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PBS has announced it will launch new 24/7 children’s services later this year. Provided by local stations, the free services include a new TV channel and live stream on digital platforms. Viewers will be able to watch the station-branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS Kids app, which is already available on Apple TV (as well as on a variety of mobile devices, tablets and over-the-top platforms).

The live stream complements on-demand clips and full episodes, which will continue to be available for free on the PBS Kids.

The PBS Kids 24/7 channel will include popular favorites, such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Wild Kratts and Dinosaur Train; the new series Nature Cat and Ready Jet Go!, which debuted February 15; and SPLASH (w.t.), a series from The Jim Henson Company that will premiere in fall 2016.

Stations will be able to provide the PBS Kids 24/7 channel in addition to their current primary PBS channel, which will continue to feature a PBS Kids day part. The schedule of children’s programming on the primary PBS channel will be different from the 24/7 channel, “offering families a variety of options.”

Following its initial launch, the 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.

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