eToonz Has Been Licensing Content From Former DStv Channel

MultiChoice had lost a total of 11 TV channels in the previous financial year namely Emmanuel TV, M-Net's Me and 1Magic and B4U Movies. Amidst this, the company was part of a takeover procedure by Canal+ which had concluded not long ago.

PBS Kids is an educational brand operated by Public Broadcasting System which offered content for viewers aged 4 to 9. The channel formed part of the various cuts at MultiChoice with shows suddenly appearing on eToonz.

eToonz is only licensed to consumers in South Africa and operated by eMedia Investments. Following PBS Kids' closure, various shows from the brand to have now been seen in the region include WordWorld, Let's Go Luna and Pinkalicious & Peterrific.

PBS Kids was accessible to the same as eToonz being DStv Easyview so consumers aren't necessarily missing out on much. Unlike those residing outside of the region who would need to access the latter on Showmax or on YouTube.

But the reality is that eToonz is not PBS Kids as they offer lesser content from the brand. The same can be said about Universal TV and Bravo after MultiChoice opted to axe 1Magic and Me consumers on those packages can't see shows like America's Got Talent or Yellowstone.

Companies like MultiChoice believe that by merging channels or not replacing removed ones would ensure an enhanced viewing experience. When consumers would have to pay the same amount for even less and opt to find alternatives alongside cancelling their subscription.

Important Notice: PBS KIDS Will End Its Run On DStv With Peep And The Big Wide World

PBS KIDS is scheduled to close by the end of the month making it the 12th channel to exit DStv and with its lifespan in Africa growing a lot shorter. The channel opted to reduce its content to just three shows Peep And The Big Wide World, Elinor Wonders Why and Arthur.

MultiChoice hasn't stated whether any of the content viewed on PBS KIDS will eventually resurface on another TV channel. But Brand & Rights 360 who now manage the distribution of PBS KIDS shows had licensed content various broadcasters around the world with Showmax included.

Below is the final schedule of the channel before it ends transmission:

23:55 Peep And The Big Wide World

00:20 WordWorld

00:45 It's A Big Big World

01:15 Pinkalicious & Peterrific

01:40 Arthur

02:10 Wild Kratts

02:35 Martha Speaks

03:05 Nature Cat

03:30 Peep And The Big Wide World

03:50 WordWorld

04:20 It's A Big Big World

05:00 Arthur

05:25 Arthur

05:55 Peep And The Big Wide World

06:15 Peep And The Big Wide World

06:40 Elinor Wonders Why

07:05 Elinor Wonders Why

07:30 Elinor Wonders Why

08:25 Arthur

08:55 Arthur

09:20 Peep And The Big Wide World

09:45 Peep And The Big Wide World

10:05 Elinor Wonders Why

10:35 Elinor Wonders Why

11:00 Elinor Wonders Why

11:55 Arthur

12:25 Arthur

12:50 Peep And The Big Wide World

13:15 Peep And The Big Wide World

13:35 Elinor Wonders Why

14:00 Elinor Wonders Why

14:30 Elinor Wonders Why

15:25 Arthur

15:55 Arthur

16:20 Peep And The Big Wide World

16:45 Peep And The Big Wide World

17:05 Elinor Wonders Why

17:30 Elinor Wonders Why

18:00 Elinor Wonders Why

18:55 Arthur

19:25 Arthur

19:50 Peep And The Big Wide World

20:15 Peep And The Big Wide World

20:35 Elinor Wonders Why

21:00 Elinor Wonders Why

21:25 Elinor Wonders Why

22:25 Arthur

22:50 Arthur

23:20 Peep And The Big Wide World

23:40 Peep And The Big Wide World

Notes

• Elinor Wonders Why has the most airtime on the channel with 15 slots followed by Peep And The Big Wide World with 14 slots.

• Pinkalicious & Peterrific, Wild Kratts, Martha Speaks and Nature Cat are least aired shows as they obtain 1 slot.

Channel Closure: PBS Kids Will Stop Airing On DStv And GOtv Across Africa By 31 August 2024

PBS KIDS is an educational brand for children aged 2 to 8 years offering shows like Arthur, Wild Kratts, Cyberchase and Dinosaur Train. Operated by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), Africa was the only international market to offer the brand following its closure in Australia in 2023.

Through the electronic programme guide (EPG), it was revealed that the last international feed will stop airing on DStv by the end of August. This would be the 12th TV channel to go dark on the platform in the year alongside People's Weather, Africa Magic Urban and Ginx TV.

We are told that MultiChoice would be extending the reach of existing TV channel likely for their Easyview consumers.

In 2022, PBS KIDS unveiled a new on air look which was designed to build on the equity and strength of the brand for today's digitally focused viewers. The blue was incorporated to acknowledge the main PBS brand with the green from its previous logo targeting younger audiences.

Two years have passed since its introduction, the feed currently seen on MultiChoice's DStv still retained the former PBS KIDS logo and also content received little marketing from PBS Distribution and MultiChoice which led to speculation of its possible demise as seen in Australia. 

Similar to WildEarth, it's likely that PBS Distribution opted to remove their channel from DStv as part of some corporate restructure.

