New Expanded Preschool Video Portal Includes Free Full Episodes and
More New Content from Popular Preschool Series -- PBSKIDS.org/video
Arlington, VA, Dec. 3, 2009 - PBSKIDS.ORG today launched the newly expanded PBS KIDS video player giving free, online access to hundreds of streaming, full-length episodes and video clips from some of the most popular PBS KIDS programs -- at PBSKIDSGO.org/video. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the player will premiere two exclusive music videos from DINOSAUR TRAIN, the new hit series from The Jim Henson Company that celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills. "Great Big Dinosaur Holiday in the Snow" is available starting today and "Elvisaurus" will launch mid-December. Both music videos are exclusive previews from the DINOSAUR TRAIN episode "Dinosaurs in the Snow/Cretaceous Conifers," airing on December 14 (check local listings).
"This is the third in a series of innovative video experiences PBS has launched," said Jason Seiken, PBS SVP of Interactive. "Our prime-time video site - video.PBS.org - broke new ground by providing full-length, full-seasons of all the favorite PBS programs. Our video player for early school-age kids - PBSKIDSGO.org/video - is the only site that integrates educational games directly into the videos themselves. The preschool video player will broaden accessibility to our fun, educational content and give parents what they've been asking for - more age-appropriate video content for preschoolers."
The PBS KIDS video player initially showcases content from 14 different series including, CURIOUS GEORGE, SUPER WHY, DINOSAUR TRAIN, SID THE SCIENCE KID, SESAME STREET, ARTHUR, MARTHA SPEAKS, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, DRAGON TALES, BETWEEN THE LIONS, MAMA MIRABELLE'S HOME MOVIES, MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD, WORD WORLD and LOMAX, THE HOUND OF MUSIC. PBS KIDS original video shorts including HOOPER'S ADVENTURES, DOT'S STORY FACTORY and STEVE SONGS music videos will also be featured.
"As the #1 educational media brand and most trusted by parents, PBS KIDS is now providing greater access for families to its world-renowned library of educational preschool content," said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP, Children's Media, PBS. "PBS children's media invites children to explore new worlds and broaden their horizons, no matter where they are, and leverages new technology and platforms to create learning opportunities anywhere, anytime."
PBSKIDS.ORG is one of the most popular online destinations for children as they begin to explore technology, and is often parents' first stop when their children are ready to experience the Web.
PBS KIDS conducted extensive research to understand how to guide preschoolers' learning journeys in the most engaging way. The player helps parents and caregivers navigate video by subjects and curriculum to optimize their children's experience. Features for parents include: educational summary of the goals of each show, links to relevant PBS Parents Web sites ( PBSPARENTS.org), a Share-this-Clip feature, and the ability to browse clips by educational/themed-based topics.
A rotating, consistently-updated set of featured clips changes based on new shows and episodes. Seasonal and thematic clip channels based on children's interests will also be featured. For example, Winter Holidays will be the theme in December. Beginning in January, features will change every week. Themes will include: Family, Eating Right, Team Work, Friends, Sports, Reading, Outdoors, Pets, Exercise, Exploring, and Vacation.
In September 2008, PBS KIDS GO! launched its video player for early elementary school kids ( PBSKIDSGO.org/video), featuring hundreds of video clips and dozens of full-length episodes. The PBS KIDS GO! video player averages 1.3 million streams per week. PBSKIDS.ORG averages nine million unique visitors a month.
Available on both Macs and PCs, the PBS KIDS video player offers closed captioning on selected clips and episodes.
About PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!
PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, offer all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. With positive role models and content designed to nurture a child's total well-being, PBS's children's media and family and educator resources - including PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! television series, PBSKIDS.ORG, PBSKIDSGO.ORG, PBS Parents ( PBSPARENTS.org), PBS Teachers ( PBSTEACHERS.org), PBS KIDS Raising Readers and literacy events across the country - leverage the full spectrum of media, technology and community to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. Empowering children 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. In September 2008, PBS KIDS GO! launched its video player ( PBSKIDSGO.org/video), featuring hundreds of video clips and dozens of full-length episodes. Since launch, the site is averaging 1.3 million streams per week. PBSKIDS.ORG averages nine million unique visitors a month. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 356 public television stations, serving more than 115 million people on-air and online each month. For more information on specific shows supporting literacy, science, math, and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom.
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CONTACTS:
Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations, 617.585.5775 / cmelnick@360publicrelations.com
Kevin Dando, PBS, 703.739.5073 / kdando@pbs.org
Jill Corderman, PBS KIDS, 703.739.5788 / jcorderman@pbs.org
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