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Launched in 1983, Reading Rainbow became the most watched PBS program in the classroom. The series was formulated because of the “summer loss phenomena," whereby a child loses some of his or her reading abilities because they tend not to read during the summer. While the concept of Reading Rainbow began as a summer program, it quickly grew into a broadcast blockbuster, classroom staple and cultural icon.


During its 26-year run, Reading Rainbow garnered more than 250 awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, Telly Awards, Parent’s and Teacher’s Choice Awards, and a total of 26 Emmy Awards, including ten for outstanding series.

 

Reading Rainbow (Official)
🌈 Reading Rainbow Is Back with All-New Adventures!

Reading Rainbow is back with all-new episodes! Join Mychal the Librarian for new books, exciting adventures, fun crafts, amazing animals, celebrity narrators, trivia with Emory Memory and new friends who remind us that everyone belongs in the library.

Reading Rainbow, available on digital.

Welcome to the official home of Reading Rainbow on YouTube! Discover a new season of 24 brand-new episodes that inspire a love of reading through books, adventures, crafts and stories. Plus, revisit favorite moments from the classic TV series.

Reading Rainbow® first launched in 1983 to encourage children to read and explore the world around them. Created by WNED-Buffalo, Lancit Media Productions and Great Plains National Instructional Television, the original series produced 155 episodes over 26 years and earned 26 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and more than 200 other broadcast awards.

Now, a new chapter brings the joy and discovery of Reading Rainbow to the next generation. Subscribe and join the adventure!

Reading Rainbow ® and its logo are registered trademark of Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM).

Reading Rainbow
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The Future of Reading Rainbow

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The broadcast and creation of new Reading Rainbow episodes ended in 2006 due to funding challenges and a growing need to update the show’s concept to adapt to changing technology and delivery methods. The series continued to air in re-runs until 2009. The media landscape of children’s programming has expanded considerably since the show’s premiere over three decades ago; there is now an abundance of new shows, channels, and means of watching video, including on-demand, streaming, and on tablets and mobile devices.  These means allow for direct links to related interactive activities and educational games. 

Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM) plans to re-establish Reading Rainbow as a leader in children’s education programming. To meet the needs of kids today and ensure the longevity of the series, it is necessary to adapt to evolving digital media needs and delivery methods. New and emerging technology has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for this type of creative engagement, and there is now more evidence-based research on the most effective teaching strategies across different media. BTPM is currently exploring the most popular and effective methods of developing and enhancing content in order to determine the optimal course of action for reimagining this program.

We have some exciting projects in the works for Reading Rainbow, so check back to our website often and be sure to follow us on social media!