PBS to Launch Free 24/7 Kids Channel

February 26, 2016 - 17:27 -- RokuGuide

PBS to Launch Free 24/7 Kids ChannelPBS is launching a new 24/7 children’s service later this year, including a new TV channel and free live stream on Roku and other digital platforms. The live stream will complement on-demand clips and full episodes, which will continue to be available for free on the PBS KIDS app and PBS KIDS Roku channel, which is consistently one of the top 25 most-watched Roku channels.

Following the initial launch of the live stream, an integrated games feature will be added to allow toggling between a PBS KIDS show and an activity that extends learning. The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Wild Kratts, and Dinosaur Train. Also included will be new series Nature Cat and Ready Jet Go! Splash, a series from The Jim Henson Company, will premiere in Fall 2016. The schedule of children’s programming on the primary PBS channel will be different from the 24/7 channel.

The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will be available to local PBS affiliates for local TV broadcast in addition to being available on Roku, computers, and a variety of mobile devices, tablets and over-the-top platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said in a press release that "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.”

More information on the current PBS KIDS Roku channel can be found here. More information about the new PBS KIDS 24/7 service is available in this PBS announcement.