KCTS 9 to launch 24/7 KIDS channel on Apr 1

KCTS 9, a trusted provider of educational media for children in the Pacific Northwest, will launch the KCTS 9 PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel on Saturday, April 1, 2017. The new channel, which is a free service, will be available on TV and via live streaming on the KCTS 9 website. It will feature 24/7 educational programming, ensuring that PBS KIDS’ high-quality content is available around the clock.

KCTS 9 has been an integral part of the community for years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that support early learning.

“KCTS 9’s new PBS KIDS 24/7 channel is part of our commitment to families here in the Northwest,” says Rob Dunlop, President and CEO of KCTS 9. “We want to ensure that excellent educational content is free and accessible to all kids—and that families can watch together on their own schedule.”

KCTS 9 will provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 programming over the air on Channel 9.2 and on Comcast Channel 337; in Yakima, it will broadcast on Channel 47.2 and on Charter Cable on Channel 297. 

The primary KCTS 9 channel will continue to feature PBS KIDS programs during the day, along with award-winning dramas, documentaries and investigative journalism. The schedule of children’s programming on the two channels will be different, offering families a variety of options.

The channel will also be available as a live stream on KCTS9.org/kids and on the free PBS KIDS Video App for mobile and tablet devices. Later this year, the live stream will introduce a first-of-its-kind 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 KCTS 9 PBS KIDS schedule will include 21 of the network’s most popular series, including Arthur, Bob the Builder, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Nature Cat, Odd Squad, Sesame Street, Thomas and Friends, Wild Kratts and many more.

Beginning Friday, April 21, 2017, the new channel will debut “PBS KIDS Family Night,” weekly family viewing events featuring movie specials or themed programming every Friday from 7:00 to 9:00pm, and repeating on Saturday and Sunday evenings.