PBS Kids Go!
PBS Kids Go! was an American television brand used by PBS for programs aimed at older children ages 6–10, in contrast to the kindergarten and preschool-level PBS Kids. It was primarily broadcast on PBS stations during the afternoon hours on weekdays. It debuted on October 11, 2004, and was closed on October 7, 2013.
Network | PBS PBS Kids |
---|---|
Launched | October 11, 2004 |
Closed | October 7, 2013 |
Country of origin | United States |
Owner | PBS |
Key people | Natasha Wing, Latoya Ravenau |
Headquarters | Los Gatos, California |
Format | Afternoon programming block |
Running time | 2 hours |
Original language(s) | English |
History
The PBS Kids Go! programming block was launched in October 2004, with the purpose of making older children watch and appreciate PBS Kids educational programming as it was found that only preschoolers and kindergarteners were watching PBS Kids. With the discontinuation of the original PBS Kids Channel (a revived version has been launched as of January 16, 2017) in favor of PBS Kids Sprout in 2005, PBS Kids Go! continued its run on PBS.[1]
In April 2006, PBS announced that, in October 2006, a 24-hour digital multicast network called PBS Kids Go! Channel would be launched with additional content. Slated were several programming blocks, an evening Go! family block targeted at both children and their families, a Spanish language-programming block, "PBS Kids Vayan!" and a school block. KidsWorld Sports, HIT Entertainment’s Wishbone reruns and Kratts’ Creatures were planned as exclusive programs for the network. These exclusive shows plus those from the PBS block would total seven hours of original programming. At this time, PBS planned on adding one or two new series per year. The network was to be fee-based, allowing those stations that subscript to place the network's exclusive programs on their analog channel if they order. A branded interactive club was also part of the plan, with stations working it into their existing club or starting a new club and branding it how they would like to.[1]
With only one third of PBS stations affiliating with the network and half needed on July 6, 2006, the network was withdrawn. PBS left open the possibility to re-offer the network. Stations found that the sliding scale licensing fees were too high for what little exclusive programming they received, especially after spending additional funds for the PBS HD feed.[2]
On August 7, 2013, PBS announced that the PBS Kids Go! brand would be discontinued and replaced by another graphic redesign for PBS Kids. The redesign was introduced two months later on October 7, 2013 with the launch of Peg + Cat. PBS Kids Go! dissolved, as its original purpose of making older children watch PBS Kids had already been fulfilled, and it would only create more confusion over two different blocks.[3]
Programming
- 1 Premiered before the launch of PBS Kids Go!
Former programming
Animated
Title | Premiere date | End date |
---|---|---|
Arthur1 | October 7, 1996 | October 7, 2013 |
Cyberchase1 | January 21, 2002 | |
Maya & Miguel | October 11, 2004 | December 31, 2010 |
Postcards from Buster | October 11, 2004 | February 24, 2012 |
WordGirl | September 3, 2007 | October 7, 2013 |
Wild Kratts | January 3, 2011 | |
Animalia | January 5, 2008 | September 6, 2009 |
Live-action
Title | Premiere date | End date |
---|---|---|
Wishbone1 | October 9, 1995 | September 6, 2009 |
DragonflyTV1 | January 19, 2002 | May 30, 2010 |
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman | May 29, 2006 | September 2, 2012 |
Design Squad | February 28, 2007 | March 20, 2011 |
The Electric Company | January 23, 2009 | October 7, 2013 |
SciGirls | February 11, 2010 |
Web series
Title | Premiere date | End date |
---|---|---|
KidsWorld Sports | October 27, 2006 | May 4, 2007 |
Space Race | March 22, 2011 | October 7, 2013 |
Shorts
PBS Kids Go! aired shorts, usually right before the end credits of Maya & Miguel, right after the end credits of Animalia, and during breaks between episode pairs of Arthur, to fill time during long-form programming. These include Go! Figure, WordGirl, Oh Noah, A Word From Us Kids and miscellaneous shorts featuring live-action kids talking about things they do; about their families' heritage; or other topics with Maya (Candi Milo) or Miguel (Nika Futterman) doing a voiceover.
Writing and illustrating contest
In 2009, PBS launched the first contest called PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest to continue the annual writing and illustrating competition for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, which started in 1995 as the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. After 2013, it was renamed as PBS Kids Writers Contest.
References
- Egner, Jeremy (April 3, 2006). "World and Go! streams flow into PBS plans". Current. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- Everhart, Karen (July 17, 2006). "PBS Kids Go! channel: plan is no-go for now". Current. Current Publishing Committee. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- "PBS Kids Go! goes bye-bye as colorful branding revamp rolls out to stations". Current.org. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-16.