PBS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS WITH FOXTEL TO LAUNCH PBS KIDS IN AUSTRALIA

PBS Distribution initiated a collaboration with Foxtel to launch PBS Kids in Australia. The channel launched in Australia on 1st July. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with PBS Distribution to bring PBS KIDS’ award-winning content to our customers. FOXTEL is committed to providing viewers the very best in family entertainment, and the addition of PBS KIDS and its high quality, educational programming parents can trust, bolsters our strong suite of kids channels,” said Amanda Laing, Chief Commercial and Content Officer, Foxtel Group.

The network aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 8, offers educational programming considered “worlds of possibilities to young viewers with high-quality educational content parents can trust.” The titles due to premier when the channel launches include “Donkey Hodie,” produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures. “We are excited to offer this new audience the opportunities that PBS KIDS content offers,” Andrea Downing, President of PBS Distribution, said. “Foxtel is inviting parents and children to experience this trusted content that helps children learn and grow.” 

The channel will also debut the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program’s nominated, “Arthur,” as well as “Elinor Wonders Why.” “Asking questions and investigating the answer are at the core of scientific discovery, and we designed the series to model and encourage children, parents and educators to do just that together.”   Other shows featured in the channel include “Hero Elementary,” “Pinkalicious,” “Peterrific,” “Dinosaur Train,” and Emmy Award-winning series “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Peg + Cat.”

“Donkey Hodie,” created by physicist, Daniel Whiteson, educator, Daniel Whiteson, and cartoonist and robotics engineer, Jorge Cham, shows STEM-based content to preschoolers.The social-emotional animated puppet series intends to teach children various ways to overcome their challenges through the adventures of a curious rabbit and her friends who reside in Animal Town. “Much like my own daughter, Elinor, who inspired the series’ main character, kids everywhere love to wonder about things around them and find out the answers,” said Cham. “Our hope is that the show will help foster the natural curiosity of young children and make them want to explore and learn, just like Elinor and her friends do in these stories.”