All preschool, all the time - our almost-2 year old will likely burst with programming-induced joy.
PBS announced this week the launch of a new 24/7 preschool channel, called PBS KIDS Sprout, available on digital cable and satellite, and a companion website, which are "dedicated to offering little ones safe, fun, quality content." The site says, "Our mission is to provide a varied and innovative programming mix which ensures educational effectiveness and helps children learn and acquire a love of and respect for learning." Right on.
PBS KIDS Sprout features a powerful and familiar lineup of shows including Sesame Street, Boobah, Bob the Builder, Barney & Friends, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat, Caillou, The Berenstain Bears, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Teletubbies, Dragon Tales, Pingu, Noddy and more. Boohbah, because it is so deeply odd, is my fave.
The channel features thematic programming blocks scheduled to "follow the day of a preschooler from breakfast through to bedtime." Morning programming on PBS KIDS Sprout features "stimulating and upbeat shows" designed to "get little ones moving and active for the day ahead." Lunchtimes and afternoons offer shows with common learning themes such as shapes, colors and feelings. The evening programming block includes "soothing, relaxing shows" to "help children gently wind down after a busy day." Good thinking.
Hosts Kevin and Melanie, the first members of the PBS KIDS Sprout on-air family, appear in original segments between shows creating a "safe and nurturing" environment. Throughout the day, Kevin and Melanie lead "fun and engaging activities that encourage interactivity and learning."
PBS KIDS Sprout also offers a complete video-on-demand (VOD) service featuring 50 hours of VOD content every day. That's a lot of TV.
Article comments
1 - Jones Violet
That sounds like so much fun! I kind of wish I was a tiny tot again.
2 - Eric Olsen
you could just have some!
3 - Jones Violet
Ha. There's got to be a cheaper (and less painful) way to have an excuse to watch kiddie shows all day!
4 - Victor Lana
Hi, Eric!
I am so very familiar with all these stations and shows that it surprises even me.
My daughter is 4 and at this point has favorites across the channels. She also stumbled upon (at 4 she does control the remote, you see) TLC channel. In the mornings she favors PEEP and THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. I still think CAILLOU is one of her favorites, but she now thinks JAY JAY and BARNEY are for "babies."
Interesting post for me. I think the PBS shows are the best compared to Noggin, Disney, and Nick (but as I said, I don't control the remote).
5 - Eric Olsen
between the almost-6 year old and the almost-2 year old I see a lot of Sesame Street, SpongeBob, Jimmy Neutron, Fairly Odd Parents, Boobah, the Noggin morning shows on the weekends.
6 - rob mankowitz
The best video out there to prepare a child for preschool is "My First Day at Preschool." starring Buddy Bear. A former winner of Parenting Magazine's Best New Video of the Year Award.
Yes I do work for the company...
Best,
Rob Mankowitz
VP, Business Development
www.myfirstday.net
7 - john
Really,
someone should ask PBS to go into production on this jewel called MY FIRST DAY AT PRESCHOOL with Buddy Bear.
All the kids who see it - love it!! Parenting Magazine's Best New Video of the Year
Schoalstic Parent Magazine's Top 6 PIX!
A Telly Award for original music
A DOVE seal of approval, Dr. TOY Award
8 - Eric Olsen
at least you were honest about it, Rob
9 - Kristen
PBS kids changed its format in my area to the newer Sprout. I much prefer the older version with 30 minute shows and more educationally appropriate content for my three preschool aged children. I am sadly disappointed with some of the new shows - which may be entertaining buy are far from educational. As a parent and teacher I fell that PBS has missed the mark!
10 - Joe Sensor
Hey... my kids like sprout and I especially like that it is on 24/7... Noggin switches format at 6:00 and often when the kids have trouble sleeping at night it's nice that the programming is kid-friendly at all hours. Before we got dish I had to becareful not to put cartoon network on at night because of the shows. Now the kdis never watch it anymore, which is fine by me!
I was thinking about the hosts... melanie and Kevin... I was wondering what process PBNS went through to find them... I like Kevin, but it seems like Melanie is on about twice as much and it's a little awkward when she sings.... I can't help but think that they could have found someone a bit better if that's what they were after.
11 - lorie
my children haven't watched sprout since it came on. they are 6&7 the pbs kids was much more educational they enjoyed it more. they say sprout is for babies. please put pbs kids back on.
12 - William
they should put authur clifford peep and the big wide world nanalan mr rogers naborhood timithy goes to school the magic school bus shawn the sheep curious george walmice and grommit new to sprout october 1 on sprout and have the wake up show from 300 am to 1200 pm only on direct tv and comcast with the shows in the order i have bobbah telletubbies bobbah teletubbies sessime street boobah jay jay the jet plane bob the builder sprout dinner barney and friends the birthday show thomas and friends make way for noddy callou bob the builder kipper say it with noddy sessime street dragon tales kipper telletubbies the birthday show angelina ballerina thomas and friends sprout dinner and callou
13 - William
opps sorry the top for all cables but the wake up show is only for direct tv and comcast
14 - William
and the wake up show is diffrent for the other cables the hosts for the other cables are Miles Banjo Nina Star Lucy Hush and Leo it's time is diffrint to it's from 300 am to 300 pm with the order i say boobah telletubbies bobbah telletubbies bobbah telletubbies sessime street teletubbies teletubbies barney and friends barney and friends thomas and friends sprout dinner fireman sam fireman sam sessime street callou callou zabomafoo zaboomafoo jakers jakers barney the birthday show jay jay the jet plane thomas and friends and sessime street but the lets go show haves the same host but the good night show haves meline how used to run the good night show keven from the birthday show star lucy and hush
15 - William
the shows on the lets go show for all cables are bobbah teletubbies bobbah teletubbies dragon tales sagwa and the hobbs and on the good night show it is telletubbies telletubbies barney and friends sprout dinner thomas and friends make way for noddy callou sprout dinner fireman sam and fireman sam
16 - William
never mind don't put on the shows on the first comment except the wake up show
17 - William
comment forteen for the wake up show is for all cables that get pbs kids sprout excipt direct tv and comcast
18 - William
on comment 12 before it explaned about the wake up show I named new shows witch should be added to sprout but because of the names i put for the wake up show is going to stay but the names that is not on sprout now is not going to be added to pbs kids sprout untill i deside it to the wake up show for all cables is going to begin january 1 2008
19 - Matthew Baier
Dear Nina and Star,
How are you 2 doing on the good night show?
Please can I watch Barney & Friends on the
good night show to. I want to see season 1
and season 2 and season 3 from Barney & Friends.
That will be wonderful for me to watch on the good
night show. It will make me feel happy for that
show I will see. Your friend matthew.
20 - shania manuel
shania manuel is my name. i am a child and i want to go to pbs kids ondamand in this computer.
21 - Peggy Salmore
Can you please return Make way for Noddy
My grandson and I just love that show.
22 - Kim
I'm w Peggy! We miss noddy! My 3 year old is so upset its gone!