Jackson Free Press

The Public Broadcasting System, PBS, announced Friday that they will stop distribution on two long-running childrens' television programs: "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Reading Rainbow." The programs began airing in 1968 and 1983, respectively.

"At Mississippi Public Broadcasting we were disappointed to learn that the Public Broadcasting System will no longer distribute 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' and 'Reading Rainbow'," said MPB Executive Director, Dr. Judith Lewis in a release. "These programs have enriched the lives of Mississippi children for generations. The life lessons Mr. Rogers shared have provided countless children with tools to use as they grow into responsible teenagers and adults. 'Reading Rainbow' has not only inspired young people to read but also to seek out new books and sources of knowledge. Both programs will be sorely missed in Mississippi."

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood stopped production in 2001 and "Reading Rainbow" in 2006. Both programs have been in syndication since then. The final weekday airing for both shows was Friday.

"MPB is committed to providing quality television programming to Mississippi's children," Dr. Lewis also stated. "We are excited about our Fall 2009 line up, which includes the award winning show, 'Between the Lions,' an early childhood literacy program, as well as new programs such as 'Dinosaur Train' and 'The Electric Company.'"

Coming this fall to the 1:30 p.m. weekday time slot on MPB is Jim Henson Company's "Dinosaur Train," a new series created for preschoolers. "Dinosaur Train" will embrace and celebrate the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains. The new program is designed to encourage basic scientific thinking and skills as the children learn about natural science, natural history and paleontology.

A new version of "The Electric Company" is airing on MPB starting weekdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Designed for 6- to 9-year-olds, the program reinforces strong literacy skills and teaches kids that reading is cool.

Previous Comments

ID

151393

Comment

As Al Gore once said, "That is just wrong!"

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-08-31T11:00:22-06:00

ID

151400

Comment

I can't believe they're taking Mr. Rogers off the air too!! That is wrong! And I caught this "new" Electric Company recently, it is "wrong" too in my eyes - I'm sure (hopefully) it helps some kids to learn to read or get more into reading, but I wish they'd have just given it another name. It's nothing like the Electric Company I grew up with!! If I ever have kids they're gonna have to watch the old-school series on DVDs!

Author

andi

Date

2009-08-31T13:32:41-06:00

ID

151403

Comment

Have not seen the new "Electric Company",but I watched it when Morgan Freeman was on it, even still watched it in HS. Never liked Mr Rogers, he was creepy to me, seemed too much like Chester the Molester,eewww.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2009-08-31T14:24:37-06:00

ID

151407

Comment

My kids grew up on The Electric Company, Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. They learned how to spell E N CY CLOPEDIA and many other tough words for their ages. I thought Mr. Rogers was calm, not creepy. He was the total opposite of the Sesame St. Gang with Roosevelt Franklin, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird. Now this group gave me a headache.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-08-31T14:38:59-06:00

ID

151412

Comment

I ran across a piece that said the shows were likely the victim of Bush-era education policies that emphasize the "what" of reading (e.g. phonics, spelling, etc.) over the "why" (it's fun, you learn stuff, the stories, etc.) If I was only ever taught the "what," I would have hated reading. Instead, I was intrigued about all the "why" stuff. ... still am.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2009-08-31T15:05:08-06:00