This Thanksgiving week, PBS KIDS is diving into the deep sea with the premiere of a new movie from everyone’s favorite adventure-seeking brothers, Martin and Chris Kratt. WILD KRATTS: CREATURES OF THE DEEP SEA will premiere on Wednesday, November 23, 8:00am CT (rebroadcast at 3:00pm CT) followed by the world premiere of PBS KIDS’ newest series, SPLASH AND BUBBLES, 8:45am CT (rebroadcast at 3:45pm CT). Immersed in a marine biology and social-emotional curriculum, SPLASH AND BUBBLES will air daily on PBS stations following its premiere. SPLASH AND BUBBLES games and streaming video will debut in mid-November, offering families a sneak peek at the new underwater adventure series.
Produced by the Kratt Brothers Company, WILD KRATTS: CREATURES OF THE DEEP SEA features Martin and Chris as they dive down to the most unexplored habitat on Earth: the ocean trenches. There, they must choose between saving their creature friends from the greedy clutches of Gourmand or realizing their lifelong dream of discovering new species that may unlock the secrets of science. Following its on-air premiere, CREATURES OF THE DEEP SEA will stream on the free PBS KIDS Video App and on pbskids.org until December 22. A new WILD KRATTS game will also be available on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games App in mid-November.
SPLASH AND BUBBLES, produced by The Jim Henson Company (DINOSAUR TRAIN, SID THE SCIENCE KID) and Herschend Studios, the media arm of Herschend Enterprises (Dollywood, Harlem Globetrotters), and created by John Tartaglia (“ImaginOcean,” “Johnny and the Sprites”), is designed to encourage kids ages 4-7 to explore the natural undersea world. Developed with top marine biologists, digital innovators and educators, the series’ curricular focus incorporates themes of diversity, individuality, interconnectedness and the celebration of learning and discovery. Each episode includes two 11-minute animated stories, as well as live-action content. The series is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“The WILD KRATTS movie and PBS KIDS’ new series SPLASH AND BUBBLES provide kids with engaging and entertaining ways to learn more about marine animals, while building science skills and supporting social-emotional learning,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “With this new programming, PBS KIDS aims to spark kids’ lifelong curiosity and enthusiasm for the ocean, as well as appreciation for the diversity of creatures that call it home.”
In advance of its November 23 premiere, SPLASH AND BUBBLES will launch a suite of digital offerings, including full episodes and educational games for kids. Beginning the week of November 14, four 11-minute stories will be available on the free PBS KIDS Video App and pbskids.org, with additional episodes rolling out every week until January. “Finball Friends,” a SPLASH AND BUBBLES game, will also be available on the series’ website and the free PBS KIDS Games App at that time.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of SPLASH AND BUBBLES TM & © 2016 The Jim Henson Company. © Herschend Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.