History of PBS Kids in Timeline

PBS Kids is the brand for children's programming on PBS, a U.S. public television network. It includes a daytime programming block on PBS stations, a 24-hour channel available on digital subchannels, and various digital platforms. It is aimed at providing educational content for children.

August 1993: Introduction of P-Pals

In August 1993, PBS introduced new branding for their children's programs featuring the "P-Pals", animated characters shaped like the PBS "P-head" logo.

July 11, 1994: PTV Launch

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, incorporating interstitials with the P-Pals in their fictional world "PTV Park".

1994: PTV Introduction

In 1994, PTV was first introduced on selected PBS stations as a blanket branding for the network's array of existing children's programming, like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street.

June 26, 1995: Apple Computer Grant to PTV

On June 26, 1995, Apple Computer provided a $1.5 million grant to PTV and became its first national underwriter, as part of their "Bring Learning Home" corporate initiative.

January 8, 1996: "Ready To Learn" Grant Unveiled

On January 8, 1996, a "Ready To Learn" grant supported the development of Dragon Tales and Between the Lions, which premiered in 1999 and 2000, respectively, as well as their online activities and outreach efforts.

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September 1996: PTV Service Expansion

By September 1996, 95 PBS stations reaching three quarters of the United States were carrying the PTV service.

October 7, 1996: Launch of "The Game" Block

Starting on October 7, 1996, PBS packaged their programs for school-aged children into the block The Game, airing on 31 stations by the end of the year.

January 18, 1999: PBS Kids Channel Announcement

On January 18, 1999, PBS announced that it would launch the PBS Kids Channel in September as part of a larger initiative.

September 6, 1999: PBS Kids Rebranding

On September 6, 1999, the rebranding to "PBS Kids" first took effect when PBS launched the 24-hour PBS Kids Channel. The logo included Dash and Dot mascots.

1999: Dragon Tales Premiere

Dragon Tales premiered in 1999, after the "Ready to Learn" grant in 1996 supported its development.

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1999: PBS Kids Introduction

In 1999, PBS Kids was first introduced, succeeding PTV. This introduction coincided with a larger investment into children's programming.

1999: First Iteration of PBS Kids Channel

The PBS Kids Channel had its first iteration, existing between 1999 and 2005.

February 1, 2000: PBS Kids Website Relaunch

On February 1, 2000, the PBS Kids website was relaunched with new areas.

2000: Between the Lions Premiere

Between the Lions premiered in 2000, after the "Ready to Learn" grant in 1996 supported its development.

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2002: PBS Kids Channel Household Reach

In 2002, the PBS Kids Channel had only reached 9 million households, compared to Noggin's 23.3 million households.

October 2004: PBS Kids Go! Launch

In October 2004, PBS Kids launched a late-afternoon sub-block known as PBS Kids Go!, which was programming directed at school-aged children within oldest subset of the existing PBS Kids demographic (generally ages 6 to 8).

2004: PBS Kids Go! Launch

In 2004, PBS Kids launched a late-afternoon sub-block known as PBS Kids Go!, targeting elementary school-aged viewers between 6 and 8 years of age.

2005: PBS Kids Sprout Partnership

From 2005, PBS partnered with Comcast, HIT Entertainment, and Sesame Workshop to operate an ad-supported cable network known as PBS Kids Sprout.

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2005: PBS Kids Channel Shutdown

In 2005, PBS decided to shut down the network, effectively supplanted by PBS Kids Sprout, after DirecTV's decision not to renew its funding agreement with the channel.

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2005: End of First Iteration of PBS Kids Channel

The first iteration of the PBS Kids Channel, launched in 1999, ended in 2005.

April 2006: PBS Announces PBS Kids Go! Channel

In April 2006, PBS announced plans for a replacement 24-hour digital multicast network called the PBS Kids Go! Channel, which would expand upon the afternoon PBS Kids Go! block on PBS.

October 2006: PBS Kids Go! Channel Launch Delayed

In October 2006, the planned launch of the PBS Kids Go! Channel was delayed due to PBS stations finding the licensing fees too expensive, especially after the expenses incurred with the PBS HD feed. Only a third of PBS stations initially committed, leading to the withdrawal of the channel plans.

