same show would not be shown at the same time on the channel and block.[21][22][23]
In November 2020, PBS Kids, in association with the main PBS service, became the terrestrial television home of select specials from thePeanuts animated library, under a sub-licensing agreement withApple TV+.[24] The agreement allowed both PBS and the PBS Kids Channel to airIt's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, andA Charlie Brown Christmas over the air, once per year. After the 2021 holiday season, the agreement with PBS ended, and since then, thePeanuts specials have not aired on American broadcast television.[25]
On July 19, 2022, PBS Kids introduced a newbrand identity byLippincott; the rebranding incorporates aspects of the current PBS branding also developed by Lippincott, changing its logo to an electric blue circle with a tweaked version of the existing PBS Kidswordmark (which was maintained in order to preserve brand recognition for younger viewers), set in green and white. The Dash mascot was discontinued, but supplanted by a new system of customizable cartoon characters seen in promos. The characters have customizable facial features, skin tones, and disability aids to reflect a diverse youth audience and how they portray themselves.[26]
In February 2023, a major shift in program scheduling reduced the duration of the daytime PBS Kids block on local PBS stations significantly.[27][28] Previously, the PBS Kids block encompassed a much larger portion of the daytime schedule, with the national schedule consisting of 13 hours of programming both before- and after-school hours throughout the morning and afternoon. The cuts would reduce its duration to eight hours. Many PBS stations had already begun transitioning to shorter morning blocks, but this change pushed nearly all stations to shorten their daytime children's schedules to morning hours only. PBS cited changes in viewing behaviors, and decided that it was advantageous to focus their children's programming in the mornings and cater to more general audiences in the afternoons, while continuing to grow their audience on the 24/7 kids service.[29]
As online streaming began to increase in popularity, PBS launched the PBS Kids Go! video player on its website on September 8, 2008. This federally-funded, innovative video streaming platform featured video clips from a number of PBS Kids Go! shows which rotated on a weekly basis and linked to interactive online games.[30] The video player later expanded to include all PBS Kids programming, and the entire platform evolved into the PBS Kids Video app, which initially became publicly available for free on May 12, 2011.[31] The PBS Kids Video app is currently the primary source for free streaming of on-demand video clips and full episodes of PBS Kids programming. The app also features a free live stream of the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel.
On May 8, 2013, PBS Kids programming was added to theRoku streaming player.[32]
On July 1, 2016,Amazon Prime Video and PBS Distribution entered into a multi-year agreement which saw several PBS Kids series on other streaming services move to Amazon Prime Video.[33] The PBS Kids subscription allows children and families to stream nearly all PBS Kids programs currently broadcast on air; however, notable exceptions includeSesame Street, which streams onMax,[34] andCurious George, which streams onNBCUniversal'sPeacock.[35] The PBS Kids add-on service also includes several older series, such asReading Rainbow,Kratts' Creatures, andIt's a Big Big World.
On April 23, 2024,The Roku Channel addedPBS Retro, a free ad-supported streaming channel,[36] which consists of older PBS Kids programming, such asMister Rogers' Neighborhood andReading Rainbow.[37]
A selection of PBS Kids brand programming is available outside of the United States through PBS Distribution, PBS International andGBH, who jointly offer a PBS Kids subscription channel and on-demand video services to international audiences.[38]
PBS Distribution partnered withMultiChoice to launch PBS Kids on May 22, 2019, onDStv andGOtv platforms across itsSub-Saharan Africa footprint. The channel was discontinued by the end of August 2024.[39][40]
PBS Distribution partnered withFoxtel to launch PBS Kids on July 1, 2021, in Australia.[41] The channel was discontinued two years later on July 1, 2023.[42][43]
For list of all PBS Kids programs, seeList of programs broadcast by PBS Kids.
