For Immediate Release
January 11, 2017

CONTACT: Della Cassia
248-305-3770
dcassia@dptv.org
 

Detroit Public Television Launches Detroit PBS KIDS
A FREE 24/7 Multiplatform localized PBS Kids Channel
January 16, 2017
DPTV Channel 56.2
A special event to announce the channel will take place Friday, January 13, 2017 at MSU’s Extension Center in Detroit featuring PBS’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of  Children’s Media and Education, Lesli Rotenberg and MSU’s President Lou Anna Simon

DETROIT (January 5, 2016) – At a time when media outlets are downsizing, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is announcing the launch of the only FREE channel dedicated to 24/7 PBS Kids programming and accessible to everyone.  Detroit PBS KIDS will also feature a live stream on digital platforms. DPTV will provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on 56.2, in addition to its current primary 56.1 channel, which will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part. As a result, CREATE will move to 56.3 and the WORLD Channel will move to 56.4. DPTV will hold a special event on Friday, January 13 at 8 a.m. at MSU’s Extension Center in Detroit to provide more details about the new channel. The event will feature a special presentation by PBS’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of  Children’s Media and Education, Lesli Rotenberg and MSU’s President Lou Anna Simon.

Detroit PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular favorites such as DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ODD SQUAD, WILD KRATTS, Super WHY!, CLIFFORD, DINOSAUR TRAIN and more; PBS KIDS’ newest series SPLASH AND BUBBLES, NATURE CAT and READY JET GO! will also be featured. The schedule of children’s programming on 56.1 will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options. The full local schedule is available at detroitpbskids.org  

Viewers will be able to watch Detroit PBS KIDS branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices, and tablets. Soon after launch, the live stream will be available on over-the-top platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast. 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.

“DPTV has been an integral part of the community for years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that move the needle in early learning,” said Rich Homberg, DPTV’s President and CEO. “We are excited to build on the work we do every day for our viewers by adding these new 24/7 services to our offerings, which are free and accessible to everyone, thus ensuring that our proven educational content is available anytime and anywhere to all kids – especially those who need it the most.”

In addition, DPTV will continue its partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) that was announced last year to help produce high-quality educational content for children and families on the new Detroit PBS KIDS Channel and other platforms. 

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, DPTV will build on this reach and impact.

Through this effort, DPTV 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% 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]

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About Detroit Public Television
Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. DPTV also manages WRCJ 90.9 FM, Detroit's classical and jazz radio station, in collaboration with the license-holder, the Detroit Public Schools. The radio station is located in the Detroit School of Arts. DPTV is licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation and governed by a volunteer board of trustees from the local business, civic, and cultural communities.

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[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.