September 8, 2008: PBS Kids Go! Video Player Launch

On September 8, 2008, PBS launched the PBS Kids Go! video player on its website, featuring video clips from a number of PBS Kids Go! shows and interactive online games.

May 12, 2011: PBS Kids Video App Public Launch

On May 12, 2011, the entire PBS Kids video streaming platform evolved into the PBS Kids Video app, which initially became publicly available for free.

May 8, 2013: PBS Kids on Roku

On May 8, 2013, PBS Kids programming was added to the Roku streaming player.

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October 2013: PBS Kids Go! Discontinued

In October 2013, PBS Kids Go! was discontinued as part of a rebranding of the PBS Kids block, citing market research.

2013: Comcast Assumes Full Ownership of Sprout

In 2013, Comcast (via subsidiary NBCUniversal), assumed full ownership of the PBS Kids Sprout channel after the partners sold their stakes.

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2013: Comcast Acquires PBS Kids Sprout

In 2013, Comcast acquired the PBS Kids Sprout network outright via its NBCUniversal division.

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2013: PBS Kids Go! Discontinued

In 2013, the PBS Kids Go! brand was discontinued to focus more on the main PBS Kids brand.

February 23, 2016: PBS Announces Revival of 24/7 PBS Kids Channel

On February 23, 2016, PBS announced the revival of the 24/7 PBS Kids Channel after 11 years. According to PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger, the decision was influenced by the insights gained from PBS's partnership with Comcast in operating Sprout, highlighting the value of children's programming during prime time.

July 1, 2016: PBS Kids and Amazon Prime Video Agreement

On July 1, 2016, Amazon Prime Video and PBS Distribution entered into a multi-year agreement to stream several PBS Kids series on Amazon Prime Video.

January 16, 2017: PBS Kids Channel Revived

On January 16, 2017, PBS revived the PBS Kids Channel as an over-the-top and digital multicast television network with an online livestream. No changes were made to the main PBS Kids block on PBS.

April 21, 2017: Launch of "PBS Kids Family Night"

On April 21, 2017, PBS Kids Channel launched "PBS Kids Family Night", a weekly programming block on Friday evenings, with repeat airings on Saturday and Sunday evenings. It showcases themed programs, premieres, and special movie-length episodes of both new and existing PBS Kids shows.

2017: PBS Kids Channel Relaunch

In 2017, PBS Kids relaunched its 24-hour channel, operating via digital terrestrial television and streaming.

2017: Second Iteration of PBS Kids Channel

The current version of the PBS Kids Channel was launched in 2017.

May 22, 2019: PBS Kids Launch in Sub-Saharan Africa

On May 22, 2019, PBS Distribution partnered with MultiChoice to launch PBS Kids on DStv and GOtv platforms across its Sub-Saharan Africa footprint.

November 2020: Peanuts Specials on PBS Kids

In November 2020, PBS Kids, in association with the main PBS service, became the terrestrial television home of select specials from the Peanuts animated library, under a sub-licensing agreement with Apple TV+.

July 1, 2021: PBS Kids Launch in Australia

On July 1, 2021, PBS Distribution partnered with Foxtel to launch PBS Kids in Australia.

2021: End of Peanuts Specials Agreement

After the 2021 holiday season, the agreement between PBS and Apple TV+ ended and the Peanuts specials have not aired on American broadcast television since.

July 19, 2022: New PBS Kids Brand Identity

On July 19, 2022, PBS Kids introduced a new brand identity by Lippincott. The Dash mascot was discontinued, supplanted by customizable cartoon characters.

February 2023: PBS Kids Block Schedule Reduction

In February 2023, a major shift in program scheduling reduced the duration of the daytime PBS Kids block on local PBS stations significantly to 8 hours. This change was due to changes in viewing behaviors.

July 1, 2023: Discontinuation of PBS Kids in Australia

The PBS Kids channel was discontinued two years later on July 1, 2023, in Australia.

April 23, 2024: PBS Retro on The Roku Channel

On April 23, 2024, The Roku Channel added PBS Retro, a free ad-supported streaming channel that consists of older PBS Kids programming, such as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow.

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