PBS Kids programming has historically received generally positive reviews from television critics and parents of young children.L.A. Story (a division of Blogspot) wrote, "Great for any little explorer!"[51]Rob Owen ofPittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "Best children's entertainment available".[52] Valerie Williams ofScary Mommy wrote, "A wonderful gift".[53] Steve Aquino ofForbes wrote, "Making learning accessible in the coronavirus age".[54]
| |
| Type | Digital broadcastTV network (children's programming) |
|---|---|
| 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 in1080i16:9 and720p16:9) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | PBS |
| History | |
| Founded | January 18, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-18) (original) February 23, 2016; 9 years ago (2016-02-23) (revival) |
| Launched | September 6, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-09-06) (original) January 16, 2017; 8 years ago (2017-01-16) (revival) |
| Closed | September 26, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-9-26) (original) |
| Replaced by | PBS Kids Sprout (original) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | PBS Kids Live TV |
| Website | pbskids |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s) | DirecTV Stream,Hulu + Live TV,Samsung TV Plus,YouTube TV |
ThePBS Kids Channel (also known asPBS Kids 24/7) is an Americandigital broadcast and onlinetelevision 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.[55] Some PBS member stations, most notablyKLCS inLos Angeles andWDCQ-TV inBad Axe, Michigan, maintain their own locally programmed PBS Kids feed that is independent from the nationally sourced feed.
The PBS Kids Channel has had two iterations in the age ofdigital television; one which existed between 1999 and 2005, and the current version which was launched in 2017.
On September 6, 1999, PBS launched a 24-hour PBS Kids network in several markets, in conjunction with the overall introduction of the PBS Kids brand to provide a unified branding for the service's children's programming offerings. The separate network (referred to as thePBS Kids Channel in press materials) was available on high-tier subscription providers, and was also offered to PBS member stations for use on a "cablecast" service (a subscription-based local channel provided by the member station) or for use on the member station's free-to-air analog channel to provide a portion of the daytime PBS Kids programming on the station. Participating stations were required to pay an annual fee of $1,000 to use the feed. The channel was launched on over 30 PBS member stations with carriage methods ranging from a cable-only service, to a standard-definition digital subchannel, to analog simulcasts.[10] Additional affiliates would pick up the channel later throughout the fall and winter of 1999.[citation needed]
FCC requirements mandatedsatellite providers to set aside 4% of their available channel space for noncommercial educational and informational programming. With these providers limited to offering one such service per programmer, PBS had put forth PBS Kids as a prospective channel to fulfill this mandate.[56]
The channel was largely funded by satellite providerDirecTV.[57] It was partly created to compete against theNick Jr. block and its sister networkNoggin; at the time, Noggin was co-owned by theChildren's Television Workshop (the production company behindSesame Street) andNickelodeon.[10][58] Because the pay-TV rights to the Children's Television Workshop's programs were owned by Noggin, the channel did not broadcast CTW programming, including longtime PBS stapleSesame Street, though an exception was made with the CTW-producedDragon Tales (which premiered on the same day as the launch of the PBS Kids Channel).[citation needed]
