WNMU PBS KIDS broadcasts our 24/7 PBS KIDS Channel on Channel 13.2 & Charter Spectrum 199, or streaming live on pbskids.org and in the free PBS KIDS Video App. To find our live stream on pbskids.org, click on "Videos" and find the new "Live TV" button on the left side of the Videos page.
WNMU PBS Kids Now Airing on Channel 13.2
January 16, 2017
This week, Public TV 13 launched new 24/7 children's services including a new TV channel, WNMU PBS KIDS and live stream on digital platforms. The effort is Public TV 13's latest initiative to support early learning in our community. WNMU-TV now broadcasts PBS KIDS shows 24 hours a day on Channel 13.2, which is available via antenna, on Charter Spectrum Cable channel 199, and on other community cable systems throughout the U.P.
WNMU PBS KIDS will make it easy for Upper Peninsula children to watch their favorite series during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high. Viewers will be able to watch a WNMU-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 at no cost on the PBS KIDS Video App and streaming via pbskids.org. In addition, the live WNMU PBS KIDS stream will soon be added to PBS's over-the-top platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast.
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.
"Public TV 13 has been an integral part of the community for years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that help children learn," said Eric Smith, WNMU General Manager. "We are excited to build on the work we do every day for 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."
PBS stations reach more kids aged 2-5, more moms with children under 6 years old and more children from low-income families than any other kids TV network. With its new 24/7 channel and digital offerings, WNMU-TV will build on this reach and impact.
Through this new channel, WNMU-TV will extend its commitment to early learning by offering more families high-quality PBS KIDS content that is trusted by parents and proven to help kids acquire fundamental learning skills. In a recent survey, PBS KIDS led all networks in improving kids' behavior, with 74% of parents saying their child exhibits more positive behavior after engaging with PBS KIDS. Research has confirmed that PBS KIDS media content helps children build critical skills that enable them to find success in school and life, while also helping parents increase their own engagement. A recent study conducted by WestEd found that PBS KIDS resources can help narrow the math achievement gap for children from low-income families and better prepare them for kindergarten. Additionally, parents' awareness of their children's math learning increased significantly - as did their use of strategies to support their children's learning.
Designed to meet the needs of today's kids, WNMU-TV's new, free 24/7 services will provide learning opportunities for children whenever and wherever they access media. Nielsen data demonstrate that live TV is the dominant way children access video, accounting for 67% of the time children spend watching video content. Most kids' TV viewing takes place on weeknights and weekend afternoons and evenings. This trend is true for all children, but especially for those in low-income families.
WNMU's Eric Smith adds: "We want to make sure our viewers understand that for us, this new 24/7 service is not meant to encourage kids to spend more time with screens. It's really about making educational programming more accessible to kids, and giving parents more choices about where, when and how their children consume media."
WNMU's PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular favorites such as DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, ODD SQUAD, WILD KRATTS and DINOSAUR TRAIN; PBS KIDS' newest series SPLASH AND BUBBLES, NATURE CAT and READY JET GO! will also be featured. WNMU-TV will provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on 13.2, in addition to its primary channel, Public TV 13 on 13.1, which will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part. The schedule of children's programming on 13.1 will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options.
WNMU-TV also offers TV13/PLUS channel 13.3, Charter Spectrum 195 (197 in Sault Ste. Marie) which features the PBS west coast feed for part of the day, along with alternative programming from 7 to 10 pm ET. WNMU-TV's full local schedule for all three channels is available on our schedule page.
About one third of PBS stations, including WNMU-TV, participated in a coordinated launch of the new 24/7 Kids services on Monday, January 16. By the end of 2017, 108 PBS stations are expected to launch the PBS KIDS TV channel, making it available to 90 percent of U.S. TV households.
For more information on WNMU PBS Kids, contact us at 906-227-1300 or email dtv13@nmu.edu.
Watch With Your Kids – Family Night Specials: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
at 7 pm ET & 9 pm ET on 13.2 WNMU PBS Kids