KLRN, a trusted provider of educational media for South Central Texas area children, will launch “KLRN Kids 24/7” an all PBS KIDS channel available on TV and via live streaming on digital platforms, starting April 1, 2017. The free service, which features 24/7 educational programming, ensures that PBS KIDS’ high-quality content is available to all children and caregivers on a platform and at a time that works for them, including primetime, weekends and other out-of-school times when they are most likely to tune in. In fact, a new national study of parents with children ages 2-6 finds TV viewing is one of the top ways that families spend time together, with 89 percent of parents reporting they watch TV together as a family, 74 percent in favor of anytime access to educational programming and 37 percent ranking PBS KIDS as the best use of family screen time.
“KLRN has been an integral part of the community for more than 54 years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that move the needle in early learning,” said Arthur Emerson, KLRN President and CEO. “We are excited to build on the work we do every day for South Central Texas families by adding these new 24/7 services to our offerings, ensuring that our proven educational content is accessible anytime and anywhere to all kids – especially those who need it the most.”
KLRN is one of 108 PBS licensees, listed here, that are expected to launch the PBS KIDS channel on TV by the end of the year, making it available to 90 percent of U.S. TV households.
Learning Opportunities for All
Live TV is the dominant way children access video, with most of kids’ TV viewing taking place on weeknights and weekends. This is true for all children, but especially for those in low-income families, who make up a significant percentage of PBS’ audience. The new PBS KIDS channel will be a critical resource for young children living in low-income households, who are more likely to rely on TV for educational content, and to be under-connected, with many families able to connect only via mobile devices and with inconsistent access to the internet.
An All-Star Line-Up of Kids’ Favorites
The KLRN Kids 24/7 schedule includes the following 21 PBS KIDS series:
- ARTHUR
- BOB THE BUILDER
- CAILLOU
- THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!
- CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG
- CYBERCHASE
- DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD
- DINOSAUR TRAIN
- FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN
- NATURE CAT
- ODD SQUAD
- PEG + CAT
- READY JET GO!
- SESAME STREET
- SID THE SCIENCE KID
- SPLASH AND BUBBLES
- SUPER WHY!
- THOMAS & FRIENDS
- WILD KRATTS
- WORDGIRL
- WORDWORLD
Beginning Friday, April 21, 2017, KLRN Kids 24/7 will debut “PBS KIDS Family Night,” weekly family viewing events featuring movie specials or themed programming every Friday from 7 to 9 pm, and repeating on Saturday and Sunday evenings. “Family Night” will kick off with popular movie favorites such as ODD SQUAD: THE MOVIE, SPLASH AND BUBBLES: ONE BIG OCEAN and SESAME STREET: THE COOKIE THIEF, and will include world premiere movie events such as DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: TIGER FAMILY TRIP, WILD KRATTS ALASKA: HERO’S JOURNEY (w.t.), READY JET GO!: RETURN TO BORTRON 7 and ARTHUR AND THE HAUNTED TREEHOUSE.
On April 1, 2017, KLRN will launch the new channel on digital channel 9.3 in addition to their current primary PBS channel, which will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part combined with award-winning dramas, documentaries and investigative journalism. The schedule of children’s programming on KLRN will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options. Viewers can find local station schedule information by clicking here.
KLRN Kids 24/7 is an integral part of KLRN’s children’s service and will build on its reach and impact in the community, where it provides essential services for kids, parents and teachers. To view a full list of services, visit klrn.org/learning .
About KLRN Public Television
KLRN is the Emmy-Award winning Public Television station for South Central Texas broadcasting to a 30-county radius. The mission of KLRN is to use the power of communications to provide quality programs and services which advance education, culture and community, to enrich the lives of people throughout our community.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children.