PBS.org Is the 15th Most Popular Video Site
PBS Offers Exclusive Mobile Premiere of NOVA’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos”
PBS Press Tour, Los Angeles, CA, July 30, 2011 – Americans watched more than 145 million videos across all of PBS’s web and mobile platforms and, according to ComScore, PBS is the 15th most popular online property for video for the month of June. One of the top series viewed online, PBS’ NOVA, will premiere the first episode of “The Fabric of the Cosmos” on PBS’ mobile apps on October 26, 2011 – one week in advance of the show’s broadcast debut.
“Consumption of PBS video on our web and mobile platforms has gone stratospheric, rising from about two million views a month three years ago to 145 million videos viewed in June," said Jason Seiken, Senior Vice President, PBS Interactive and Product Development. “Videos on PBS.org have a young and engaged audience. Seventy-two percent of visitors watching videos are between the ages 18 to 49, and our viewers spend an average of 18 minutes per video, far above the industry average.”
PBS mobile devices – including PBS for iPad (a 2011 Webby Award winner), PBS KIDS Video for iPad and PBS Apps for iPhone and iPod touch – account for 31% of the videos watched in June. Exclusive premieres offered on PBS’ mobile devices have included CIRCUS, NOVA’s “Making Stuff: Stronger,” the rebroadcast of Ken Burns’ THE CIVIL WAR, and the upcoming “The Fabric of the Cosmos.” PBS will continue to enhance its mobile video experience by increase the local member station content made available.
Airing November 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2011 on PBS, “The Fabric of the Cosmos” is a four-hour series based on the book by renowned physicist and author Brian Greene. Taking viewers to the frontiers of physics to see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet of space, time and the universe, audiences will discover that just beneath the surface of everyday experience lies a world hardly recognizable – a startling world far stranger and more wondrous than expected. The first episode, “What is Space?,” will be available a week in advance of broadcast on PBS for iPad and the PBS apps for the iPhone and iPod touch. The entire series will be available for web and mobile viewing each day following the PBS broadcast schedule.
PBS has made a number of significant technological advances in the past year, including the redesigned PBS.org, debuting new search technology capable of searching within transcribed video, and launching the first PBS app for Android, “Super Why,” in addition to 11 other current apps that have been downloaded more than two million times.
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans — from every walk of life — the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches 124 million people through television and over 20 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. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBSPressroom on Twitter.
Media Contacts:
Carrie Johnson 703-739-5129 cjohnson@pbs.org
Stephanie Aaronson 703-739-5074 saaronson@pbs.org