Brand & Rights 360 took over distribution of PBS KIDS with the aim of introducing its shows to broadcasters in new territories, ensuring more children and families worldwide can enjoy enriched content. This partnership comes amid growing demand for premium children’s content across global markets.

In short, PBS KIDS which had very little presence in other countries needed a partner to help it get more exposure in these regions. That's the same story we got with Paramount+ that at some point planned to rollout a standalone service in Africa before bundling with Showmax. 

Corporate at Paramount had mentioned that getting Paramount+ in all regions wasn't that much a priority as long as they had Mission Impossible and NCIS content that generates income. In PBS KIDS case that was very much lacking outside of Arthur hence the demise of the 24 hour feed in Africa.

PBS International Partners With Brands & Rights 360 To Expand Global Presence In Kids Markets

PBS International, the global distribution and co-production arm of PBS Distribution, announce a strategic partnership with Madrid-based marketing and commercial company Brands & Rights 360. In a unified effort, Brands & Rights 360 will collaborate with PBS International’s recently restructured children’s sales team, which includes Andrea Burton, Jamie Shata, and Sabrina Hall Aguirre, to serve as sales agent for PBS KIDS content. 

As part of this partnership, Brands & Rights 360 will work with international broadcasters, leveraging their extensive network and expertise in the industry to maximize the reach and impact of PBS KIDS award-winning content which includes Arthur, Lyla in the Loop and Elinor Wonders Why. With a shared dedication to delivering high-quality programming, PBS International and Brands & Rights 360 are poised to introduce PBS KIDS shows to broadcasters in new territories, ensuring more children and families worldwide can enjoy enriched content.

'We are thrilled to welcome Brands & Rights 360 to our international sales team for PBS KIDS content', said Andrea Downing, President of PBS Distribution. 'Their deep understanding of the global kids' market and proven track record of success make them an ideal partner'.

Brands & Rights 360 is known for its selective approach to partnerships, taking on a few, carefully chosen, high-quality and diverse animation and live action titles and brands with a  strong potential in the international market. This aligns perfectly with PBS International's commitment to delivering content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires young minds.

'We are delighted to work with PBS International to distribute their high-quality and award-winning children’s programming', said Ignacio (Iñaki) Orive, President of Brands & Rights 360. 'We look forward to bringing the wonderful PBS KIDS titles to many more international linear channels and digital platforms to reach families worldwide'.

This partnership comes at a time of growing demand for premium children's content across global markets, with families increasingly seeking programming that combines entertainment with educational value.

Could PBS Kids Be The Next Channel To Exit The DStv And GOtv Platform?

PBS Kids is an American based children's brand operated by PBS Distribution. Ranked as the #1 educational brand, it invites parents and children to experience this trusted content that helps children learn and grow through shows like Arthur, WordWorld and Molly Of Denali.

The channel was made available in Africa by 2019 and since last year remains the only international market following its departure from Australia. This was after MultiChoice added various content exclusively to DStv Stream as part of an experiment.

This was the feedback given by MultiChoice after adding content from PBS Kids in 2018:

"We received a lot of positive feedback from our viewers when PBS Kids was made available on DStv Now [now DStv Stream] and our parents appreciate the fact that DStv is providing the kind of kids' programming that will help to make them classroom ready, while also keeping them entertained".

Foxtel had opted to discontinue carriage of the channel in Australia two years after it launched in Africa based on performance and popularity of its content. Since then, consumers were recommended to browse shows on Cartoon Network and CBeebies. 

MultiChoice had cutback or lost at least 9 nine TV channels in under 3 months including Emmanuel TV, B4U Movies and People's Weather. No new channels were launched and none of these affected brands were replaced.

Although PBS Kids has brought fun and engaging content, the channel hasn't been productive in terms of new programming. The inclusion of PBS Kids had contributed to MultiChoice's boost in educational content with Moonbug and Da Vinci Kids. 

PBS Kids Unveils Slate Of Content Including New Series ‘Tiny Time Travel’ and ‘Milo,’ Movies Based On ‘Wild Kratts’ And ‘Nature Cat’

PBS Kids has lined up a slate of new series, movies and shorts for audiences across the United States and later around the world.

The slate includes the premiere of Tiny Time Travel, a series of live-action shorts, along with new Wild Kratts and Nature Cat movies. In addition, PBS Kids will debut season four of Molly of Denali, along with new series Milo, new shorts series Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories and new episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

PBS Kids, which targets children ages 2-8, aims to help children “to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way.”

“This spring, PBS Kids provides an opportunity for families to embark on exciting adventures with kids’ favorite characters, and a chance to meet some new ones, too,” said Sara DeWitt, senior vp and general manager of PBS Kids. “Our content this season aims to nurture an appreciation of the natural world among our young audiences while also sharing important life lessons and reinforcing some of the key social skills kids need for success in school and beyond.”

Kicking off the spring lineup on March 15 is Tiny Time Travel, a new series of “funny and fast-paced” live-action shorts. The series follows an 11-year-old inventor, Tyler, and his outgoing best friend, Tony, as they use their time machine to go back in time a tiny bit (sometimes just a few minutes or hours) to solve problems in their neighborhood, like stopping a friend from spoiling a movie or giving a customer a re-do after an ordering mistake at a restaurant. 