The channel was unsuccessful and had only reached 9 million households as of 2002, compared to Noggin's 23.3 million households at the time.[59] In the aftermath of DirecTV's decision not to renew its funding agreement with the channel, which ended in the third quarter of 2005,[57] PBS decided to shut down the network on September 26 of that year.[failed verification] The PBS Kids Channel was effectively supplanted on that date byPBS Kids Sprout, an advertiser-supported cable and satellite channel that PBS developed in ajoint venture withSesame Workshop,HIT Entertainment andComcast (the latter of which later bought full control of the network viaNBCUniversal).[60]
PBS gave local stations an option to sign on PBS Kids Sprout promoters, providing them cross-promotional and monetary benefits in exchange for giving up the ability to carry a competing preschool-targeted channel. For example, PBS member stationWBGU-TV aired promotional spots for PBS Kids Sprout during their PBS Kids daytime block,[61] thereby forfeiting their eligibility to air a children's channel locally. 80 stations, making up about half of the member stations participants, signed up to be promoters; most of the remaining stations opted to develop independent children's programming services featuring programs distributed by PBS and through outside distributors such asAmerican Public Television to fill space ondigital subchannels that formerly served as PBS Kids Channel members.[17] Many of the member stations that launched children's-focused subchannel or cable-only services reduced the amount of sourced programming from PBS Kids carried on their primary channel to a few hours of their weekday daytime schedules, in order to program more adult-targeted fare during the afternoon.[17]
The closure of the PBS Kids Channel left many local PBS stations with a vacancy on their multicast digital channel offerings, during a time when digital and high-definition broadcasts were increasing reach and gaining popularity. In April 2006, PBS announced plans for a replacement 24-hour digital multicast network called thePBS Kids Go! Channel. This would expand upon the afternoonPBS Kids Go! block on PBS, with additional new content and reruns of returning programs, such asHIT Entertainment'sWishbone andKratts' Creatures. Other exclusive content for this channel would include a one-hour Spanish-language block called "PBS Kids Vayan!" (Spanish for "Go!", which would air select shows in Spanish with English subtitles), an evening "Go! Family" block, and an educational "Go! Figure" school block.[62][18]
The PBS Kids Go! Channel was originally set to launch in October 2006. However, stations found that the sliding scale licensing fees were too high for what little exclusive programming they would have received, especially after spending additional funds for the PBS HD feed. With only one-third of PBS stations initially committing to carry the new network, the plans for the channel were ultimately withdrawn.[63]
On February 23, 2016, PBS announced that the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel would be revived after 11 years.[64] PBS president and CEOPaula Kerger stated that during PBS's partnership with Comcast in their operations of Sprout, PBS had discovered the valuable position in children's programming during prime time.[65]
Originally set for a fall 2016 relaunch, the PBS Kids Channel was officially relaunched on January 16, 2017.[23] Structured as amulti-platform service, it was made available for distribution to digital subchannels of participating PBS member stations, initially launching on 73 member stations (counting those operated as subregional PBS member networks), with an additional 34 agreeing to begin carrying the network at a later date.[66] A free online live stream of the PBS Kids Channel was also added to the PBS Kids website and video app upon the channel's debut, allowing viewers to toggle from the program being aired to a related educational game extending the interactivity introduced bySesame Street. The live stream also provides access to the 24/7 channel even in areas where some local PBS stations, such asWUFT inGainesville, Florida andWEIU-TV inCharleston, Illinois, do not carry it on its subchannels. The PBS Kids Channel is also available on bothDirecTV andDirecTV Stream on channel 288.[67]
