here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cOur support is steady,\u201d said DeWitt on how PBS is managing the current upheaval in the market. \u201cWe have been able to stay the course. It\u2019s more important than ever that we\u2019re here\u2014that the U.S. has an accessible, engaging media option for kids that\u2019s also noncommercial and isn\u2019t feeling the same pressures in the same way. We are trying to think about how we are having an impact on kids and making sure that we can reach as many kids as possible throughout the country. We aren\u2019t having to watch that bottom line in the same way that a lot of others in the industry are.\u201d<\/p>\n
DeWitt then talked about the commissioning approach at PBS KIDS, where the focus is on children 2 to 8. \u201cOur commissioning strategy for a couple of decades has been looking beyond just linear, thinking about the multiplatform options from the beginning. We have to think about how IP can be operating in all of these different spaces.\u201d That includes gaming extensions, short-form for YouTube and podcasts. \u201cThat\u2019s where I think the real magic is right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like many other broadcasters, PBS KIDS is also focused on \u201csubstance over volume\u201d in its commissions. \u201cWe also think about how we can fill gaps. What kinds of things are kids missing right now?\u201d These include early literacy and math skills following the learning loss during Covid-19.<\/p>\n
As for acquisitions, DeWitt described them as \u201climited. We\u2019re really looking for opportunities to diversify our slate. We\u2019re looking for content that really fits nicely with the PBS KIDS mission, our values and our goals. And acquisitions are a good opportunity for us to experiment with different ways of engaging with the audience. But we don\u2019t do them as often. We\u2019re really more focused on commissioned projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drilling down on what makes for a good PBS KIDS show, DeWitt noted that it\u2019s a \u201ccreator-driven\u201d network on the hunt for talent that \u201chas a real passion for storytelling and has a story they want to share, something that we think is going to resonate with kids and inspire the audience\u2019s passion for learning. We need to feel like the creators understand where we\u2019re coming from, understand the values of PBS KIDS and the mission of reaching all kids, of being as accessible as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
That includes a commitment to representation and accessibility\u2014including reaching kids who may not have constant access to high-speed internet. \u201cA lot of our producers are excited about that mission, thinking about not only how their storytelling can resonate with these kids but how the games that they create alongside can work on lower-end devices, can work in and out of Wi-Fi, so that kids can take content with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community outreach is also crucial, she said. \u201cWhat kind of play patterns is it going to inspire? What kinds of things could a librarian, a teacher or an afterschool educator use from this show to help extend the learning in that space?\u201d<\/p>\n
Linear broadcast is still crucial given the PBS KIDS mission of reaching all kids, including those who don\u2019t have regular broadband access, supplemented by a streaming network that delivers long- and short-form content, a YouTube channel and gaming, which DeWitt referred to as PBS KIDS\u2019 \u201cfastest-growing platform.\u201d Podcasts have become increasingly important, especially those that deliver family co-listening experiences.<\/p>\n
Talking more about gaming, DeWitt noted, \u201cFor a very long time, we\u2019ve asked our producers to think as they\u2019re developing the show what would lend itself well to a game. We want to make sure that those same writers are writing the game dialog. We want this to be a very organic experience. Games don\u2019t just have to be mindless time. The games can reinforce what the kids are learning in the show. We offer the largest library of educational games for kids 2 to 8.\u201d<\/p>\n
That lineup runs across 350 games, many of which are also available in Spanish. \u201cOver 40 million games are played on that app on average every month.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the value of PBS KIDS and its mission, DeWitt wrapped up her keynote by noting, \u201cWe want to help people think about how they can use media for positive things. We want to create media that inspires kids to keep exploring and learning beyond the screen and to help people understand that they can leverage that media for learning at home. There is content out there that is high quality, educational and developmentally appropriate for kids.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sara DeWitt, senior VP and general manager at PBS KIDS, told TV Kids Festival delegates about the broadcaster\u2019s mission and commissioning and acquisition strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":26802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[146,8473,9024],"class_list":["post-26801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-top-stories","tag-pbs-kids","tag-sara-dewitt","tag-tv-kids-festival-2024","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\n
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