“The Arthur Podcast” Premieres Free to Listeners on October 20
A Digital Short Video Available Today Celebrates the New Audio Series
BOSTON, October 6, 2022 – PBS KIDS, GBH Kids and production partner Gen-Z Media and distribution partner PRX, today announced ARTHUR, the iconic Peabody and Emmy Award-winning® series based on the bestselling books by Marc Brown, will launch The Arthur Podcast. Today’s announcement also comes with the release of a new digital short, “Arthur Makes a Podcast,” now streaming on PBS KIDS and The Arthur YouTube channel, starring Arthur Read and his sister D.W. as he navigates podcast production.
“It’s been so fun to help Arthur make his new podcast,” said Carol Greenwald, Senior Executive Producer, GBH Kids. “He, D.W., and Buster has done a great job sharing their adventures – and the podcast platform will allow us to reach new audiences as well as reconnect longtime fans to many of our classic stories.”
“We’re thrilled to continue building on our mission of meeting kids where they are by expanding our podcast offerings,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We hope that parents who grew up with ARTHUR can now join their kids in listening to new stories from the characters they love, having fun and learning together.”
Season One will feature eight episodes, launching weekly on Thursdays starting October 20th. “The Arthur Podcast” will be available for free on the PBS KIDS Video app, the The Arthur YouTube channel, pbskids.org, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major podcast listening platforms. Produced by GBH KIDS and Gen-Z Media, and distributed by PRX, “The Arthur Podcast” leverages a library of content that spans 25 years, retelling iconic episodes from the television series in this new audio format. Listeners will hear from Arthur, D.W., Buster, and other favorite characters as they navigate school, friendships, and other challenges.
"Adapting one of the most beloved kids animated series in the world for audio has been a privilege, not to mention a lot of fun,” said Ben Strouse, CEO of Gen-Z Media. “We hope the podcast version provides kids as well as those of us who have grown up with the iconic show an important new way to enjoy these wonderful and relatable stories.”
Listeners can submit responses to “Arthur’s Inbox” on the PBS KIDS for Parents website, to be potentially included in future episodes.
The Arthur brand continues to resonate with audiences, and new Arthur content will continue to roll out on digital platforms in the coming years. The premiere of the podcast follows the 25th anniversary season of the series, and the new short announcing the podcast is the first of many to come over the next several years, addressing timely topics and teaching important lessons. Launched in 2020 by GBH Kids, the Arthur shorts give children and their caregivers the tools to understand, talk about, and navigate current events through the lens of the characters of Elmwood City.
ARTHUR is the longest-running kids’ animated series in the U.S. and is known for teaching kindness, empathy, and inclusion through everyday adventures and many groundbreaking moments. All ARTHUR content can be streamed free on PBS KIDS, and games are available on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games app.
About ARTHUR
ARTHUR, based on the best-selling books by Marc Brown, is television’s longest- running children’s animated series. For 25 seasons, ARTHUR has remained one of the most popular and beloved weekday children’s series on PBS. Easily recognized by its timeless and joyful theme song, the iconic, award winning PBS Kids series has touched audiences around the world with its heartfelt and humorous stories about family, friends, and the challenges of growing up. ARTHUR is produced by GBH Boston. Funding for ARTHUR is provided by public television viewers. Corporate funding is provided by ABCmouse.com and IKEA Retail U.S. For more information, visit pbskids.org/Arthur and follow ARTHUR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through television, digital media, and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can watch PBS KIDS anytime on the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and the PBS KIDS Video app, available on mobile and connected-TV devices, no subscription required. PBS KIDS’ large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content, including digital games and streaming video to spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers, parents, and community – providing resources to support children’s learning, anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About GBH Kids
GBH Kids is one of the top producers for public media, creating educational content for kids, parents, caregivers and teachers, including iconic PBS Kids programs such as the award-winning Arthur and Molly of Denali, digital series such as Scribbles and Ink, games, apps and podcasts. GBH Kids, based in Boston, also works closely with PBS LearningMedia, providing digital curricula for more than 2 million teachers across all 50 states. GBH Kids is committed to equity and access to educational media and the healthy development of all children. As the inventor of closed captioning and audio description, GBH is dedicated to making media accessible and inclusive. Find more information at gbh.org/kids
About Gen-Z Media
With its podcasts downloaded millions of times each month by fans of all ages, Gen-Z Media (www.gzmshows.com) creates innovative and original podcast programming that is as relatable as it is surprising, filled with twists, turns, humor, and heart. Among more than two dozen shows and hundreds of hours of free programming for its all-ages family audience, notable podcasts include “Six Minutes,” the most downloaded family audio drama in history; “Tomorrow,” the all-ages sequel to the iconic “Annie” stage play; and the Peabody Award winning classic “Mars Patel.” GZM shows have won nearly all of the major podcasting awards that stand for great quality programming, including the Peabody Award, Best Kids & Family Podcast from the Academy of Podcasters, Parent’s Choice Gold Award, and iTunes Best of the Year, plus notable nominations from the Ambie and Webby awards for Best Kids & Family Podcast of the Year 2022. GZM Shows have also been widely adopted by more than 10,000 middle grade classrooms across the U.S. and Canada as a means of increasing student engagement with diverse ELA curriculum.
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