I fell in love with this network’s offerings because of a special on Australia’s aboriginal culture a long time ago. If only Western Civilization 12 was taught like how this channel enlightens, I may have became an anthropologist instead of journalist. Flash forward to today, this British Columbia based publically funded broadcasting network is continuing with their mission. I mostly watch their specials on ancient history. From time to time, I’ll have their kids programming material playing in the background. In the past, I listened to Bill Nye the Science Guy and tuned into animated adaptations of popular children’s books I grew up reading.
Over the many decades of programming, their Knowledge Kids brand, now in their tween years, is only getting better. Not only can people find it on air Saturday mornings but also to watch on the go on iOS, Android or Roku enabled devices. In 2021, they’re offering something old and something new. I had a chance to correspond with Michele Paris, the Senior Manager of Children’s Programming, on what’s coming up:
How long has Knowledge Kids been around?
Knowledge Network had kids programming on the channel since the mid-1980s. (Fun fact Knowledge Network is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021!) Knowledge Kids debuted on-air in 2008 and we’ve been expanding ever since. The original Knowledge Kids app launched in 2015, with new platforms added continuously, right up to today’s Knowledge Kids app for Fire Stick, released this year.
What makes this speciality service unique when compared to other offerings?
Knowledge Kids is entirely free and commercial-free across Canada. No subscription required! The kids programming is carefully vetted and selected by a human (who is also a mother). Kids can find a great mix of educational and entertaining shows and parents don’t have to sweat where it’s coming from.
How was the Fall line-up curated? That is, was there any specific criteria in deciding what shows would headline the Autumn season?
A new season of television is always a balancing act: there’s crowd-pleasers (more Paw Patrol!), cool new shows (Gus The Itsy Bitsy Knight), new takes on old favourites (a reboot of Clifford the Big Red Dog), sneak-in-the-learning titles (Elinor Wonders Why) and homegrown series (ABC with Kenny G, produced in Vancouver and Sweet Tweets, produced in Kelowna). We try to find something for every little kids’ unique needs and interests.
What are the chances of bringing back classics like Little Prince or George Shrinks in the future?
We’re only acquiring shows produced in HD that are more recent. If you love George Shrinks, check out Gus The Itsy Bitsy Knight, (starting September 6), which also features a tiny protagonist having big adventures!
Aside from having targeted programming for ages 2-8, is it possible to bring familiar franchises, like Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy to this service? I never could find this on the services I’m subscribed to.
We’re Transformer fans too! But the Knowledge Kids brand leans more towards educational and commercial-free content. But, do please check back with us in 2022 when we launch a new show involving some awesome animal characters who transform into adventure rangers.
Do you have any closing remarks?
If you haven’t seen it already, check out our home-grown half-hour special Luna, Chip & Inkie in The Festival of Wishes. The music, from Vancouver composer Daniel Ingram, is awesome. You can sing along to the video clips online here!
(Fall Lineup is on page 2)
Fall Lineup
Beginning Sept 6, 2021
NEW EPISODES AVAILABLE BI-WEEKLY
In season 8 of the global hit, Ryder and his pack of rescue pups find new ways to work together to help the citizens of Adventure Bay. They use reasoning, teamwork and just the right high-tech vehicle to analyse the situation, come up with a plan and work together to accomplish their goals.
Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021
Small in stature but big in courage and kindness, Gus is ready for action in this new animated series. Set in medieval times with a modern twist, it follows the diminutive knight as he pursues adventures on his electric pony. Gus’s world includes fellow knights, princesses and the big guy, Daddy King, along with rascals like Stinky-Dragons, Warticious, the Shadow Knight and his naughty Knight-Knights. Although Gus’ quests rarely go as planned, he’s sure to learn plenty of life lessons along the way!
Elinor Wonders Why
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021
Elinor is a curious little bunny. When she encounters something she doesn’t understand, she can’t let it go until she figures it out! With the help of her friends Ari, an imaginative bat, and Olive, a perceptive elephant, there’s lots to learn and explore in Animal Town – like the best way to engineer a pillow fort and why Ari’s Velcro watch strap only sticks to certain things. Engaging and fun, the series encourages children to follow their curiosity, ask questions and find answers using science enquiry skills.
ABC with Kenny G
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021
Fans of the award-winning Canadian series 16 Hudson will recognize the star of these swinging little animated shorts – the grumpy cat Kensington, who seems unimpressed by all the daytime shenanigans in the neighbourhood. But when night falls and the humans go to bed, Kensington (or rather his alter-ego Kenny G) comes to life. He rounds up a bunch of animal buddies and slinks down to the basement boiler room – home to the local “milk & cookies” jazz club. There, he croons late-night ABC songs (L is for lazy lobsters, leaping lemurs and lively loons) to his grooving groupies. Now that is one cool cat!
Dog Loves Books
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Forget about bones – there’s nothing these two dogs like better than chewing on a good book. (Thankfully not in a literal sense!) Dog is cool, calm and unflappable – a dog of few words. Pug is enthusiastic, flappable and very, very chatty. They may be opposites, but the two best pals share a love of stories. When Dog’s bookshop closes for the day, he picks up a book from the shelves and then he and Pug are off on an exciting, imaginative adventure. Whimsical and humorous, the series aims to foster interest in reading, especially among young boys.
Let’s Go Luna (new episodes)
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
Andy, Carmen and Leo travel the world with their parent’s circus (Circo Fabuloso), learning about new countries and meeting new people In the new season of this Socials Studies -themed series, they visit Iceland and India, the United States, Ghana in Africa, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Polynesia, Mexico, Scotland, China, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Jamaica and England. Explore traditions, music, food, ceremonies, legends and sea monster sightings!
Geronimo Stilton
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
Adventure-comedy based on the globally-popular book series featuring the adventures of the most famous mouse journalist Geronimo and his fearless nephew Benjamin and sister Thea.
Clifford the Big Red Dog (new episodes)
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
Emily Elizabeth and her big red dog, Clifford, along with Pablo, Jack and Samantha, explore their island home, lending a paw to neighbours in need. Each episode has an original song. Based on the popular Scholastic books, this new series is a reboot of the 90s classic.