Peg + Cat Joins the KPBS Kids Lineup

PBS KIDS’ newest animated preschool series PEG + CAT is coming to KPBS-TV this fall. The multimedia program follows the adorable, spirited Peg and her sidekick, Cat, as they embark on adventures, solve problems, and learn foundational math concepts and skills. PEG + CAT premieres Monday, October 7, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. on KPBS-TV with a special one-hour broadcast of two back-to-back episodes, along with integrated online and mobile content. The series airs daily at 9:00 a.m. following the premiere and repeats weekdays at 2:00 p.m.

PEG + CAT was created by Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) and Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) of 9ate7 Productions, and is a production of The Fred Rogers Company. Each episode features a story in which Peg and Cat encounter an unexpected challenge that requires them to use math and problem-solving skills in order to save the day. Their adventures take viewers from a farm to a distant planet, from a pirate island to a prehistoric valley, from Romeo and Juliet's Verona to Cleopatra's Egypt to New York's Radio City Music Hall. While teaching specific math lessons, the series displays the value of resilience and perseverance in problem-solving.

Courtesy of © 2013, Feline Features LLC.

PEG + CAT is a multimedia experience that includes interactive mobile and online content. The program offers games and other resources online at pbskids.org/peg. Additional interactive features, including more games, streaming video, parent and educator resources and a mobile app, are slated to launch along with the on-air premiere in fall 2013.

“We are excited to bring PEG + CAT to KPBS this October,” said KPBS Program Director John Decker. “With hilarious adventures grounded in a math curriculum, PEG + CAT will further our commitment to providing engaging, trusted educational content to San Diego-area families.”

KPBS Kids Schedule Changes:

The addition of PEG + CAT impacts KPBS’ weekday kids’ line up. Starting October 7, Martha Speaks will air at 6:30 a.m. Super Why will air at 11:30 a.m. followed by Sid the Science Kid at noon and Thomas & Friends at 12:30 p.m. Changes to the afternoon schedule include Arthur airing at 3:30 p.m., WordGirl at 4 p.m. and Wild Kratts at 4:30 p.m. WordWorld and The Electric Company have moved to Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 a.m. respectively. Viewers can access the new schedule at kpbs.org/tv/schedule.

PEG + CAT is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education through the Ready To Learn Initiative, a program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families, and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). PEG + CAT is the first original preschool transmedia property developed as part of the federal Ready To Learn Initiative.

Images, episode descriptions and additional press materials for PEG + CAT are available on PBS PressRoom.

About KPBS

KPBS serves the San Diego region with news and entertainment programming that respects our audience with inspiring, intelligent and enlightening content. KPBS will deliver this content via multiple outlets, including television, radio, and digital media and will adapt and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

KPBS values integrity, truth, transparency and lifelong learning. We strive to engage with our citizens and showcase the unique neighborhoods and people that make our community thrive. As a public service of San Diego State University, education is a core value – from our children’s programming to our local news coverage. KPBS is committed to being a reliable source for in-depth, thoughtful, and high quality content.

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Fred Rogers Company

The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the nonprofit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. For more information, visit us at www.fredrogers.org.

About CPB

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,300 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services.

About The Ready To Learn Initiative

The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular focus on reaching low-income children. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution and effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach and research on educational effectiveness.

The contents of this release were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

The project is funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.