At the Television Critics’ Association Press Tour in Pasadena on Tuesday, PBS Kids made two announcements to the gathered critics — a new animated series in the works and fresh digital children’s content coming soon.
Planned to launch in fall 2016, the new toon currently titled Splash is designed to encourage kids ages 4-7 to explore the diversity and spectacle of the natural undersea world, “diving into” marine biology and ocean science. The series is created by puppeteer and performer John Tartaglia (ImaginOcean, John and the Sprites) and produced by The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises, the themed entertainment company behind attractions like Dollywood and the Harlem Globetrotters.
Splash is being developed and produced as a multiplatform media property, which will have a nationwide broadcast launch on PBS stations complemented by integrated digital content.
Speaking of digital content, PBS Kids also announced that a sneak peek of the new space science series Ready Jet Go! from Wind Dancer Films will be available on digital platforms ahead of the show’s February 15 TV premiere. The episodes will roll out throughout January, and will be the most full-length video content PBS Kids has ever released in advance of a broadcast premiere.
