ARLINGTON, VA, Oct. 29, 2010 – For the first time, PBSKIDS.org is the #1 kids site for free videos streamed based on the number of videos viewed, according to the latest numbers from comScore Video Metrix (September 2010). Kids spent an average of 47 minutes watching free, educational videos on the site in September, twice the monthly average for other top kids’ sites, with close to 88 million free video streams for the month.
“PBS has always been a pioneer in providing age-appropriate, educational content to engage kids and to encourage their innate curiosity, helping them prepare for success in school and in life,” said Lesli Rotenberg, senior vice president, Children’s Media, PBS. “We continue to break new ground by making our content accessible to all kids, in new ways, on all platforms.”
“What continues to set PBS apart is our focus on developing innovative ways to keep children engaged with our educational content, such as taking our linear television video and making it come alive online by inserting interactive educational games into the video,” said Jason Seiken, senior vice president, Interactive, Product Development and Innovation, PBS. “No other media company is offering more video for more platforms than PBS.”
The PBS KIDS preschool and PBS KIDS GO! players offer free, online access to more than 3,800 streaming, full-length episodes and free video clips. These videos include favorite educational programs like THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT and CURIOUS GEORGE as well as web-original programs like FIZZY’S LUNCH LAB and even
video with integrated games.
Demand for online television is on the rise. According to comScore Video Metrix, 175 million U.S. Internet users watched online video content in September for an average of 14.4 hours per viewer. The total U.S. Internet audience engaged in more than 5.2 billion viewing sessions during the month.
PBSKIDS.org attracts an average of 9.5 million unique visitors per month, with a 72 percent repeat visitor rate. The site’s popularity is continually growing and traffic has increased 28 percent year over year [Sept. 09-Sept. 2010. Source: Google Analytics].
PBS KIDS has also optimized its video player for Google TV, giving users access to more than 1,500 videos through Google TV compatible devices. The optimized PBS KIDS video player delivers full screen videos from favorite PBS KIDS series such as CURIOUS GEORGE, DINOSAUR TRAIN, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, and
SESAME STREET.
Independent research of television, interactive games and mobile applications developed by PBS KIDS in partnership with top children’s producers have shown that PBS KIDS content helps build early literacy skills and is effectively closing the achievement gap for the most at-risk kids.
Parents trust PBSKIDS.org to not only offer engaging content, but also to be a safe, ad-free
online space. In September, PBS announced the launch of its PBS KIDS GO! Digital Citizenship Initiative to help kids and parents navigate today’s digital landscape. The initiative features a suite of new resources for kids and parents, among them a new interactive, online game, the
WEBONAUTS INTERNET ACADEMY, designed to teach kids about online privacy, how to deal with bullying and how to distinguish credible sources online. The WEBONAUTS
INTERNET ACADEMY is available free on pbskids.org/webonauts. Parents can also find helpful supporting information on PBSPARENTS.org, including tips for kids’ internet use from Common Sense Media.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, with its nearly 360 local stations, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. More than 14 million children watch PBS KIDS® on TV and online each month.
CONTACTS:
Victoria Renwick, 360 Public Relations, 617.585.5781/vrenwick@360publicrelations.com
Stephanie Aaronson, PBS, 703.739.5074/saaronson@pbs.org
