Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

Yesterday was the first official day of Spring and PBS KIDS is wasting no time helping kids get up and at ‘em by encouraging them to “Explore the Outdoors!”

This spring, PBS KIDS is partnering with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), America’s largest association of state and local parks and recreation facilities, to encourage families to “Explore the Outdoors.” From March 26 through April 20, PBS will present four weeks of themed on-air programming and online content designed to inspire kids and families to get outside and discover nature. Locally, National Recreation and Park Association member parks, along with local PBS member stations, will be hosting events where kids are invited to experience the environment with fun and educational activities from PBS KIDS.

“Spring is the perfect time of the year for kids and families to venture outside and discover their environment,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “Outdoor play and exploration is an essential part of every child’s life, and is one of the best ways to inspire kids to learn about the world around them.”

NRPA members across the country, along with local PBS member stations, will be hosting events with PBS KIDS Explore the Outdoors activities and materials. From nature treasure hunts to investigations of weather, wind and the local environment, families will be invited to participate in hands-on experiences that encourage kids to learn about science and nature. For more information on local events, or to pick up materials to explore the outdoors on your own, visit PBS Parents (PBSParents.org/outdoors).

“There is no better place than local parks and recreation to learn about nature and the outdoors,” said Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO of NRPA. “We must make sure we teach youth about the importance of appreciating the wonderful world outdoors which is why we are so proud to partner with PBS KIDS on this initiative.”

Explore the Outdoors Programming

Leading up to Earth Day, PBS KIDS will present four weeks of “Explore the Outdoors” themed programming from popular series including WILD KRATTS, DINOSAUR TRAIN, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, and CURIOUS GEORGE. Premieres include new episodes from WILD KRATTS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, CURIOUS GEORGE and a new Earth Day themed episode of ARTHUR, airing Monday, April 16. On Friday, April 20 (the Friday before Earth Day), PBS will also present a special line-up of environmentally-themed programs to gear kids up to celebrate Earth Day. Themed weeks include:

WILD KRATTS “Backyard Adventures Week” – March 26-30

This special week features five episodes all about venturing outside to explore the wonders that are as close as your own backyard. The week concludes with the premiere of a new episode, “Flight of the Pollinators,” on Friday, March 30, which explores the amazing delivery system of plants and their animal partners.

DINOSAUR TRAIN “Nature Trackers Week” – April 2-6

This encore presentation of four “Nature Trackers” episodes of DINOSAUR TRAIN includes “Stargazing on the Night Train/Get Into Nature!,” “Shiny and Snakes/Tiny Flowers,” “Buddy Explores the Tyrannosaurs/Rainy Day Fight” and “That’s Not a Dinosaur/Tiny’s Garden.” The storylines follow Buddy, Shiny, Tiny and Don as they make their own discoveries in nature.

The episodes encourage kids to get outside, get into nature and make their own discoveries.

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! “Nature’s Know-How Week” – April 9-13

The Cat, Nick and Sally go on a variety of outdoor adventures this week, including journeys to Drippety Dry Desert and Splishy Splashy Pond. Two new episodes premiere: “Super Cleaner Uppers/Itty Bitty Water” on Monday, April 9, and “Amazing Eyes/Water Walkers” on Thursday, April 12.

CURIOUS GEORGE “Explore Your World Week” – April 16-20

During this special week, everyone’s favorite monkey dabbles in a range of activities – from radio DJ-ing, to painting, to building a home for a squirrel. The week includes three premiere episodes – “DJ George/Curious George Paints the Desert” on Monday, April 16, “No Knowing Gnocchi/Here Comes the Tide” on Wednesday, April 18, and a special Earth Day episode, “Junky Monkey/Jumpy Warms Up,” on Friday, April 20.

Online and Mobile Resources for Families

PBS KIDS is increasingly serving children wherever they live, learn, and play – online, on mobile devices, on TV, and in the classroom. Kids can continue their environmental exploration online at PBSKIDS.org/outdoors to find environmental and outdoor themed games, activities and videos and on mobile through the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

PBS Parents will provide resources for parents to explore the outdoors with their own families on PBSParents.org/outdoors. The site will provide activities from the on-air episodes, listings for PBS KIDS Day in the Park events, and ideas and resources that families can use to explore the outdoors any time.

According to Nielsen and NM Incite’s U.S. Digital Consumer Report, “Generation C,” is taking their personal connection with each other and content to new levels, new devices, and new experiences like no other age group. Born between the launch of the VCR and the commercialization of the Internet, Americans 18-34 are redefining media consumption with their unique embrace of all things digital.Americans 18-34 make up 23% of the U.S. population, says the report, yet they represent an outsized portion of consumers:

• Watching online video (27%)
• Visiting social networking/blog sites (27%)
• Owning tablets (33%)
• Using a smartphone (39%)

Their ownership and use of connected devices makes this group them incredibly unique consumers, representing both a challenge and opportunity for marketers and content providers alike. Generation C is engaging in new ways and there are more touch points for marketers to reach them.

More information from the Nielsen U.S. Digital Consumer Report shows that  Since 2000, the number of Americans with Internet access has more than doubled from 132.2 million to 274 million, and online content is increasingly part of Americans’ entertainment fare. At the end of 2011, about one-third of consumers streamed long-form content such as a movie or TV show from the Internet through a paid subscription service like Netflix or Hulu-Plus.

With 12 million unique video consumers streaming from Hulu and 6.2 million from Netflix in October 2011, who’s watching Netflix and Hulu on home computers, asks the report:

• Though 31% of Hulu’s audience falls into the 18-34 age range, more than a third of users are over the age of 50. Netflix skews slightly younger, with 40% of users in the 18-34 age range and 17% over 50
• Women make up the majority of users for both Netflix and Hulu, 57% and 59% respectively, and they account for 64% of total time spent watching video content on Netflix and Hulu. This is particularly noteworthy, says the report, as women stream less online video overall than men
• Both services have an audience that is more than three-quarters white, with relatively even audience percentages for African-Americans and Asians. Hispanics are more likely to watch video on Netflix than Hulu, making up 16% of Netflix’s audience compared to 11% for Hulu

For more information, register for the State of the Media: U.S. Digital Consumer Report, Q3-Q4 2011 here, or to read the Nielsen blog, please go here.

National Education Association (NEA) celebrates its 15th annual Read Across America Day, tomorrow, Friday, March 2, 2012. Designed to encourage kids to discover the pleasure (maybe even the thrill) of reading, this year Read Across America Day is expected to draw 45+ million participants. This year, the book The Lorax (1971) by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), coincides with Universal Pictures release of the movie based on the book, and its universal message about preserving the environment. The voice talent of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax include: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Danny DeVito and Ed Helms who are also serving as co-chairs of this year’s Read Across America. Zak Efron will appear as a guest reader at the New York Public Library tomorrow as well. NEA’s Read Across America is co-sponsored by Dr. Seuss Enterprises (Cat in the Hat is the Read Across America Day mascot) and 50 national partners, including the American Library Association, PTA, NFL Players Association, RIF, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Random House Children’s Books, Reading Rockets, United Through Reading, Heart of America Foundation, First Books, and KIDS FIRST!. March 2 was Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which is why Read Across America Day is held this day each year. For other Read Across America Day related information go to www.nea.org.