Nonpartisan Research and Advocacy Group for the Well Being of Children Cites PBS as Model of Successful Educational and Non-Violent Programming
Arlington, VA November 12, 2008 - PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!sm programming are among the most education-rich offerings on television, according to a new report released today by independent research and advocacy organization Children Now. With a carefully-selected schedule packed with engaging series designed to boost four key areas of childhood development - cognitive (including literacy, science, technology and math), social, emotional and physical (guiding kids towards healthy living) - PBS continues to be America's top broadcaster for high-quality, educational children's programming.
"We are delighted that our ongoing mission to provide the very best in educational media for children and families has been recognized in this new report by Children Now," said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP Children's Media, PBS. "PBS leverages media, technology and our powerful character role models to guide children in their development of core curriculum skills -- literacy, science, technology, engineering, math and healthy living, and provides specific services for the most disadvantaged communities. Our Web properties extend the on-air learning through customizable games and resources that allow families to meet their child's individual needs."
While most commercial networks that air children's programming only meet the three-hour per week requirement set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996, PBS delivers up to nine hours of solid educational programming each day. The network's on-air offerings also are cited in the study for their age-appropriate and non-violent content. PBS's shows for children and families feature positive character role models that are reflective of its widely-diverse audience. Only PBS has earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. The year 2008 marked the eleventh consecutive year that PBS earned more Daytime Emmys for its children's programming than any other broadcast or cable network.
To reinforce the educational impact of its programming, PBS works with experienced educational film and television producers who involve children, researchers, parents, educators, daycare providers and experts in specific subject-matter throughout the design and production process. PBS and its producers conduct research to determine the best ways to engage and inspire children in active viewing to achieve success in the core curriculum areas that lead the nation's education agenda. PBS KIDS Next Generation Media Advisory Board, composed of experts from top organizations in the country that share a commitment to children's success and development, provides strategic counsel regarding content creation, distribution, business development, education and community impact.
Ongoing national and community-based PBS educational outreach initiatives are strategically designed to extend the educational value of its children's series well beyond the TV screen. PBS KIDS Raising Readers, for example, a five-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Ready To Learn grant and developed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, specifically reaches out to low-income families to help children ages 2 to 8 learn to read. This and other timely "in-the-field" efforts further help PBS remain ahead of the pack and at the apex of educational offerings for children.
For more information on Children Now's "Educationally/Insufficient?" study visit: www.childrennow.org/eireport.
About PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!
In response to the increased number of children facing risks from childhood obesity, PBS KIDS kicked off a children's health initiative to strengthen existing health-related resources and build a cohesive framework for public media to encourage kids and families to make healthier lifestyle choices. The initiative kicked off with the convening of PBS KIDS' Public Media Council on Children's Health in early 2008 and was followed by a virtual summer road trip to health utilizing character role models, resources and content for families and educators. Building long term partnerships with organizations that share a similar mission, such as Produce for Kids, is one of the many examples of PBS KIDS' community-based activities to encourage healthy lifestyles.
PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, offers all children - from every walk of life - the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and outreach content. Like its programming counterpart, PBS resources - including PBS KIDS online (pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! online (pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents (pbsparents.org), PBS Teachers (pbs.org/teachers), PBS KIDS Raising Readers and literacy events across the country - leverage the full spectrum of media and technology advancements as well as community to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. Guiding children towards empowerment for success in school and in life, only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 356 public television stations, serving more than 61 million people each week and reaching 99% of American homes.
-PBS-
Contacts:
Jill Corderman, PBS KIDS; 703.739.5788; jcorderman@pbs.org
Jake Landis, PBS KIDS; 703.739.5362; jwlandis@pbs.org
Alison Grand, Grand Communications, 212.584.1133, alison@grandcommunications.com
www.pbs.org/pressroom