-- PBS KIDS TO DEBUT ONE-HOUR ODD SQUAD SAVES THE WORLD SPECIAL THIS JANUARY
Young agents use math and problem-solving skills to save the day in all-new multiplatform event
Arlington, VA, December 18, 2014 On Monday, January 19, PBS KIDS will premiere a one-hour special from its newest media property, ODD SQUAD, a live-action series designed to help kids 5-8 build math and collaboration skills. In Odd Squad Saves the World, kid agents tackle high-stakes cases and work together to overcome obstacles and save the day. Clips and full segments from Odd Squad Saves the World will also be available on pbskids.org, the PBS KIDS Video App and PBS KIDS on Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and Amazon Fire. New episodes from the series will also premiere throughout the week of January 19.
ODD SQUAD focuses on two young agents, Olive and Otto, who are part of Odd Squad, an agency whose mission is to investigate unusual occurrences. A math concept is embedded in each of their cases, as Olive and Otto work together to problem-solve and set things right. ODD SQUAD premiered on PBS KIDS in November 2014 and airs weekdays on PBS stations (check local listings).
ODD SQUAD has already become a family favorite, with more than 58 million video streams on digital platforms to date, said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children's Media, PBS. In this new special, Olive and Otto are tasked with their biggest case yet, offering viewers an action-packed adventure that will keep them engaged with ODD SQUAD's signature humor while helping them learn key skills, including collaboration and perseverance.
The ODD SQUAD website, pbskids.org/oddsquad, offers a variety of engaging games, activities and videos for kids, as well as parent and caregiver resources. New games and activities will be released to coincide with the Odd Squad Saves the World broadcast premiere. Children can also sign up to become Odd Squad agents online and earn rewards as they play math games inspired by the series.
ODD SQUAD is created by Tim McKeon (Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, Adventure Time, The Electric Company) and Adam Peltzman (The Electric Company, The Backyardigans, Wallykazam!) and produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and The Fred Rogers Company.
ODD SQUAD is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the U.S. Department of Education through the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, a program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families, especially those from low-income communities.
Odd Squad Saves the World premieres Monday, January 19, 2015 and repeats Friday, January 23, 2015
Odd Squad Saves the World includes the following four stories:
Rise of the Hydraclops: In order to save the world, Olive and Otto must locate a treasure chest that Oscar buried.
Dance Like Nobodys Watching: When the alarm system at Headquarters is triggered, Olive, Otto, Ms. O and Oscar must avoid a series of booby traps in order to shut it off.
Recipe for Disaster: Olive and Otto explain to Ms. O how a case went wrong, each in their own way.
O Is Not for Old: The agents throw a surprise party for Ms. O.
The following new episodes also premiere throughout the week of January 19:
Hold the Door/Flatastrophe Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Puppet Show/Mystic Egg Pizza Wednesday, January 21, 2015
6:00 to 6:05 Thursday, January 22, 2015
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number-one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
About Sinking Ship Entertainment
Sinking Ship Entertainment is an award-winning production and interactive company that creates and produces groundbreaking kids TV and transmedia content. Since its founding in 2004, Sinking Ship has created and produced numerous children's TV series and has been on the forefront of TV production and interactive media for kids. From being selected as one of the first partners of Amazon Studios with the upcoming series Annedroids to achieving Nick Jr.'s highest debut of all time with the action-packed series Dino Dan, Sinking Ship Entertainment brings dynamic content to audiences around the world with shows broadcast in more than 130 countries. Other series highlights include the award-winning This is Daniel Cook, This is Emily Yeung and Are We There Yet?: World Adventure. Find out more at www.sinkingship.ca.
About The Fred Rogers Company
The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred's values and approach to other efforts in promoting children's social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred's legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company's highly-rated, award-winning children's series include Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Peg + Cat. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org.
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit c
