PBSKIDS.ORG Launches New Video Player

PBSKIDS.org has launched the newly expanded PBS KIDS video player giving free, online access to hundreds of streaming, full-length episodes and video clips from some of the most popular PBS KIDS programs shown on WTVI and other PBS stations -- at PBSKIDS.org/video . Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the player will premiere two exclusive music videos from DINOSAUR TRAIN, the new hit series from The Jim Henson Company that celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills.

The PBS KIDS video player initially showcases content from 14 different series including, CURIOUS GEORGE, SUPER WHY, DINOSAUR TRAIN, SID THE SCIENCE KID, SESAME STREET, ARTHUR, MARTHA SPEAKS, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, DRAGON TALES, BETWEEN THE LIONS, MAMA MIRABELLE’S HOME MOVIES, MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD, WORD WORLD and LOMAX, THE HOUND OF MUSIC.

“As the #1 educational media brand and most trusted by parents, PBS KIDS is now providing greater access for families to its world-renowned library of educational preschool content,” said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP, Children’s Media, PBS. “PBS children’s media invites children to explore new worlds and broaden their horizons, no matter where they are, and leverages new technology and platforms to create learning opportunities anywhere, anytime.” PBSKIDS.org is one of the most popular online destinations for children as they begin to explore technology, and is often parents’ first stop when their children are ready to experience the Web.

PBS KIDS conducted extensive research to understand how to guide preschoolers’ learning journeys in the most engaging way. The player helps parents and caregivers navigate video by subjects and curriculum to optimize their children’s experience. Features for parents include: educational summary of the goals of each show, links to relevant PBS Parents Web sites (PBSPARENTS.org ), a Share-this-Clip feature, and the ability to browse clips by educational/themed-based topics. A rotating, consistently-updated set of featured clips changes based on new shows and episodes. Seasonal and thematic clip channels based on children’s interests will also be featured. For example, Winter Holidays will be the theme in December. Beginning in January, features will change every week. Themes will include: Family, Eating Right, Team Work, Friends, Sports, Reading, Outdoors, Pets, Exercise, Exploring, and Vacation.

Available on both Macs and PCs, the PBS KIDS video player offers closed captioning on selected clips and episodes.