The PBS Kids Channel is counterprogrammed from the PBS Kids block on PBS, so that the same program would not be shown on either simultaneously. It mainly features double-runs of existing series on PBS Kids' schedule (including some not carried on the primary channels of certain member stations); as such, no additional programs had to be acquired to help fill the channel's schedule.[21] On April 21, 2017, the channel launched "PBS Kids Family Night," a weekly block on Friday evenings (with encore airings on Saturday and Sunday evenings) that showcase themed programming, premieres or special "movie-length" episodes of new and existing PBS Kids children's programs.[55][23][21][68]
| City of license/ market | Station | Channel | Operator | Affiliation tenure (original network) | Local channel[69] | Affiliation date (revived network)[70] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | ||||||
| Birmingham | WBIQ | 10.2 | Alabama Public Television | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Demopolis | WIIQ | 41.2 | ||||
| Dozier | WDIQ | 2.2 | ||||
| Florence | WFIQ | 36.2 | ||||
| Huntsville | WHIQ | 25.2 | ||||
| Louisville | WGIQ | 43.2 | ||||
| Mobile | WEIQ | 42.2 | ||||
| Montgomery | WAIQ | 26.2 | ||||
| Mount Cheaha | WCIQ | 7.2 | ||||
Alaska | ||||||
| Anchorage | KAKM | 7.4 | Alaska Public Telecommunications | TBD | ||
| Fairbanks | KUAC-TV | 9.8 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | |||
Arkansas | ||||||
| Arkadelphia | KETG | 9.3 | Arkansas Educational Television Network | January 16, 2017 | ||
| El Dorado | KETZ | 12.3 | ||||
| Fayetteville | KAFT | 13.3 | ||||
| Jonesboro | KTEJ | 19.3 | ||||
| Little Rock | KETS | 2.3 | ||||
| Mountain View | KEMV | 6.3 | ||||
Arizona | ||||||
| Phoenix | KAET | 8.4 | Arizona State University | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Tucson | KUAT-TV | 6.2 | Arizona Public Media | 2003–2005 | 2005–2017 | |
California | ||||||
| Eureka | KEET | 13.5 | Redwood Empire Public Television, Inc. | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Fresno | KVPT | 18.2 | Valley Public Television, Inc. | |||
| Huntington Beach (servesLos Angeles) | KOCE-TV[71] | 50.5 | KOCE Foundation | |||
| Los Angeles | KLCS | 58.2 | Los Angeles Unified School District | 2004–present | ||
| Sacramento | KVIE | 6.4 | KVIE, Inc. | January 16, 2017 | ||
| San Diego | KPBS | 15.4 | San Diego State University | |||
| San Francisco (San Jose) | KQED andKQEH | 9.4 and 54.4 Comcast 192 | KQED Inc.[17][72] | August 9, 2003[73] – January 15, 2017 | ||
| Watsonville (serves theMonterey Bay area) | KQET | 25.4 Comcast 372 | ||||
Colorado | ||||||
| Denver | KRMA-TV | 6.2 | Rocky Mountain PBS | TBD | ||
| Durango | KRMU | 20.2 | ||||
| Grand Junction | KRMJ | 18.2 | ||||
| Pueblo | KTSC | 8.2 | ||||
| Steamboat Springs | KRMZ | 24.2 | ||||
Connecticut | ||||||
| Bridgeport | WEDW | 49.4 | LocusPoint Networks | TBD | ||
| New Haven | WEDY | 65.4 | ||||
| Hartford | WEDH | 24.4 | Connecticut Public Television | |||
| Norwich (serves eastern Connecticut, includingNew London) | WEDN | 53.4 | ||||
District of Columbia | ||||||
| Washington | WETA-TV | 26.3 | Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association | 2007–[17] 2019 | August 2019 | |
| WHUT-TV | 32.2 | Howard University | January 16, 2017 | |||
Florida | ||||||
| Fort Myers | WGCU | 30.5 | Florida Gulf Coast University | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Jacksonville | WJCT | 7.5 | WJCT, Inc. | |||
