Premiering February 17, 2020, STEM-Fueled Season 3 of Multiple Emmy-Winning Series Goes on the Road with New Agents, Locations and Season Finale Guest Star Toni Collette
ODD SQUADCAST and Return of Short-form Spin-off ODDTUBE to Roll Out Later This Year
Pasadena, CA, [January 10, 2020] – PBS KIDS and Fred Rogers Productions today announced the premiere of a new season of family-favorite and multiple Emmy Award-winning series ODD SQUAD. Produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Sinking Ship Entertainment, the third iteration of the series will launch on PBS stations, the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and PBS KIDS digital platforms on February 17, 2020.
Featuring 20 new half-hour episodes, this season of the popular live-action show will take viewers along on adventures all around the world, as Odd Squad hits the road in a Mobile Unit for the first time. The upcoming season will introduce an all-new cast of four intrepid agents—Opal (Valentina Herrera), Omar (Jayce Alexander), Oswald (Gavin MacIver-Wright - Heartland, Sesame Street), and Orla (Alyssa Hidalgo -“Got Milk” campaign) — who will travel together in their custom-outfitted Odd Squad van to tackle oddness wherever they find it. The agents will report back to Ms. O (Millie Davis - Orphan Black), who has been promoted to “The Big O” in the new season. As they travel from New York City to Pittsburgh, Australia to Zambia, and beyond, the agents encounter a range of mysterious characters, including the villainous Sand Queen, played by Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Collette.
In the summer of 2020, fans will get the chance to listen in to the first-ever ODD SQUAD podcast. Odd Squadcast is a serialized podcast that follows “The Big O” as she hosts a weekly radio address for agents all over the world – while simultaneously trying to stop an odd invasion of headquarters. In addition, a new season of OddTube, the digital short-form ODD SQUAD spin-off that debuted its first season with Agent Olympia (Anna Cathcart), will now be hosted by Agent Orla and is set to go live in Fall 2020.
“We’ve heard incredible stories of how ODD SQUAD helps kids feel like they can do anything – seeing endless possibilities to what they can accomplish by feeling like they’re a part of the squad,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “The series’ signature mix of funny and educational content have made it a consistent favorite among our viewers, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to expand the ODD SQUAD universe with a new podcast and digital shorts.”
Recently listed as one of the best kids’ shows of the decade by Common Sense Media, research has shown that ODD SQUAD can have a positive effect on kids’ learning. A live-action series designed to help kids 5-8 build math, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, ODD SQUAD centers on four young agents who are part of the Odd Squad, an agency whose mission is to investigate strange happenings. Every episode features a math concept that the Odd Squad uses to set things right. Season 3 episodes will continue to focus on math, as well as expand upon science, technology, and engineering concepts and principles. To crack each case, the agents use deductive reasoning and logical thinking—along with teamwork and a hefty dose of humor—to explore the “math in the science.”
“We can’t wait for fans to climb aboard and join the new agents for all the oddly-fun, learning-fueled adventures in this latest season,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “With the debut of the ODD SQUAD podcast, and a returning season of the very popular OddTube, too, kids and families will be able to get even closer to all the ‘odd’ action!”
Odd Squad has consistently been one of the most streamed programs across PBS KIDS digital platforms, averaging more than 25 million streams per month.* ODD SQUAD airs daily on PBS stations (check local listings), the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and streams on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Video app. ODD SQUAD was created by Tim McKeon (Helpsters, Adventure Time, Gravity Falls) and Adam Peltzman (Wonder Pets!, Peter Rabbit, Wallykazam!) and is produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Fred Rogers Productions. For more information, visit pbskids.org/oddsquad and follow ODD SQUAD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Odd Squadcast and OddTube were created with major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, as part of its ongoing support for innovation in children’s content.
* Source: Google Analytics Jan ’15 – Nov ’19
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Sinking Ship Entertainment
Sinking Ship Entertainment is an award-winning production, distribution and interactive company specializing in family and kids’ live action and CGI blended content. In 2019 they set their sights on growth and launched a new animation series division. Since opening its doors in 2004, Sinking Ship has produced over 500 hours of content, and through their globally recognized in-house distribution division, has sold to over 200 countries internationally. The company has rapidly earned a global reputation for high quality, groundbreaking original series and companion interactive experiences. Overall, Sinking Ship has won 17 Daytime Emmy® Awards and a variety of other international awards including Canadian Screen Awards, Youth Media Alliance Awards, Fan Chile Awards, Parents Choice Awards, the Shaw Rocket Prize, and the Prix Jeunesse International. In addition to production, Sinking Ship operates a cutting edge VFX and Interactive Studio, creating multi-platform digital experiences and interactive content for audiences around the world. The Toronto-based company is home to over 175 shipmates.
About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter,Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for other updates.
Contacts:
Lubna Abuulbah, PBS KIDS; 703-739-8463; labuulbah@pbs.org
Alison Grand, Grand Communications; 212-584-1133; alison@grandcommunications.com
Gabrielle Torello, Grand Communications; 917-312-2832; gab@grandcommunications.com
