Age of Coronavirus: KCPT Shifts Daytime Programming to Support Kansas City’s Students

Editor’s note: Flatland’s affiliated television media platform, KCPT, has issued the following news release.

KCPT, Kansas City PBS, has announced a shift in programming to better serve caregivers, educators and home-bound students during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

Beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, all previously announced weekday, daytime schedules will change to educational programs and lessons featuring social studies, math, and literacy favorites. The programming updates will remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

“We can’t think of a better use of our airwaves than to serve children, families, and educators with quality public media content during this challenging time,” said Kliff Kuehl, President and CEO of KCPT, Kansas City PBS. “We are excited to offer compelling, educational content on air and online in order to bring us together, even when circumstances force us apart. As Kansas City’s public media, we are here for you– on TV, on the radio and online.”

In addition to the 24/7 Kids programming available on Channel 19.4 and the on-demand streaming available on the free PBS KIDS video app, students pre-K through 12th grade will have access to free, educational PBS programming blocks designated for each grade level weekdays on Channel 19.1.

Channel 19.1 daytime programming will air as follows:

Weekdays 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pre-K – 3rd grade programming for our youngest audiences will offer programs such as the math-focused “Peg + Cat” and “Cyberchase,” as well as history-centric “Xavier Riddle” and science-centered “Sci Girls.”

Weekdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 4th – 8th grade programming for this group of learners offers a social studies focus with programs such as “Africa’s Great Civilizations,” “Reconstruction: America After the Civil War,” and math-centric learning with shows such as “Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World” and “Nova.”

Weekdays 1-5 p.m. 9th – 12th grade programming for high school-level learners will focus on literature, government and U.S./World history with programs such as “The Woman in White,” “A More or Less Perfect Union” and “American Experience.”

KCPT2, KCPT Create and KCPT Kids programming schedules will remain unchanged.

The programming change is part of KCPT’s ongoing efforts to serve its audiences during this unprecedented time.

In addition, KCPT has released a bank of resources online under the banner of “Resources for Learning at Home,” led a community webinar in collaboration with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and updated the frequency of The Backpack parent resource newsletter.

Kansas City PBS’ online resources can be found kcpt.org/learningathome.