| Miami | WPBT | 2.4 | South Florida PBS | |||
| West Palm Beach | WXEL-TV | 42.3 | ||||
| Orlando | WUCF-TV | 24.3 | University of Central Florida | |||
| Panama City | WFSG | 56.4 | Florida State University | |||
| Tallahassee | WFSU-TV | 11.4 | ||||
| Pensacola | WSRE | 23.4 | Pensacola Junior College | TBD | ||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg | WEDU | 3.2 | Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc. | |||
| WEDQ | 16.2 | University of South Florida | Currently | |||
Georgia | ||||||
| Atlanta | APS (evenings)[10] | 22 (cable-only) | Atlanta Public Schools | September 6, 1999 – 2005 | ||
| Athens (Atlanta) | WGTV | 8.4 | Georgia Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Chatsworth | WNGH-TV | 18.4 | ||||
| Cochran | WMUM-TV | 29.4 | ||||
| Columbus | WJSP-TV | 28.4 | ||||
| Dawson | WACS-TV | 25.4 | ||||
| Pelham | WABW-TV | 14.4 | ||||
| Savannah | WVAN-TV | 9.4 | ||||
| Waycross (servesValdosta andBrunswick) | WXGA-TV | 8.4 | ||||
| Wrens | WCES-TV | 20.4 | ||||
Hawaii | ||||||
| Honolulu | KHET | 11.2 | Hawaii Public Television | July 1, 2003 | October 1, 2005 | January 16, 2017 |
| Wailuku(servesMaui) | KMEB | 10.2 | ||||
Idaho | ||||||
| Boise | KAID | 4.5 | Idaho State Department of Education | February 1, 2018 | ||
| Coeur D'Alene (part of theSpokane, Washington market) | KCDT | 26.5 | ||||
| Moscow | KUID-TV | 12.5 | ||||
| Pocatello | KISU-TV | 10.5 | ||||
| Twin Falls | KIPT | 13.5 | ||||
Illinois | ||||||
| Carbondale | WSIU-TV | 8.5 | Southern Illinois University | TBD | ||
| Olney | WUSI-TV | 19.5 | ||||
| Chicago | WTTW | 11.4 | Window to the World Communications | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Peoria[74] | WTVP | 47.2 | Illinois Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation | |||
| Urbana (Springfield)[75] | WILL-TV | 12.2 | University of Illinois | |||
Indiana | ||||||
| Bloomington | WTIU | 30.4 | Indiana University | .3 (12:00–6:00 p.m.) TIU Family (ended January 30, 2017) | January 30, 2017 | |
| Fort Wayne | WFWA | 39.2 | Fort Wayne Public Television | 2005 | Kids39 (2005-2017) | January 16, 2017 |
| Indianapolis | WFYI | 20.2 | Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting | TBD | ||
| South Bend | WNIT | 34.3 | Michiana Public Broadcasting | |||
| Vincennes (servesSouthwestern Indiana includingEvansville andTerre Haute) | WVUT | 22.3 | Vincennes University | January 16, 2017 | ||
Iowa | ||||||
| Council Bluffs | KBIN-TV | 32.4 | Iowa Public Television | current (all .2) IPTV Learn(10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) | TBD | |
| Davenport | KQIN | 36.4 | ||||
| Des Moines | KDIN-TV | 11.4 | ||||
| Fort Dodge | KTIN | 21.4 | ||||
| Iowa City | KIIN | 12.4 | ||||
| Mason City | KYIN | 24.4 | ||||
| Red Oak | KHIN | 36.4 | ||||
| Sioux City | KSIN-TV | 27.4 | ||||
| Waterloo | KRIN | 32.4 | ||||
Kansas | ||||||
| Colby | KWKS | 19.2 | Smoky Hills Public Television | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Dodge City | KDCK | 21.2 | ||||
| Hays | KOOD | 9.2 | ||||
| Lakin | KSWK | 3.2 | ||||
| Topeka | KTWU | 11.2 | Washburn University | Current | ||
| Hutchinson/Wichita | KPTS | 8.4 | Kansas Public Telecommunications Service | |||
Kentucky | ||||||
| Ashland | WKAS | 25.4 | Kentucky Authority for Educational Television | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Bowling Green | WKGB-TV | 53.4 | ||||
| Covington | WCVN-TV | 54.4 | ||||
| Elizabethtown | WKZT-TV | 23.4 | ||||
| Hazard | WKHA | 35.4 | ||||
| Lexington | WKLE | 46.4 | ||||
| Louisville | WKPC-TV | 15.4 | ||||
| Madisonville | WKMA-TV | 35.4 | ||||
| Morehead | WKMR | 38.4 | ||||
| Murray | WKMU | 21.4 | ||||
| Owensboro | WKOH | 31.4 | ||||
| Owenton | WKON | 52.4 | ||||
| Paducah | WKPD | 29.4 | ||||
| Pikeville | WKPI-TV | 22.4 | ||||