The show, aimed at kids ages 5-8, teaches social language skills, like understanding nonverbal communication; taking others’ perspectives into account; and resolving miscommunication. The series is created by Tim McKeon (Odd Squad, Gravity Falls) and produced by Marobru Productions and Easy as Pie Productions. 

Molly of Denali, which will return March 25, follows the adventures of 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl who lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska. The new episodes follow Molly as she continues exploring with friends and family, from tracking down a fallen meteorite with Tooey, to connecting with her heritage by building a kiidhah zhee (a traditional steam bath) to help cure her mom’s cold, to helping a rival basketball team find an authentic mascot to represent their team. The show, produced by GBH Boston, also incorporates media literacy learning.

Meanwhile, the Wild Kratts and Nature Cat movies, derived from the two series, premiere April 1 and April 22, respectively. A new Wild Kratts game, “World Rescue,” will be available on the PBS Kids Games app and pbskids.org, with new episodes of the show premiering April 2. Meanwhile, the Nature Cat movie features three original songs written by Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner Bill Sherman and performed by the cast: Taran Killam, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Moynihan and Kate Micucci. Chris Parnell is also in the voice cast. In addition, a new short-form series, Nature Chat With Nature Cat, will debut digitally on April 22.

Another new series, Milo, will premiere across PBS Kids streaming platforms on May 13. The show, co-produced by Fourth Wall and DeAPlaneta Entertainment, follows an adventurous cat who loves to use role-play to explore the amazing world of jobs and vocations with his best friends, Lofty and Lark. Milo, who loves meeting all of the different people who come into his parents’ dry-cleaning shop, is curious about what it would be like to be a fireman, detective, astronaut and many other kinds of jobs when he grows up. 

Meanwhile, new episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood premiere May 6, exploring concepts like putting things away and finding surprises wherever we are.

New short form series Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories, which premieres May 27 across streaming platforms, derive from the puppet series Donkey Hodie. The shorts are designed to fit into kids’ bedtime routines and feature characters reading bedtime stories and showing their strategy for calming down before bed.

News Shorts: SuperSport Motorsport Opens Up To DStv Compact And Compact Plus Customers In Time For The F1 Season, Undercover Billionaire Returns On Discovery Family For Season 2 And PBS Kids Loads Up On Civics And Media Literacy With New Shorts

Undercover Billionaire returns for season 2

With just $100 in their pockets, three business titans are dropped in unfamiliar cities, stripped of their names, money and contacts and given a simple challenge: Build a $1 million business in just 90 days.

First TX: 13 March 

TX Day: Weekdays 

TX Time: 19:40

SuperSport Motorsport opening up to more DStv customers

The 2024 Formula 1 season will be the longest campaign on record with 24 races and six Sprint events from March 2nd to December 8th. There were 24 races planned for 2023, but the cancellation of the Chinese GP due to COVID-travel restrictions and Emilia Romagna due to floods reduced the number to 22.

MultiChoice will be making the F1 on SuperSport Motorsport accessible to DStv Compact+ and Compact from 28 February to 11 March.

PBS KIDS enters the classroom

PBS KIDS has commissioned a collection of themed content touching on civics and media literacy in order to address a learning gap that isn’t being well-served by the US school system.

On the greenlit list is Sesame Workshop’s new series of 20 Together We Can music videos for four-to-eight-year-olds, exploring topics such as rights, voting and what it means to be part of a community. 

PBS KIDS is also reupping its civics-focused City Island series of three-minute shorts for a second season, plus working on a City Island Sings spinoff (10 music videos). The next batch of 20 City Island episodes will tackle media literacy topics like news, advertising and fact-based reporting for six to 10s in an expanded 2D-animated story world.

2024 On Regular Nick (Upcoming Kids And Family/Animated Series) | Cartoon Network | Disney Channel | Nickelodeon | More Brands Including DreamWorks, Netflix, eToonz And Play Room

Cartoon Network/Max/Cartoonito

• Ijanu: Child Of Wonder: A teenage orphan girl with no recollection of her past who suddenly discovers that she has hidden powers that rival the Divine Ones themselves. 

• Hero Inside: The adventure begins after Scott, a cartoonist and free spirit, mysteriously vanishes after drawing 100 superheroes across 100 comic books, without ever publishing. His proofread books scattered across San Francisco, triggering odd occurrences.

• Totally Spies!: The anime-inspired toon about three female teens balancing spy missions and high school drama

• Invincible Fight Girl: The series follows Andy, a young girl who dreams of becoming the greatest pro wrestler of all time.

• Tiny Toons Looniversity: Babs, Buster and friends enroll at Acme Looniversity, the premier institution of higher hijinx learning.

• Jessica's Big Little World: Jessica navigates her way through a world where everything seems much bigger than she is; inspired by the grown-ups around her, she persists in conquering monumental children's tasks.

• Barney's World: Set in a local playground, Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves and other.

