Kratt brothers learn to speak “dolphinese” and explore the deep blue sea in new science special premiering on-air January 21 and available on DVD January 22, 2013; new related science games and science videos to launch online
ARLINGTON, VA, December 12, 2012 –PBS KIDS’ popular WILD KRATTS series will have kids and parents diving into a creature adventure on Monday, January 21, with the premiere of a new science special — WILD KRATTS “Lost at Sea.” During the one-hour event, brothers and wildlife explorers Martin and Chris Kratt go under the sea in two new episodes filled with humor, excitement and a whole lot of science. Kids will also be able to explore natural science with the Kratts through new science games and science videos online, and new videos on mobile. In addition, the on-air special will be available on DVD starting January 22.
To kick off the adventure, the Kratts head to the most populated and diverse habitat on Earth — the coral reef — in “Blowfish Blowout.” Then the Wild Kratts decode the secret language of dolphins, among the smartest creatures on Earth, in “Speaking Dolphinese.”
“In ‘Lost at Sea,’ families will go on a creature adventure with Martin and Chris Kratt, trusted guides who bring science concepts to life,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “In this on-air special, as kids swim with dolphins and explore the bustling habitat of the coral reef, they will learn important science concepts along the way, such as animal life cycles and methods of communication.”
On-air special: “Blowfish Blowout” When the miniaturized Kratt bros are swept up and lost in a swath of plankton, they become part of a crowd of fish larvae all headed to the most populated and diverse habitat on Earth — the coral reef. As Aviva and the gang search for them, the lost bros take up residence on the reef alongside a newfound porcupinefish friend, who will hopefully show them how to survive in this fish-eat-fish world until they are rescued. But when Donita shows up searching for a special Sea Crown fit for a fashion queen, the gang must return the favor and rescue their friend.
“Speaking Dolphinese” The Wild Kratts team is on a mission to decode the secret language of one of the smartest creatures on Earth — dolphins! With the help of Aviva’s experimental Dolphin Decoder and two young dolphin tutors, Chris and Martin join a pod and try to speak “dolphinese.” But when their newfound friends are caught in a jam with the dolphins’ only true creature enemy — a hungry shark — the bros are embroiled in a hair-raising rescue mission that tests their new creature language skills.
The one-hour science special premieres on Monday, January 21, on PBS KIDS (check local listings).
Online and on mobile: A new online science game, “Dolphin Dive,” is the first PBS KIDS online game to include real animal sounds! In the game, players can extend their experience in learning about dolphin communication, as they help the Kratt Brothers use their dolphin Creature Power Suits to reunite lost dolphin babies with their pod. Kids can earn their own dolphin Creature Power Suit and then explore a new Coral Reef Habitat. Players will encounter amazing sea animals, as they swim alongside a sea turtle and shark. “Dolphin Dive” will launch in the coming weeks, joining WILD KRATTS’ collection of popular science games.
Both full episodes and clips from “Lost at Sea” will be available on the PBS KIDS Video Player at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App on January 22, 2013.
DVD: PBS Distribution will release WILD KRATTS “Lost at Sea” on DVD on January 22, 2013. The DVD is available for preorder now at: http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=17014596. Details for the DVD follow:
Street Date: January 22, 2013Genre: KidsRun Time: 55 MinutesSRP: $9.99Format: DVD
Produced by the Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Entertainment, WILD KRATTS transforms Martin and Chris Kratt, creators of the award-winning KRATTS’ CREATURES and Emmy-winning ZOBOOMAFOO, into animated versions of themselves, allowing the real-life zoologists to visit wild animals in their little-seen habitats and showcase key science concepts along the way. Geared to kids ages 6 to 8, each episode of WILD KRATTS presents age-appropriate science inspired by the natural abilities of the animals that the Kratt brothers — and young viewers — meet. The series premiered on PBS KIDS in January 2011 and is part of PBS’ ongoing commitment to STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — education for kids.
Images and screeners of WILD KRATTS “Lost at Sea” are available upon request or on PBS PressRoom.
About PBS KIDS PBS 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.
About Kratt Brothers Company Kratt Brothers Company, founded in 1993, has created and produced over 200 episodes of television, including award-winning series: Kratts’ Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Kratt Brothers: Be The Creature and Wild Kratts. Through its full service animation studio, Kratt Brothers Company is currently in production on its third season of the Emmy-nominated hit, Wild Kratts. www.krattbrothers.com
About 9 Story Founded in 2001, 9 Story Entertainment is an award-winning production and distribution company dedicated to delivering the most-loved children’s properties internationally. With 70+ employees and full production and distribution capabilities, 9 Story is a leader in the amazing and magical world of youth entertainment. www.9story.com
About PBS Distribution PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally. Jointly owned by PBS (Arlington, VA) and WGBH (Boston, MA), PBS Distribution extends the reach of public television programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.
PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films (Prohibition, The National Parks, The War, Baseball, Jazz); documentaries from award-winning series NOVA (The Elegant Universe, Origins), FRONTLINE (God in America, Bush’s War, Growing Up Online) and American Experience (Freedom Riders, We Shall Remain); dramas from Masterpiece (Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre, Inspector Lewis); films from independent producers (Easy Yoga for Arthritis, The Buddha, The Story of India, Carrier, Journey into Buddhism, I.O.U.S.A.); and popular children’s programming from Dinosaur Train, Super Why!, WordGirl, Cyberchase, Martha Speaks and Arthur. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution pursues wholesale/retail sales, consumer and educational sales through PBS-branded catalogs and online shops, and international broadcast and video sales. PBS Distribution is also a leader in offering programming through digital platforms including the internet, mobile and web-connected television.
CONTACTS
For PBS KIDS: Maria Vera, PBS, 703-739-3225 / mvera@pbs.org Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations, 617-585-5775 / cmelnick@360publicrelations.com
For PBS Distribution: Jill Goldstein, JGoldsteinPR, 646-251-0908 / jill@jgoldsteinpr.com