| Somerset | WKSO-TV | 29.4 | ||||
Louisiana | ||||||
| Alexandria | KLPA-TV | 25.2 | Louisiana Educational Television Authority | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Baton Rouge | WLPB-TV | 27.2 | ||||
| Lafayette | KLPB-TV | 24.2 | ||||
| Lake Charles | KLTL-TV | 24.2 | ||||
| Monroe | KLTM-TV | 13.2 | ||||
| New Orleans | WYES-TV | 12.4 | Greater New Orleans Educational Television Foundation | TBD | ||
| Shreveport | KLTS-TV | 24.2 | Louisiana Educational Television Authority | January 16, 2017 | ||
Massachusetts | ||||||
| Boston | WGBX-TV[76] | 44.4 | WGBH Educational Foundation | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Springfield | WGBY-TV[77] | 57.3 | ||||
Maryland | ||||||
| Annapolis | WMPT | 22.3 | Maryland Public Television | MPT Select (daytime hours only)[17] | January 16, 2017 | |
| Baltimore | WMPB | 67.3 | ||||
| Frederick | WFPT | 62.3 | ||||
| Hagerstown | WWPB | 31.3 | ||||
| Oakland | WGPT | 36.3 | ||||
| Salisbury | WCPB | 28.3 | ||||
Maine | ||||||
| Augusta | WCBB | 10.4 | Maine Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Biddeford (Portland) | WMEA-TV | 26.4 | ||||
| Calais | WMED-TV | 13.4 | ||||
| Orono (Bangor) | WMEB-TV | 12.4 | ||||
| Presque Isle | WMEM-TV | 10.4 | ||||
Michigan | ||||||
| Alpena | WCML | 6.2 | Central Michigan University | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Cadillac | WCMV | 27.2 | ||||
| Mount Pleasant (part of theBay City/Saginaw/Midland market) | WCMU-TV | 26.2 | ||||
| Flint | WCMZ-TV | 28.2 | January 16, 2017 – April 23, 2018[78] | |||
| Bad Axe (servesFlint,Saginaw andBay City) | WDCQ-TV | 19.4 | Delta College | Current | ||
| Detroit | WTVS | 56.2 | Detroit Educational Television Foundation | January 16, 2017 | ||
| East Lansing | WKAR-TV | 23.4 | Michigan State University | |||
| Grand Rapids | WGVU-TV | 35.5 | Grand Valley State University | TBD | ||
| Kalamazoo | WGVK | 52.5 | ||||
| Marquette | WNMU | 13.2 | Northern Michigan University | January 16, 2017 | ||
Minnesota | ||||||
| Appleton | KWCM-TV | 10.5 | West Central Minnesota Educational Television | TBD | ||
| Bemidji | KAWE | 9.3 | Northern Minnesota Public Television | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Brainerd | KAWB | 22.3 | ||||
| Crookston | KCGE-DT | 16.4 | Prairie Public Television | |||
| St. Paul | KTCA-TV | 2.4 | Twin Cities PBS | |||
| Worthington | KSMN | 20.5 | West Central Minnesota Educational Television | TBD | ||
Mississippi | ||||||
| Biloxi | WMAH-TV | 19.2 | Mississippi Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Booneville | WMAE-TV | 12.2 | ||||
| Bude | WMAU-TV | 17.2 | ||||
| Columbia | W45AA-D | 45.2 | ||||
| Greenwood | WMAO-TV | 23.2 | ||||
| Jackson | WMPN-TV | 29.2 | ||||
| Meridian | WMAW-TV | 14.2 | ||||
| Mississippi State | WMAB-TV | 2.2 | ||||
| Oxford | WMAV-TV | 18.2 | ||||
Missouri | ||||||
| Joplin | KOZJ | 26.2 | Missouri State University | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Springfield | KOZK | 21.2 | ||||
| Kansas City | KCPT | 19.4 | Public TV 19, Inc. | |||
| Sedalia | KMOS-TV | 6.4 | University of Central Missouri | |||
| St. Louis | KETC | 9.2 | St. Louis Regional Public Media, Inc. | |||
Montana | ||||||
| Billings | KBGS-TV | 16.2 | Montana State University | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Bozeman | KUSM-TV | 9.2 | ||||
| Helena | KUHM-TV | 10.2 | ||||
| Kalispell | KUKL-TV | 46.2 | ||||
| Missoula | KUFM-TV | 11.2 | ||||
Nebraska | ||||||
| Alliance | KTNE-TV | 13.4 | Nebraska Educational Telecommunications | March 1, 2017 | ||
| Bassett | KMNE-TV | 7.4 | ||||
| Hastings | KHNE-TV | 29.4 | ||||
| Lexington | KLNE-TV | 3.4 | ||||
| Lincoln | KUON-TV | 12.4 | ||||
| Merriman | KRNE-TV | 12.4 | ||||
| Norfolk | KXNE-TV | 19.4 | ||||
| North Platte | KPNE-TV | 9.4 | ||||
| Omaha | KYNE-TV | 26.4 | ||||
Nevada | ||||||