• Silly Sundays: A feel-good comedy series, full of heart and deeply rooted in familial themes, everything centers around Sonia, Hugo, Mel, Mom, Dad and Granny as they create unforgettable memories together during their weekend gatherings. • Spookies: Set in Castle Ravenrock, Spookies stars three wee ghosts who discover something new behind every cobwebbed corner and dusty stairwell.

• Lana Longbeard: Lana is a super-feisty, forward thinking and passionate 11-year-old girl, who is also the heir to her father's adventuring ship, the Mighty Windbreaker.

• New Tom And Jerry Shorts: the first ever Asian produced Tom And Jerry series, featuring the famous cat and mouse duo as they take their rivalry to Singapore.

• Karters: Set in a fantastical island world, the game lets players collect and tame mystical creatures called Temtem, which can be used for battling, trading with friends and breeding to create offspring with new powers.

• Kite Man: Hell-Yeah!: Kite Man and Golden Glider take their relationship to the next level by opening a bar in the shadow of Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. 

Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney+

• Pretty Freakin Scary: After her sudden demise, Frankie Ripp, a 14-year-old girl, agrees to a deal with the Grim Reaper that she would go back home but accompanied by her underground parents.

• Ariel: It follows eight-year-old mermaid princess Ariel as she and her friends embark on fun-filled, action-packed underwater adventures throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica and beyond.

• Marvel Zombies: Re-imagines the marvel universe as a new generation of heroes battle against an ever spreading zombie scourge.

• StuGo: an original animated series about six overambitious middle schoolers who are tricked into attending a fake academic summer camp by a mad scientist. 

• Dragon Strikers: When the world’s most popular sport combines with magic, awesomeness escalates quicker than a dragon-powered strike! 

• Doomies: When best friends Bobby and Romy mistakenly open a gateway to another world, they turn their sleepy coastal town into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. 

• Cars On The Road: Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater head east from Radiator Springs on a cross-country road trip to meet up with Mater's sister.

• Princess Sam: this CG-animated show stars a girl who travels to a magical planet to learn how to control her powers and defeat evil villains.

• X-Men' 97:  It serves as a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–97), and the plot will continue where the original series left off. 

• Tiana: Tiana continues to explore New Orleans in a musical series.

• Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man: will be a unique take on one of Marvel’s most famous superheroes, with surprising connections to the MCU. 

• Princess Sam: this CG-animated show stars a girl who travels to a magical planet to learn how to control her powers and defeat evil villains.

• Moana: The Series: Moana and her friends continue to explore the South Pacific in this musical animated series.

• Playdate with Winnie the Pooh follows a young Pooh Bear as he enjoys playdates with his friends. Set in the exciting outdoors of the Hundred Acre Wood, these musical shorts emphasize collaborative play and the joy of spending time with others. 

Nickelodeon/Nick Jr/Paramount+

• Erin & Aaron: Teenage stepsiblings navigate their new lives after their parents' marriage, and find strength in their shared passion for music.

• Hamsters of Hamsterdale: This series, produced by Nelvana, follows a motley crew of hamsters, the heroic protectors of their 8-year-old owner Harry, who they mistake as their King and beloved ruler of their elaborate colorful-tubed kingdom.

• HexVet And Magic Pets: follows unlikely best friends Nan and Clarion as they navigate life's weird and wacky challenges, while apprenticing to be magical veterinarians for fantastical creatures.

• Super Duper Bunny League: centers on a diverse group of bunny friends who must battle danger as they defend their city and the world from their archnemesis. 

• Avatar: The Last Airbender: The series will be an authentic adaptation of the award-winning and beloved Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender reimagined as a live-action adventure.

• Rock, Paper & Scissors: Follows 3 roommates on their hijinks, ridiculous adventures and shared love of wacky nonsense.

• Dora: The series, tentatively titled ¡Dora!, is described as a reimagining of the classic animated show which “promises to strike the perfect balance between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the fresh.” 

• Live-Action Dora Series: Nickelodeon's beloved Latina heroine is returning with a brand new live-action series! Not much is currently known about the show, however, it'll be aimed at kids 6-11, and will be in the vein of the 2019 live-action feature film Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which follows an older Dora!.

• Zokie of Planet Ruby: This buddy comedy, produced by Nelvana, follows quirky 10-year-old vlogger Ruby and her space alien best friend ZJ Sparkleton.

• Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Turtles, as teenagers, deal with their new life as heroes while also dealing with the pressures of going to high school in New York City.

Other

• Lyla in the Loop (PBS Kids): is a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8 about Lyla Loops and her fantastical blue sidekick, Stu, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to help their family, friends, and community!

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (eToonz, Play Room): After getting exposed to a mutant substance, four turtles become giants and start speaking and walking upright. They are trained by a wise rat, Splinter, in order to defeat an evil man, Shredder.

• Power Rangers (Play Room): It revolves around a team of youths recruited and trained by a mentor to morph into the eponymous Power Rangers, able to use special powers and pilot immense assault machines, called Zords, to overcome the periodic antagonists. 

• Pokémon Horizons: The Series (Cartoon Network, eToonz): This series introduces two new protagonists, Liko and Roy, who team up with the Rising Volt Tacklers, a group of adventurers that explore the Pokémon world and visit various regions, including the Paldea region.

