(VERMILLION, SD) – FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017
SDPB Kids, the new 24-hour TV channel and live stream, launches.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting announced that it will launch new, free 24/7 children’s programming services on Monday, January 16. Provided by SDPB, the free services include a new TV channel and live stream on digital platforms. The effort is SDPB’s latest initiative to support early learning in South Dakota.
SDPB will broadcast PBS KIDS shows 24 hours a day on an additional television channel called SDPB Kids and offer a live stream, making it easy for South Dakota children to watch their favorite series 24-hours-a-day, including during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high. Viewers will be able to watch the SDPB-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.
On SDPB Kids, children can watch their favorite PBS Kids series – including Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Thomas & Friends, Odd Squad, Wild Kratts, as well as PBS Kids’ newest series Splash and Bubbles, Nature Cat and Ready Jet Go! SDPB will continue to offer children’s programming from PBS KIDS on its main TV channel.
“SDPB has been an integral part of South Dakota for years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that impact early childhood learning,” said Julie Overgaard, Executive Director, SDPB. “We are excited to build on the work we do every day for South Dakota’s families by adding these new 24/7 services to our offerings, ensuring that our proven educational content is accessible anytime and anywhere to all kids – especially those who need it the most.”
There are several ways viewers can receive the programming:
Over-the-air: Television sets, including digital TVs, with a connected antenna properly tuned can receive the signal free, over-the-air. Viewers who already have an antenna or a convertor box should perform a channel scan or “re-scan” to find SDPB Kids. For more information about receiving the signal over-the-air, consult SDPB’s online tutorial at SDPB.org/cuttingthecord.
Online: The 24-hour channel can also be accessed online at SDPB.org/Kids24 or via the PBS Kids Video App via mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. The service will be added to over-the-top platforms, such as Roku and Apple TV, later in 2017.
SDPB is working with local cable providers to add the channel to their line-up. Cable subscribers are encouraged to contact their local cable company for more information. Until then, viewers may try attaching an antenna to receive the channel free, over-the-air.
A printable SDPB Kids schedule is available at SDPB.org/buddy