| Las Vegas | KLVX | 10.3 | Clark County School District | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Reno | KNPB | 5.3 | Channel 5 Public Broadcasting | |||
New Jersey | ||||||
| Newark (New York City) | WNET | 13.2 | Educational Broadcasting Corporation | January 16, 2017 | ||
New Mexico | ||||||
| Albuquerque | KNME-TV | 5.2 | University of New Mexico | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Las Cruces | KRWG-TV | 22.3 | University of New Mexico | TBD | ||
New York | ||||||
| Binghamton | WSKG-TV | 46.6 | WSKG Public Telecommunications Council[79] | February 1, 2017 | ||
| Corning | WSKA | 30.6 | ||||
| Buffalo | WNED-TV | 17.3 | Western New York Public Broadcasting Association | TBD | ||
| Norwood | WNPI-DT | 18.4 | St. Lawrence Valley Educational TV Council, Inc. | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Watertown | WPBS-TV | 16.4 | ||||
| Plattsburgh | WCFE-TV | 57.3 | Mountain Lake Public Telecommunications Council | |||
| Rochester | WXXI-TV | 21.4 | WXXI Public Broadcasting Council | February 2017 | ||
| Schenectady (Albany) | WMHT | 17.4 | WMHT Educational Telecommunications | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Syracuse | WCNY-TV | 24.4 | Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York | |||
North Carolina | ||||||
| Asheville | WUNF-TV | 33.2 | University of North Carolina | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Canton | WUNW | 27.3 | ||||
| Chapel Hill | WUNC-TV | 4.2 | ||||
| Concord | WUNG-TV | 58.2 | ||||
| Edenton | WUND-TV | 2.2 | ||||
| Greenville | WUNK-TV | 25.2 | ||||
| Jacksonville | WUNM-TV | 19.3 | ||||
| Linville | WUNE-TV | 17.3 | ||||
| Lumberton | WUNU | 31.2 | ||||
| Roanoke Rapids | WUNP-TV | 36.3 | ||||
| Wilmington | WUNJ-TV | 39.2 | ||||
| Winston-Salem | WUNL-TV | 26.2 | ||||
North Dakota | ||||||
| Bismarck | KBME-TV | 3.4 | Prairie Public Television | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Devils Lake | KMDE | 25.4 | ||||
| Dickinson | KDSE | 9.4 | ||||
| Ellendale | KJRE | 19.4 | ||||
| Fargo | KFME | 13.4 | ||||
| Minot | KSRE | 6.4 | ||||
| Williston | KWSE | 4.4 | ||||
Ohio | ||||||
| Akron, Ohio | WNEO | 49 | ||||
| Athens | OU Telecomm. Center | cable-only | Ohio University[10] | September 6, 1999–present (mornings and weekends) | ||
| Bowling Green | WBGU-TV | 27.2 | Bowling Green State University | Current | ||
| Cleveland | WVIZ | 25.5 | Ideastream | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Columbus | WOSU-TV | 34.4 | WOSU Public Media | |||
| Portsmouth | WPBO-TV | 42.4 | ||||
| Dayton | WPTD | 16.5 | Public Media Connect | |||
| Oxford | WPTO | 14.3 | ||||
| Toledo | WGTE-TV | 30.2 | Public Broadcasting Foundation of Northwest Ohio | |||
Oklahoma | ||||||
| Cheyenne | KWET | 12.4 | Oklahoma Educational Television Authority[17] |
| January 16, 2017 | |
| Eufaula | KOET | 3.4 | ||||
| Oklahoma City | KETA-TV | 13.4 | ||||
| Tulsa | KOED-TV | 11.4 | ||||
| Oklahoma City and Tulsa | OETA Kids | cable | 2009–2013 | |||
Oregon | ||||||
| Bend | KOAB-TV | 11.3 | Oregon Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Corvallis | KOAC-TV | 7.3 | ||||
| Eugene | KEPB-TV | 29.3 | ||||
| La Grande | KTVR | 13.3 | ||||
| Portland | KOPB-TV | 10.3 | ||||
Pennsylvania | ||||||
| Clearfield | WPSU-TV | 3.4 | Penn State Public Media | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Philadelphia | WHYY | 12.3 | WHYY Inc. | |||
| Pittsburgh | WQED | 13.5 | WQED Multimedia | |||
| Scranton | WVIA-TV | 44.2 | Northeast Pennsylvania Educational Television Association | |||
Puerto Rico | ||||||
| Fajardo | WMTJ | 40.2 | Ana G. Méndez University | Current | January 16, 2017 | |
| Ponce | WQTO | 26.2 | ||||
South Carolina | ||||||
| Allendale | WEBA-TV | 14.4 | South Carolina Educational Television | TBD | ||
| Beaufort | WJWJ-TV | 16.4 | ||||
| Charleston | WITV | 7.4 | ||||