• Dragon Ball: Daima (Cartoon Network, SABC 2): new canonical mainline anime set around the same time as when Super takes place. Fans also get a look at the apparent upcoming antagonists for the anime, who’ve seemingly been watching the Z Fighters and all their past struggles this entire time.

• Masters of the Universe: Revolution (Netflix): Skeletor's final assault on Castle Grayskull caused his own demise, put an end to He-Man , and damaged the source of all magic in existence. After their battle fractured Eternia, Teela must solve the mystery of the missing Sword of Power to prevent the end of the Universe. 

• Carl The Collector (PBS Kids): follows the everyday adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who loves collecting things. His talents – a laser-focus pursuit of his goals, attention to detail, and a distinctive way of looking at and experiencing the world around him.

• Hazbin Hotel (Amazon Prime Video): The series follows Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen), the princess of Hell, as she sets about fulfilling her seemingly impossible dream of opening a hotel called the "Happy Hotel," which aims to rehabilitate sinners.

• PeekeeBoo (Moonbug): The preschool project, featuring 2D animation with CG-animated backgrounds, will star three tiny creatures (Pea, Kee and Boo) who are enthralled by all of the sights and sounds of nature.

• Moonrise (Netflix): A young man from Earth enlists in the army to attack rebels on the Moon, only to find that his former best friend has become his enemy.

• Noah's Park (Play Room): The little animals have left Noah's Ark and find each other sharing fun and adventure, and a few life lessons in NOAH'S PARK.

• Game Shakers (eToonz): Babe and Kenzie create a popular application named Sky Whale. However, rapper Double G threatens to ruin their business because he finds out they have been using his song without permission.

• Time Patrol Bon (Netflix): The story focuses on Bon Namihira, a teenager who becomes part of a team of time-traveling agents tasked with saving people's lives during major historical events that happen across different eras and locations around the globe.

• Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft

Asterix (Netflix): The series will be adapted from one of the classic volumes, Asterix and the Big Fight, where the Romans, after being constantly embarrassed by Asterix and his village cohorts, organize a brawl between rival Gaulish chiefs and try to fix the result by kidnapping a druid along with his much-needed magic potion. I’m not giving anything away when I tell you, it doesn’t go as planned.

• Dee & Friends In Oz: A young girl named Dee discovers a wonderful magical land of Oz, where she meets new friends and is challenged to save the day, and save Oz!.

• Hot Wheels Let's Races (Netflix): Follows the newest generation of racers as they experience mind-blowing races, extreme stunt contests, and thrill-seeking challenges.

• Megamind's Guide To Defending Your City (DreamWorks): The series will chronicle the new hero's quest to become a social media influencer and a true superhero. 

• Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (DreamWorks): Tells the story of dinosaur fanatic Darius Bowman, who visits Camp Cretaceous and, as per all prior Jurassic movies, the dinosaurs manage to get loose and cause untold chaos and destruction.

• Mighty MonsterWheelies (DreamWorks): Which reimagines classic characters as half-monster, half-truck vehicle heroes who team up to use their special powers to serve and protect the all-vehicle city of Motorvania from troublemakers like Phantom Freeze and Invisible Van.

• Exploding Kittens (Netflix): An eternal conflict reaches epic proportions when both, God and the Devil, are sent to Earth in the bodies of chunky house cats.

• Devil May Cry (Netflix): is an upcoming American adult animated dark fantasy action streaming television series based on the video game franchise of the same name by Capcom and part of Adi Shankar's Bootleg Multiverse.

• Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Netflix): Monsters follows Ryuma, a samurai from Wano, a country also featured in the One Piece universe. In a world disrupted by a menacing force, Ryuma must navigate the chaos caused by a powerful dragon with the ability to bring catastrophic havoc.

PBS KIDS Greenlights Its First Series Built Around Autistic Characters

PBS KIDS has commissioned Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures to produce Carl the Collector, its first series featuring a cast of characters who are on the autism spectrum.

Set for a fall 2024 premiere, this 2D-animated concept for four- to eight-year-olds was created by New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Zachariah OHora (My Cousin Momo).

Carl the Collector centers around an autistic raccoon who is smart and energetic, but who struggles with anxiety in new situations and when things don’t go according to plan. He has a huge collection of things (from the perfect fake mustache for a disguise, to a soft plushie when a friend is in need) to help him solve whatever problems his friends, who are both on and off the spectrum, are facing.

The PBS greenlight is for 40 x 22-minute episodes (each one tells two 11-minute stories). Canadian studio Yowza! Animation (Green Eggs and Ham) will handle the animation, Spiffy Pictures co-founder Adam Rudman (Donkey Hodie ) is working on scripts as head writer, and OHora will executive produce.

Advisors on board include Dr. Geraldine Oades-Sese, a licensed child psychologist and kids book author; and Stephen Shore, an autistic professor of special education at New York’s Adelphi University. “Carl the Collector will become a great tool for both autistic and non-autistic people to gain insight on autism,” says Shore.

