On March 16, 2017, CNN reported the following: "President Trump is proposing to end all federal funding for public broadcasting. Now a budget battle is beginning, and brands like PBS and NPR say they are ready to fight -- again."
I am part of a generation that was raised on a steady diet of PBS Kids programming, so the announcement of proposed budget cuts were most definitely disheartening.
Honestly, I have no idea what my childhood would have been like without PBS programming.
So, to lighten the mood, I decided to compile a list of the most influential PBS Kids programs. Hopefully, this trip down memory lane will bring a much-needed smile to your face.
1. "The Big Comfy Couch" (1994-2006)
2. "Zoboomafoo" (1999-2001)
3. "Noddy" (1998-2000)
4. "Dragon Tales" (1999-2005)
5. "Between the Lions" (2000-2010)
6. "Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat" (2001-2002)
7. "Cyberchase" (2002-2015)
8. "Sesame Street" (1969-present)
9. "Arthur" (1996-present)
10. "Clifford the Big Red Dog" (2000-2003)
11. "Maya and Miguel" (2004-2007)
12. "Barney & Friends" (1992-2010)
13. "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" (1968-2001)
14. "Reading Rainbow" (1983-2006)
15. "Teletubbies" (1997-2001)
16. "Caillou" (1997-2010)
17. "Wimzie's House" (1995-1996)
18. "Elmo's World" (1998-2009)
19. "Zoom" (1999-2005)
20. "The Magic School Bus" (1994-1997)
21. "Jay Jay the Jet Plane" (1998-2002)
22. "Wishbone" (1995-1998)
23. "Liberty's Kids" (2002-2003)
This piece would not be complete without the presence of the popular PBS trope. So, here it goes:
"This program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by contributions to your PBS station, from Viewers Like You. Thank You."