| Columbia | WRLK-TV | 35.4 | ||||
| Conway | WHMC | 23.4 | ||||
| Florence | WJPM-TV | 33.4 | ||||
| Greenville | WNTV | 29.4 | ||||
| Greenwood | WNEH | 38.4 | ||||
| Rock Hill | WNSC-TV | 30.4 | ||||
| Spartanburg | WRET-TV | 49.4 | ||||
| Sumter | WRJA-TV | 27.4 | ||||
South Dakota | ||||||
| Aberdeen | KDSD-TV | 16.4 | South Dakota Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Brookings | KESD-TV | 8.4 | ||||
| Eagle Butte | KPSD-TV | 13.4 | ||||
| Lowry | KQSD-TV | 11.4 | ||||
| Martin | KZSD-TV | 8.4 | ||||
| Pierre | KTSD-TV | 10.4 | ||||
| Rapid City | KBHE-TV | 9.4 | ||||
| Sioux Falls | KCSD-TV | 23.4 | ||||
| Vermillion | KUSD-TV | 2.4 | ||||
Tennessee | ||||||
| Chattanooga | WTCI | 45.3 | Greater Chattanooga Public Television | January 2017 | ||
| Cookeville | WCTE | 22.4 | Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council | TBD | ||
| Knoxville | WKOP-TV | 15.2 | East Tennessee PBS | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Lexington (Jackson) | WLJT | 11.2 | West Tennessee Public Television Council, Inc. | |||
| Memphis | WKNO | 10.3 | Mid-South Public Communications Foundation | |||
| Nashville | WNPT-TV | 8.3 | Nashville Public Television, Inc. | 2017–present | June 30, 2017 | |
| Sneedville | WETP-TV | 2.2 | East Tennessee PBS | January 16, 2017 | ||
Texas | ||||||
| Amarillo | KACV-TV | 2.2 | Amarillo College | TBD | ||
| Austin | KLRU | 18.4 | Capital of Texas Public Telecommunications Council | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Belton (Waco) | KNCT | 46.2 | Central Texas College | |||
| College Station | KAMU-TV | 12.3 | Texas A&M University | |||
| Dallas | KERA-TV | 13.2 | North Texas Public Broadcasting | |||
| Houston | KUHT | 8.3 | University of Houston | |||
| Lubbock | KTTZ-TV | 5.3 | Texas Tech University | |||
| Odessa | KPBT-TV | 36.2 | Permian Basin Public Telecommunications, Inc. | July 6, 2020[80] | ||
| San Antonio | KLRN | 9.3 | Alamo Public Telecommunications Council | April 1, 2017[81] | ||
Utah | ||||||
| Salt Lake City | KUED | 7.3 | University of Utah | March 7, 2017 | ||
| St. George | KUEW | 18.3 | ||||
Virginia | ||||||
| Hampton-Norfolk | WHRO-TV | 15.3 | Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Roanoke | WBRA-TV | 15.3 | Blue Ridge PBS | |||
Virgin Islands | ||||||
| Charlotte Amalie | WTJX-TV | 12.2 | Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System | January 16, 2017 | ||
Vermont | ||||||
| Burlington | WETK | 33.4 | Vermont PBS | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Rutland | WVER | 28.4 | ||||
| St. Johnsbury | WVTB | 20.4 | ||||
| Windsor | WVTA | 41.4 | ||||
Washington | ||||||
| Seattle | KCTS-TV | 9.2 | Cascade Public Media | TBD | ||
| Yakima | KYVE | 47.2 | ||||
| Spokane | KSPS-TV | 7.4 | KSPS Public Television | September 2017 (April 1, 2017, on cable) | ||
Wisconsin | ||||||
| Green Bay | WPNE-TV | 38.4 | PBS Wisconsin | January 16, 2017 | ||
| La Crosse | WHLA-TV | 31.4 | ||||
| Madison | WHA-TV | 21.4 | ||||
| Menomonie | WHWC-TV | 28.4 | ||||
| Park Falls | WLEF-TV | 36.4 | ||||
| Wausau | WHRM-TV | 20.4 | ||||
| Milwaukee | WMVS | 10.3 | Milwaukee PBS Milwaukee Area Technical College | |||
West Virginia | ||||||
| Grandview | WSWP-TV | 9.3 | West Virginia Public Broadcasting | January 16, 2017 | ||
| Huntington | WVPB-TV | 33.3 | ||||
| Morgantown | WNPB-TV | 24.3 | ||||
Wyoming | ||||||
| Casper | KPTW | 6.3 | Central Wyoming College | TBD | ||
| Lander | KCWC-DT | 4.3 | ||||
| Laramie (servesCheyenne) | KWYP-DT | 8.3 | ||||
PBS Kids ... was originally created for underprivileged young viewers who lacked access to early-childhood education.
Watch classic PBS shows for kids 24/7 – from Reading Rainbow to Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood!
Media related toPBS Kids at Wikimedia Commons| Current |
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