PBS KIDS-MAS! PBS KIDS South Africa Offers A Santa Sack Full Of Christmas Content For The School Holidays

Get ready for 12 Days of PBS Kids-mas, a festive extravaganza filled with 12 interactive activities designed to bring families closer and create memorable holiday moments.

PBS Kids South Africa encourages families to keep young hearts merry and bright with a diverse range of activities and content that the whole family can enjoy together. From recipes that spark culinary creativity to heartwarming e-books and fun dance lessons, there's something for everyone in our holiday Santa-sack.

In the 12 days leading up to Christmas, PBS Kids encourages families to visit https://pbskids.org/ and take part in the below activities designed for the whole family to enjoy:

1. Recipes: Whip up delicious holiday treats and share the joy of cooking with your kids.

2. Daniel Tiger e-Book: Delve into a heartwarming tale with Daniel Tiger that will capture the imaginations of young readers.

3. Learn to Dance: Get your groove on and learn some new dance moves, perfect for holiday gatherings.

4. Molly of Denali Podcast: Listen to thrilling adventures on the go – ideal for a road trip during the holiday break.

5. PBS Kids Rocks Album: Enjoy a musical journey with PBS Kids, perfect for singing along during road trips.

6. Prepare for a Trip with Molly: Add colour to your holiday preparations with a fun colouring activity featuring Molly.

7. Animal Bingo: Engage in a creative craft activity that is sure to entertain and educate young minds.

8. Donkey Hodie: Let your kids' creativity run wild with a Donkey Hodie colouring adventure.

9. PBS Kids App: Access a treasure trove of new videos every week and discover valuable parent resources.

10. PBS Kids Wash and Sing: Make bath time a blast with fun songs and entertainment.

11. PBS Kids Games: Play and learn together with exciting PBS Kids games.

12. Tune in to New Episodes of Martha Speaks: Join Martha, the talking dog, on her latest adventures. New episodes air weekdays at 4pm from Monday, 18 December only on DStv Channel 313.

Development Alert: Wild Kratts Encourages Empathy For Animals During World Animal Month Across Africa On PBS Kids

This World Animal Month, the beloved PBS Kids series "Wild Kratts" is back with Season 4, airing weekdays at 4pm from 2 October on DStv Channel 313. Known for its thrilling blend of science education and adventure, "Wild Kratts" aims to instill empathy for animals in young viewers.

"Wild Kratts" is not your typical wildlife show. With over a decade of live-action animal footage, the Kratt brothers bring the natural world to life, making science and natural history accessible to kids.

Key Empathy Concepts from "Wild Kratts":

Everything has needs: The series teaches that all living creatures share fundamental needs like food, shelter, and care.

Unique needs: Viewers learn that individual needs can differ among living things.

Taking action: "Wild Kratts" encourages children to act on empathy, building confidence and responsibility.

Celebrating World Animal Month with "Wild Kratts":

As World Animal Month unfolds, "Wild Kratts" offers a unique opportunity for families to connect with animals. The Kratt brothers exemplify respect and care for creatures, fostering empathy and connection.

Parents can encourage their children to care for animals at home, in the community, or in nature, leading to higher empathy scores. Even preschoolers can take meaningful responsibilities in pet care.  For families without pets, there are countless ways to support animals in the wild, such as cleaning up local parks, installing bird feeders, or cultivating pollinator-friendly gardens.

Wild Kratts" encourages children to become "creature adventurers, " observing animal life without harming creatures or their habitats.  As "Wild Kratts" returns with new episodes this October, families can embark on thrilling adventures and cultivate empathy for all living creatures, joining in the worldwide celebration of World Animal Month.

Recap To The Week: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Returns To South African Screens For New Episodes On PBS Kids

South African families are in for a “Grr-ific” treat as the beloved children's series, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, returns -- airing weekdays at 4pm on DStv Channel 313 this month.

A study conducted by researchers at Texas Tech University revealed that the combination of watching Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood and engaging in parent-child conversations about its content significantly enhances children's social skills, including empathy, recognising emotions, and social confidence.

Produced by The Fred Rogers Company and 9 Story Media Group, this acclaimed series is an engaging and educational experience for preschoolers, drawing on the legacy of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

About Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is an animated series tailored for preschoolers aged 2 to 4. It continues the tradition of the groundbreaking PBS series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood using musical strategies inspired by Fred Rogers' social-emotional curriculum. Through the lens of imagination, creativity, and music, the show follows the life of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends as they learn essential social skills for school and life.

Meet Daniel Tiger

The heart of the series is 4-year-old Daniel Tiger, the son of the beloved puppet Daniel Striped Tiger from the original program. Daniel engages young viewers directly, inviting them into his world and making them feel like part of his neighbourhood. By closely following Daniel's everyday adventures, preschoolers and their families gain valuable insights and practical skills necessary for growth and learning.

September Episode Themes

Each Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood episode features two captivating stories that revolve around common early learning themes, such as dealing with disappointment. What sets this series apart is its innovative use of catchy musical strategies that reinforce these themes, providing preschoolers and parents with memorable tools they can use daily.

This month's new episodes include:

Daniel Finds Something to Do/Daniel's Royal Good Time: Daniel tries to find something to do by himself. Daniel and his friends play at a castle.

