WSIU-TV Announces New PBS KIDS Schedule, New Series

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Contacts: Beth Spezia, Outreach Coordinator, (618) 453-5595, beth.spezia@wsiu.org

Carbondale Ill. -- WSIU TV 8 and WUSI TV 16, the public television stations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), have announced a new PBS KIDS television programming schedule, effective Monday, January 3, 2011. The revised schedule includes the addition of a new science series, Wild Kratts, to the children's programming lineup.

Created by animal adventurers Chris and Martin Kratt, Wild Kratts takes six-to-eight-year olds and their families on animal-powered adventures around the world, emphasizing basic science concepts along the way.

“One important aspect of Wild Kratts is that we are harnessing the huge appeal of animals in this age group as a launch pad into science by introducing key concepts of chemistry, physics, geology, biology, and natural history through the actions and behaviors of the animals within our stories,” says Chris Kratt, co-creator of Wild Kratts.

Each episode features Chris and Martin in a live-action segment starring actual animals as the brothers wonder what it would be like to experience a never-before-seen wildlife moment. Then the brothers transform into animated versions of themselves and the adventure begins, giving kids a glimpse into the secret lives of extraordinary creatures inhabiting some of the world's most exotic locales, such as tiger quolls from Australia, draco lizards from Indonesia, mambas of Africa, and the elusive colossal squid from the depths of the ocean.

With a diverse cast of male and female characters, including two young role models for girls, Wild Kratts helps promote the message that science can be fun. 

To see a video preview of Wild Kratts and to download PDF copies of Wild Kratts episode descriptions and WSIU-TV's Spring 2011 PBS KIDS schedule, visit wsiu.org and select the corresponding web feature in the rotating spotlight section on the homepage.

WSIU's Spring 2011 PBS KIDS children's programming schedule is as follows:

WEEKDAYS
6am            A Place of Our Own
6:30            Martha Speaks
7am            Curious George
7:30            The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!
8am            SuperWHY!
8:30            Dinosaur Train
9am            Sesame Street
10am            Clifford the Big Red Dog
10:30            WordWorld
11am            Curious George; Bob the Builder (Friday)
11:30            Barney & Friends; Thomas & Friends (Friday)
12pm            Peep and the Big Wide World
12:30            Sid the Science Kid
1pm            Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman
1:30            Cyberchase
2pm            Between the Lions
2:30            Martha Speaks
3pm            Arthur
3:30            WordGirl; SciGirls (Fri)
4pm            Wild Kratts (NEW SERIES)
4:30            The Electric Company

SATURDAY
5am            Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
5:30            Bob the Builder
6am            Curious George
6:30            The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!
7am            Super WHY!
7:30            Dinosaur Train
8am            Thomas & Friends
8:30            Martha Speaks
9am            The Electric Company
9:30            DragonFly TV
10am            SciGirls

SUNDAY
5am            Sesame Street
6am            Curious George
6:30            The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!
7am            Super WHY!
7:30            Dinosaur Train
8am            Clifford the Big Red Dog
8:30            Angelina Ballerina
9am            Biz Kid$

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