Public TV 13 has launched new 24/7 children’s services, including a new WNMU PBS KIDS channel and a live stream on digital platforms. The effort is the station's latest initiative to support early learning in the region. WNMU-TV now broadcasts PBS KIDS shows 24 hours a day on Channel 13.2, available via antenna, on Charter Spectrum Cable channel 199, and on other community cable systems throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Its primary channel, Public TV 13 on 13.1, will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part. The schedule of children’s programming on 13.1 will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options.

WNMU PBS KIDS will allow U.P. children to watch their favorite series during primetime and other after-school hours, when viewing among families is high. Viewers will be able to watch a WNMU-branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and tablets.

The live stream complements on-demand clips and full episodes, which will continue to be available at no cost on the PBS KIDS Video App and streaming via pbskids.org. Also, the live WNMU PBS KIDS stream will soon be added to PBS’s over-the-top platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast.

Following its initial launch, the localized live stream experience will expand to offer an integrated games feature, enabling children to toggle between a PBS KIDS show and an activity that extends learning–all in one seamless digital experience. 

“Public TV 13 has been an integral part of the community for years, delivering content and services that parents trust and that help children learn,” said Eric Smith, WNMU general manager. “We are excited to build on the work we do every day for families by adding these new 24/7 services to our offerings, ensuring that our proven educational content is accessible anytime and anywhere to all kids, especially those who need it the most.”

Designed to meet the needs of today’s kids, WNMU-TV’s new, free 24/7 services will provide learning opportunities for children whenever and wherever they access media. 

“We want to make sure our viewers understand that, for us, this new 24/7 service is not meant to encourage kids to spend more time with screens," Smith said. "It’s really about making educational programming more accessible to kids, and giving parents more choices about where, when and how their children consume media.”

WNMU’s PBS KIDS 24/7 channel will include popular favorites such as Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Wild Kratts and Dinosaur Train.  PBS KIDS’ newest series' Splash and Bubbles, Nature Cat and Ready Jet Go! will also be featured. 

WNMU-TV also offers TV13/PLUS channel 13.3, Charter Spectrum 195 (197 in Sault Ste. Marie) which features the PBS west coast feed for part of the day, along with alternative programming from 7 to 10 pm ET.  WNMU-TV’s full local schedule for all three channels is available at wnmutv.nmu.edu.

About one third of PBS stations, including WNMU-TV, participated in a coordinated launch of the new 24/7 kids services on Monday, January 16.  By the end of 2017, 108 PBS stations are expected to launch the PBS KIDS TV channel, making it available to 90 percent of U.S. TV households.

WNMU-TV, Public TV 13 is a viewer-supported public service of Northern Michigan University, licensed to NMU’s Board of Trustees.