Daniel's Lunch/Daniel's Toy: Daniel is excited to eat his special lunch. Daniel goes to the park to play with Ducky.

Margaret's Birthday Buddy/Margaret's Birthday Party: The Tiger Family is preparing for Margaret's birthday party, but Daniel feels left out.

Curriculum-based viewing

The stories in the series have been crafted with extensive input from early learning specialists, incorporating formative research with children. Drawing from over 40 years of Fred Rogers' work, the show is a powerful resource for parents, offering an entertaining and thoughtful guide that integrates music, interactivity, and a research-based curriculum.

Broadcast Details

South African families can tune in to catch the new episodes of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on DStv Channel 313

Why PBS Kids Africa Is Behind With The Rest Of The World?

PBS Kids owned by the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) is the most trusted educational brand for children aged 2-8. Since 2021, the brand has operated a number of blocks and linear channels in the United States, Africa and formerly Australia.

For those residing outside the United States may have noticed some rather bizarre variations from the American feed. I mean you have shows like Dinosaur Train currently in its fifth season with the Africa still wrapping up the second season I know shocking.

On top of that there's a lot of shows some fresh that have yet to be broadcast on the channel such as Let's Go Luna, Splash And Bubbles, Xavier Riddle And The Secret Museum, Ready Jet Go! and Clifford The Big Red Dog.

From what's understood here, consumers don't have longevity with PBS Kids as seen with Cartoon Network and Disney Junior globally. Despite the fact that some of this content such as Dinosaur Train and Cyberchase have been viewable in these markets.

Generally, PBS Kids hasn't got much credibility for these as the content is funded by taxpayers and foundations which just leads to curiosity as on how much ownership the main PBS brand has over this content.

I for starters don't mind how out of fashion PBS Kids may appear to some audiences. It's one of the few brands that acknowledge their much older properties I mean it debuted in 2019 across Africa airing shows like Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Time Warp Trio.

Aside from that, the main feed is repetitive and perhaps them introducing this content to newer audiences is another way to help build their offering. The international feeds doesn't focus solely on older content as there's shows like Donkey Hodie and Hero Elementary.

PBS Kids can be entertaining to the young and old.

Development Alert: Childhood Favourite Arthur Returns To South African Screens For It's Final Rounds Thanks To PBS Kids

The much-loved cartoon Aardvark is returning to South African screens with Season 17 premiering Monday 3 July on DSTV channel 313 at 4pm.

The premier will be a nostalgic moment for many parents who grew up watching ARTHUR and his many friends, and will now be able to introduce the adored character to their own children, continuing the legacy.

The animated series is aimed at viewers aged four to eight, helping foster an interest in reading and writing, encouraging positive social skills, and models age-appropriate strategies problem-solving strategies.

The show chronicles the adventures of ARTHUR (an eight-year-old aardvark) through engaging, emotional stories that explore real issues kids face. The comedy-like series tells stories from a kid's point of view without moralising or talking down. Situations on ARTHUR develop in realistic ways and don't always turn out as Arthur or his friends might expect.

It has also been honoured with numerous awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and three Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Children's Animated Program.

Since its premiere, the series has been accessible through closed-captioning to viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. In addition, ARTHUR made history in 1997 when the series became the first daily program to be described for viewers who are blind or visually impaired.

Confirmed: PBS Kids To Close In Australia By The End Of June

PBS Kids is an educational brand operated by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) targeting children aged 2-8 years. It operates as a programming block on PBS in the United States and also a linear channel currently viewable on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv in Africa.

Last month, Foxtel in Australia sent out a notice to consumers that they would be losing out on shows such as Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, Wild Kratts and Hero Elementary as the PBS Kids channel would be going dark by the end of June after 2 years.

It means that Africa would once again be the only international territory to package PBS Kids as Australia was one of the few territories to actually offer a 24 hour service. Foxtel highlights viewership as one of the contributing factors to the channel's demise.

“We constantly review the performance and popularity of this content and have made the decision to close our PBS Kids channel. PBS Kids will be available to customers until 30 June 2023.”

A Foxtel spokesperson said, “Foxtel Group offers a wide range of popular kids content via DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, CBeebies and Boomerang including popular returning and premiering titles: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Boss Baby: Back in Action (DreamWorks), Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network), Hey Duggee (CBeebies) and Batwheels (Boomerang).

Arthur's Absolutely Fun Day (GBC)

The player guides Arthur Read around a map of Elwood City, while being able to play ten different mini-games. Each completed mini-game awards Arthur a gold star, and collecting ten stars earns Arthur a free pass to enter the amusement park Wonderworld and play an extra five mini-games. The player can play the different mini-games as many times as they want.

Download Now

New Series Alert: It's A Big Big World Coming Soon To PBS Kids Africa

PBS Kids, the most trusted brand for educational content for children aged 2-8 years home to shows like Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger that launched on the DStv platform later in 2019 is set on introducing to African audiences one of their older shows, It's A Big Big World.

The show revolves around a group of animals living in "The World Tree" in the rainforest along the Amazon River with the Pico da Neblina mountain background. The main character and host is Snook the sloth (performed by Peter Linz).

