Kids TV
Dallas public TV station launches 24-hour kids' channel
Public media organization KERA is launching a new TV channel called KERA Kids 24/7, with kids' shows 24 hours a day. The show will broadcast on channel 13.2 and will be carried by select cable providers.
KERA already has a lineup of children's programs, including Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Wild Kratts, broadcast on KERA TV from 6 am-6 pm on weekdays. But KERA Kids 24/7 will give children access to shows weeknights and weekend afternoons, when the majority of kids' TV viewing takes place.
“Since its inception, public broadcasting has played a unique and important role for kids — it makes learning and development fun,” says Mary Anne Alhadeff, president and CEO of KERA, in a release.
KERA brings children's programming to homes without cable or satellite TV. Its shows often serve as the first classroom for low-income families. According to the release, a recent study found that the programs and resources provided by public television can help narrow the math achievement gap for children from low-income families and better prepare them for kindergarten.
In addition to helping with core subjects like reading and math, KERA Kids programs also promote social skills necessary for school and for life. A survey found that public television can improve kids' behavior, including being more positive.
KERA Kids 24/7 will replace KERA World, which will no longer be available beginning January 16. Spectrum Cable will offer KERA Kids 24/7 on channel 1268 in Dallas and 182 in Fort Worth, and on Suddenlink.
KERA Kids 24/7 will also be available for streaming on pbskids.org and on the PBS Kids Video App, available on a variety of mobile devices and over-the-top platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One, and Chromecast.
KERA Kids joins other members of the KERA family such as KERA TV, KERA Create, KERA 90.1, and KXT 91.7 FM.
