Decades after they went off the air, classic PBS kids' shows like Reading Rainbow and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood still hold a place in the hearts of many kids of the '70s, '80s and '90s. If you grew up in this era, maybe you wished there was a way to share these shows with the kids in your life without having to pay per episode on a streaming site or watch grainy clips on YouTube.
Well, now you can, thanks to PBS Retro, Roku's new free, ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel. bad news? Some of your favorite shows may be missing from the lineup—at least for now.
How to Watch Classic PBS Kids Shows on Roku
You can access PBS Retro through the Roku Channel on smart TVs, Roku devices, the company's apps and web browsers. The channel broadcasts 24/7. It might be a little uncomfortable at first to see commercials airing during a show that originally aired on public television, but to bring more of Dame Elaine Fairchild and Betty Aberlin back into our lives , which is only a small price to pay.
You can also watch some classic PBS adult programming on your Roku (who are we kidding, PBS Retro is 95% adult-friendly), airing on PBS Food, PBS Antiques Roadshow, Julia Child, Antiques Road Trip, and the PBS Nature channel.
What shows are available on PBS Retro?
As of now, you can watch Reading Rainbow , Mister Rogers' Neighborhood , Thomas and Friends, Kratts' Creatures, and Zoboomafoo for free on PBS Retro. These are the only shows mentioned in the article on The Wrap, and the first to be announced; it's unclear if more products will be added to the channel in the future.
Ultimately, that will depend on ownership and distribution, but we hope these shows are just the beginning, with other classic shows — like The Letter People, 3-2-1 Contact , Newton's Apple , and Wishbone — — will follow.