It's A Big Big World was broadcast on PBS Kids in the United States from January 6, 2006 to January 8, 2010 with a total of 47 episodes divided within 2 seasons. The series was created by Mitchell Kriegman, the creator of the Muppet television series, Bear in the Big Blue House.

The first season commences Tuesday 16 May on PBS Kids with a second season following almost a month from that day on 13 June.

During the month, PBS Kids rolled out new episodes of the puppet musical Donkey Hodie. It the second spinoff of Rogers' television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood after Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood under Spiffy Pictures and Fred Rogers Production.

Zoboomafoo: Playtime in Zobooland (GBC)

The hit PBS series comes to Game Boy Color! Join Zoboomafoo on a wacky adventure in the fantasy world of Zoboomaland!
- Oh no! Zoboo's Animal Friend Cards are missing.
- Jump, climb and swim through 9 fun-filled levels.
- Help Phibby find her favorite Boca Nut snack.

Download Now

Recap To The Past: Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman Was Removed From PBS Kids Lineup Ahead Of It's Linear Debut On MultiChoice's DStv

Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman was an educational game show with featured animated host Ruff Ruffman alongside real kids facing real challenges. The kids would do random tasks even play games mostly in the maths and sciences in order to win prizes.

The show was an instant hit with audiences and received critical acclaim. The New York Times praised the series, writing "The show’s creators have written in all the sarcasm and amazingness of a more sophisticated and harder-edged show, but not in a way that condones such behavior.

The series ran for five seasons and 100 episodes from May 29, 2006, to November 4, 2010, on the adult oriented, PBS. Prior to its demise, the series recieved an Emmy for Best Original Song which too is named after the program.

During its run, PBS Kids was a programming block hence the PBS. No 24 hour kids channel was available until at least 2017 and MultiChoice bundled Fetch! alongside various other content from the PBS brand in 2018 on the DStv app under the tile PBS Kids - experimental.

In May 2019, MultiChoice in partnership with PBS extended the agreement for the PBS Kids channel giving more consumers access to #1 trusted for educational content with shows like Arthur, Pinkalicious And Peterrific, Time Warp Trio and Postcards From Buster.

As seen through various promos and ads, we got to see a variety of programs some of which still remain to be unseen on the channel e.g. Super Why, Splash & Bubbles and Ready Jet Go. Of course within these adverts, Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman isn't credited any of them.

Not only that it was removed from 24/7 channel and other shows which were seen on the DStv app came as a double bill amidst the removal which begs the question as to why such a popular show would get screwed over in such a manner.

In a Fetch! With Ruffman Fan Page, it was revealed PBS Kids lost rights to the program and this dated back the same year it was slotted on the DStv app. Taking that to consideration, it's likely that PBS had wanted to remove the program from the DStv app much earlier but couldn't.

So they were only able to do so once the year long agreement was expired and PBS Kids not taking to account that not everyone cares or can afford to use the DStv app removed Postcards From Buster before it could even wrap production for those who couldn't see it.

As for Fetch!, although it can no longer be seen on PBS Kids it can however be viewable on other platforms for starters there's YouTube. I mean a lot of PBS Kids content is viewed freely on that platform.

Recap: PBS Kids Has Yet To Rollout The New Logo In Other Countries

PBS Kids is a brand name in which the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) gives to their children's content. Trusted as the #1 educational brand, it offers content to help improve children's creative thinking while as engaging in the maths and science.

Some of the programming offered by the brand include Wild Kratts, Pinkalicious And Peterrific, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Nature Cat, Cyberchase, Elinor Wonders Why, Hero Elementary and Donkey Hodie.

As of 2019, the 24/7 version of PBS Kids can be seen across Africa and Australia while as other regions might as well be viewing various content. Prior to that it was merely a programming block which you could stream on YouTube or the app of the same name.

Last year, PBS Kids retired their mascot Dash in their official logo and opted for something more bland and simple kind of close to the current adult PBS logo. As the company seems to be onboard with the streaming wave which has changed the media landscape.

Insidus Games:
- Buzz Lightyear Star Command
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Spider-Man Toxic City
- Baby Felix Halloween

Although, we have yet to see any of these changes surfacing in other countries. It is very much known at this point that the current international feeds are very much behind which isn't entirely a bad thing if you take certain matters to account.

Firstly, not a lot of people are familiar with PBS Kids, the other is the 24 hour component in the main market is repetitive and lastly the inability to catch-up kind of helps to build up the channel's lineup in these regions although it's a dumpster fire in that regard.

Regular Nick:
- Disney renews 3 adult animated series through 2025
- CoComelon to get yet another spinoff
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

Last year, Nature Cat and Martha Speaks latter seasons rolled out before it's previous seasons on PBS Kids. I mean Wild Kratts and Daniel Tiger are on the channel and are very behind to date all of this pointing to a reshuffle in their offering.

Maybe the reason PBS Kids hasn't updated their lineup has to do with the changes in the main market. Maybe, they're looking to introduce a more modern version where shows like WordWorld and Peg + Cat are probably phased out for more Daniel and Pinkalicious.