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PBS KIDS Educational Programming Tops September Ratings with Six Highest-Ranked Kids Shows for Ages 2-5

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Debuting DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD Sees Immediate Ratings Success, Joining Popular PBS KIDS Series CURIOUS GEORGE and Others

Arlington, VA, Oct. 23, 2012 – PBS KIDS today announced stellar ratings for the month of September 2012. PBS KIDS preschool programs took the top six spots for kids ages 2-5, according to Nielsen NPower national program ratings, the organization’s strongest ratings in ten years.  CURIOUS GEORGE was number one for the ninth consecutive month. THOMAS & FRIENDS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, SUPER WHY!, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and DINOSAUR TRAIN rounded out the top six honors of most viewed programming.  
“September's strong ratings show that PBS KIDS programming is more valuable to America's families than ever, with a growing number of children choosing PBS programs as their favorites,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “Moms* also showed their appreciation for our content by selecting five PBS shows in their top six series.”

Having premiered in September, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD is the newest addition to the PBS KIDS lineup and has quickly proven to be a favorite with young children. In addition to ranking number 5 among kids 2-5 last month, the series was PBS KIDS’ top program streamed online and on mobile.  Focused on addressing the social and emotional needs of kids ages 2-4, the program continues the important legacy of Fred Rogers, one of the early pioneers in free, educational public media for children.

In addition to on-air content, PBS KIDS continues to play a leadership role in the development of educational digital content for kids. TIME Magazine recently named PBSKIDS.org one of the “50 Best Websites 2012.”  And with 22 mobile apps currently available, PBS KIDS consistently earns accolades for its quality digital resources. Most recently, the free PBS KIDS Video App was included on Babble.com’s list of 50 Best Apps for Parents 2012, and TIME.com included the SUPER WHY! app in its Top 25 iPad Apps for Kids roundup in September.

As high ratings, online and mobile content usage demonstrate, PBS KIDS is increasingly serving children wherever they live, learn and play – on TV, online, through mobile devices and in the classroom.

*PBS KIDS was number one among moms ages 18-49 with children under the age of 3 in September 2012. CURIOUS GEORGE, SUPER WHY!, DINOSAUR TRAIN and THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! took the top slots; THOMAS & FRIENDS ranked sixth.

Ratings source: Program Ratings are Live+7 AA 8/27/2012 – 9/30/2012; Nielsen NPower

Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLP. Television series: ©2012. Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

About PBS KIDSPBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS programs supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom. Follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

Contacts: Maria Vera, PBS; 703.739.3225; mvera@pbs.org  Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations; 617.585.5775; cmelnick@360publicrelations.com