PBS Cancels Childrens’ Shows

Courtesy The White House

Fred Rogers, who hosted "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" for more than 30 years, met then-President George W. Bush at the White House in 2002.

August 31, 2009

The Public Broadcasting System, PBS, announced Friday that they will stop distribution on two long-running childrens' television programs: "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Reading Rainbow." The programs began airing in 1968 and 1983, respectively.

"At Mississippi Public Broadcasting we were disappointed to learn that the Public Broadcasting System will no longer distribute 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' and 'Reading Rainbow'," said MPB Executive Director, Dr. Judith Lewis in a release. "These programs have enriched the lives of Mississippi children for generations. The life lessons Mr. Rogers shared have provided countless children with tools to use as they grow into responsible teenagers and adults. 'Reading Rainbow' has not only inspired young people to read but also to seek out new books and sources of knowledge. Both programs will be sorely missed in Mississippi."

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood stopped production in 2001 and "Reading Rainbow" in 2006. Both programs have been in syndication since then. The final weekday airing for both shows was Friday.

"MPB is committed to providing quality television programming to Mississippi's children," Dr. Lewis also stated. "We are excited about our Fall 2009 line up, which includes the award winning show, 'Between the Lions,' an early childhood literacy program, as well as new programs such as 'Dinosaur Train' and 'The Electric Company.'"

Coming this fall to the 1:30 p.m. weekday time slot on MPB is Jim Henson Company's "Dinosaur Train," a new series created for preschoolers. "Dinosaur Train" will embrace and celebrate the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains. The new program is designed to encourage basic scientific thinking and skills as the children learn about natural science, natural history and paleontology.

A new version of "The Electric Company" is airing on MPB starting weekdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Designed for 6- to 9-year-olds, the program reinforces strong literacy skills and teaches kids that reading is cool.

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