WFSU Public Media to launch free localized 24/7 multiplatform PBS Kids services

WFSU Public Media has announced it will launch new, free localized 24/7 children’s services on Jan. 16, 2017. Provided by WFSU Public Media, the free services include a new TV channel and live stream on digital platforms.

The effort is WFSU’s latest initiative to support early learning in the community. WFSU Public Media will broadcast PBS KIDS shows 24 hours a day on an additional television channel called WFSU KIDS 360 and offer a live stream, making it easy for Big Bend children to watch their favorite series during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high. Viewers will be able to watch the WFSU Public Media branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and tablets. The live stream complements on-demand clips and full episodes, which will continue to be available for free on the PBS KIDS Video App and streaming via pbskids.org. 

Following its initial launch, the localized live stream experience will expand to offer an integrated games feature, enabling children to toggle between a PBS KIDS show and an activity that extends learning — all in one seamless digital experience. The live stream and games feature is grounded in research demonstrating that measurable gains in learning are achieved when children engage with PBS KIDS content on multiple platforms. The games will align with the learning goals of each TV series, deepening children’s involvement and supporting learning. 

“PBS is the nation’s most trusted provider of educational media for children and WFSU Public Media has been an education leader in the community for years, providing quality educational content on-air and online as well as on the ground services to childcare providers, schools and families through innovative programs such as the Ready To Learn and American Graduate,” said David Mullins, general manager of WFSU Public Media. Providing 24/7 access to quality education programming offers new opportunities to support educational goals for all of our families.” 

PBS stations reach more kids aged 2-5, more moms with children under 6 years old and more children from low-income families than any other kids TV network.[i] With its new 24/7 channel and digital offerings, WFSU Public Media will build on this reach and impact. 

Through this effort, WFSU Public Media will extend its commitment to early learning by offering more families high-quality PBS KIDS content that is trusted by parents and proven to help kids learn. In a recent survey, PBS KIDS led all networks in improving kids’ behavior, with 74 percent of parents saying their child exhibits more positive behavior after engaging with PBS KIDS.[ii] And years of research confirm that PBS KIDS media content helps children build critical skills that enable them to find success in school and life, while also helping parents increase their own engagement. A recent study conducted by WestEd found that PBS KIDS resources can help narrow the math achievement gap for children from low-income families and better prepare them for kindergarten. Additionally, parents’ awareness of their children’s math learning increased significantly – as did their use of strategies to support their children’s learning.[iii] 

Designed to meet the needs of today’s kids, WFSU Public Media’s new, free 24/7 services will provide learning opportunities for children whenever and wherever they access media. Nielsen data demonstrate that live TV is the dominant way children access video, accounting for 67 percent of the time children spend watching video content.[iv] Most kids’ TV viewing takes place on weeknights and weekend afternoons and evenings.[v] This trend is true for all children, but especially for those in low-income families.[vi]

The WFSU’s PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular favorites such as DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ODD SQUAD, WILD KRATTS and DINOSAUR TRAIN; PBS KIDS’ newest series SPLASH AND BUBBLES, NATURE CAT and READY JET GO! will also be featured. WFSU Public Media will provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on Channel 11.4 in the greater Tallahassee area and Channel 56.4 in Panama City. PBS KIDS 24/7 will also be on Comcast Channel 203. WFSU Public Media primary channel will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part. The schedule of children’s programming on the primary WFSU channel will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options. The full local schedule is available at www.wfsu.org. Please note that this is a an entirely new stream. Over-the-air-only TV access will need to rescan their antenna. 

The 24/7 PBS KIDS offering is an integral part of WFSU Public Media’s long-term vision for its children’s service and will build on its reach and impact in the community, where it provides essential services for kids, parents and teachers. WFSU Public Media is committed to informing, educating and inspiring our community through our on-air, online and on the ground resources. Through our Ready To Learn services we provide innovative educational programs to local childcare centers, schools and families. We partner with organizations that support educational efforts in the community.  

About WFSU Public Media
WFSU-TV, WFSU-FM and 4fsu in Tallahassee and WFSG-TV and WFSW-FM in Panama City provide tremendous educational opportunities and resources through our programming and educational outreach. WFSU/WFSG-TV reaches more than 425,000 households.  WFSU-FM 88.9 is one of the top ten stations nationally in the AQH Metro Share and Metro Cume ratings.  Weekly, over 63,000 listeners tune in to 88.9FM. Licensed through Florida State University, WFSU is a multimedia community resource that connects our audiences to current affairs, news, cultural affairs and education issues.

[i] Nielsen NPOWER L+7 9/21/2015-9/18/2016 M-Su 6A-6A TP reach, 50% unif., 6+ min. K2-5, LOH 18-49w/C<6, K2-11 in HH w/Inc<$20K.

[ii] Understanding School Preparedness, Smarty Pants, 2014.

[iii] Learning with PBS KIDS: A Study of Family Engagement and Early Mathematics Achievement, WestEd, 2015.

[iv] Nielsen Total Audience Report 2Q2016.

[v] Nielsen NPOWER Live PUT, 9/21/2015-9/18/2016, K2-11 select dayparts.

[vi] Nielsen NPOWER Live PUT, 9/21/2015-9/18/2016, K2-11 M-F 6-10P, M-F 6A-12N, K2-11 in HH w/Inc<$20K.