Reading Rainbow Makes a Comeback: Beloved PBS Classic Rebooted 20 Years After Finale
Reviving a Classic: ‘Reading Rainbow’ Returns in a New Digital Format
Education and Entertainment Blend in the New Era of ‘Reading Rainbow’
In a year filled with challenges for public media, there’s a bright spot on the horizon: the much-loved ‘Reading Rainbow’ is making a comeback. Originally a beloved PBS series, the show is set to return in a brand-new digital format. Buffalo Toronto Public Media in Buffalo, New York, is spearheading this revival, ensuring that the essence of the original series continues to inspire new generations.
New Digital Series Launches on KidZuko
The revamped ‘Reading Rainbow’ will launch as a digital series on Saturday, October 4, on KidZuko, the kid-friendly YouTube channel owned by Sony Pictures Television. This new edition will feature Mychal Threets, a talented librarian and digital creator, as its host. Viewers can look forward to new episodes every Saturday until October 25, each accompanied by engaging vertical videos to enhance the viewing experience.
A Legacy of Literacy and Celebrity Appearances
The original ‘Reading Rainbow’ ran on PBS from 1983 until 2006, with LeVar Burton famously hosting the program. This new iteration seeks to build on the same mission of promoting reading and literacy, reaching audiences through modern digital platforms. The series will feature several celebrity guests, including ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa, ‘Fantastic Four’ actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and books narrated by stars like Adam Devine, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen.
Public Media’s Changing Landscape
Launching ‘Reading Rainbow’ digitally comes at a time when public media faces significant challenges. Earlier this year, for the first time in decades, the U.S. government, under the Trump Administration, rescinded $1.1 billion in federal funding for public broadcasters, affecting PBS and NPR. This has led to budget cuts at local PBS stations, making the revival of a classic show a noteworthy and welcome development.
The return of ‘Reading Rainbow,’ even in a digital format, brings hope and continuity to the mission of fostering a love for reading, marking a crucial milestone in the evolving landscape of public media.
