Popular series from the Kratt Brothers Company premieres episodes and new web content grounded in a natural science curriculum
Arlington, VA, October 16, 2012 – PBS KIDS series WILD KRATTS has seen an increase in average audience since last season, and will build on that success this month with new science-focused episodes and online content. WILD KRATTS’ average audience for kids 2-8 is up 30 percent season-to-date above its 2010-2011 season-to-date average.* The popular series will continue this momentum with new episodes this week, followed by four more premieres during “Weird Kratts Week,” October 22-26, and a new spidery Halloween episode on October 31. WILD KRATTS is PBS KIDS’ newest science-focused series, part of the media organization’s commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning for young children.
“PBS KIDS aims to foster the spirit of exploration in all children through content that is both fun and educational, and WILD KRATTS is a landmark series in supporting our mission,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “We’re thrilled to see more and more kids and parents responding to the series, which takes viewers on wildlife adventures and teaches core science concepts like physics and biotechnology along the way.” WILD KRATTS also just launched Creaturepedia, an online animal encyclopedia that includes information on each animal’s creature powers, diet, geographic location and more, as well as video content, available on PBSKIDS.org/wildkratts. 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 towards 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. A full listing of new episodes of WILD KRATTS premiering in October follows. Images of WILD KRATTS and additional information about the series are available on PBS PressRoom, and screeners are available upon request.
October 16, 2012 - #202 “Race for the Hippo Disc” When Chris and Martin accidentally lose a Power Disc on the African savannah, the Wild Kratts go into crisis mode to find the disc before it gets into the hands of Zach Varmitech. Science Concept: Territoriality. October 17, 2012 - #203 “Creature Power Challenge” After getting caught in the middle of a tussle between a grumpy rhino and an outraged elephant, Martin and Chris decide to have a contest to decide what are stronger – elephant or rhino powers. Science Concept: Animals have adaptations for where and how they live.
October 18, 2012 - #204 “Termites vs. Tongues” When Aviva and Koki accidentally miniaturize themselves and get carried away by termites, Martin and Chris must split up to search for them. Science Concept: Predator/prey relationship. October 22, 2012- #129 “Seasquatch”
The Kratt brothers’ sub loses power while they are exploring the strange landscape of the ocean depths and they are trapped on the ocean floor. Aviva must figure out how to harness the energy from the deep sea’s hydrothermal vents in order to save the brothers and return them to the surface. The WILD KRATTS team learns all about the amazing process of chemosynthesis and how deep sea creatures transform toxic chemicals into energy. With a little help from the Yeti crab, Martin and Chris are able to capture the this energy and use it to restart the amphi-sub and return to the surface. Science Concepts: Chemosynthesis; how special deep sea creatures transform such toxic chemicals into energy. October 23, 2012 - #133 “Gecko Effect” There’s a mystery to be solved, as the WILD KRATTS team wonders how a Gecko lizard climbs up smooth surfaces and can even climb upside down. The gang uses the Miniaturizer to shrink and discover it’s all about physics. But in the meantime, Zach has stolen their Miniaturizer and now imprisons them in a glass terrarium. Martin and Chris activate the new Gecko Powers of their Creature Power Suits and must retrieve the Miniaturizer before Zach shrinks all the animals in the creature world. Science Concept: Physics - Objects have electrical charges that attract one another. The gecko's toe pad structure enhances these charges so much that they can “stick to” smooth surfaces.
October 24, 2012 - #139 “Googly Eye” The Kratt brothers secretly “borrow” Aviva’s half-finished night vision goggles to go in search of a mysterious nocturnal creature. But when the unstable goggles stop working, the brothers find themselves taken in by the nocturnal society of the tarsier. Then, when the tarsier troop is in danger of losing one of their own, Chris and Martin must tap into their newfound understanding of nocturnal living and help the troubled tarsier family. Science Concept: Nocturnal-vision creatures are creatures that come out at night. Eyes help a creature see by collecting the light that comes from objects all around. They have a feature called an iris that opens or closes the pupil to let more or less light in. October 25, 2012 - #135 “Quillber” It’s Aviva’s birthday, and Chris and Martin decide to collect shed porcupine quills to make a beautiful necklace as a gift. As they tag along with an African crested porcupine, they discover that animals have different ways to defend themselves from predators, one of which comes in handy to protect the porcupines from Zach’s latest animal collection scheme. Science Concept: Defense strategies; animals have different ways to defend themselves from predators. Some animals, like porcupines, have highly specialized features designed to ward off predators. Porcupine quills are modified hairs, designed by nature into a deadly defense. October 31, 2012 - #208 “Spiders” When the creature adventuring Kratt Brothers take a nasty tumble, the WILD KRATTS team sets off on a mission to find and recreate one of the greatest of all biotech engineering secrets: spider silk. Science Concept: Biotechnology – Humans can develop new objects by taking cues from nature. *Ratings Source: Nielsen NPower, 2011-2012 season through August vs. 2010-2011 season through August About PBS KIDS PBS KIDS, the #1 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, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook. About Kratt Brothers Company Kratt Brothers Company, founded in 1993, has created and produced over 206 episodes of its award-winning television series: KRATTS’ CREATURES, ZOBOOMAFOO, KRATT BROTHERS: BE THE CREATURE, and currently WILD KRATTS. Through its full service animation house, Kratt Brothers Company is currently in production on its second season of 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.comMedia Contacts Maria Vera | PBS KIDS | mvera@pbs.org | 703.739.3225 Caitlin Melnick | 360 Public Relations | cmelnick@360publicrelations.com | 617.585.5775
