FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 7/28/2026 — PBS North Carolina celebrates the tenth anniversary of Rootle, its 24/7 PBS KIDS channel. Rootle supports families across North Carolina with free, enriching media content and resources that prepare children for school and life.
“For a decade, Rootle has been more than a television channel—it is a trusted companion in early learning, bringing educational resources, joyful experiences and lifelong learning opportunities to communities across North Carolina,” said Lauren McDowell Pyle, PBS North Carolina’s Director of Children’s Media and Education Engagement. “This vital work was made possible by the tremendous support of our members, donors and partners, including state agencies, schools, libraries and community organizations. We’re proud of the impact we’ve made together.”
Rootle launched July 1, 2016, as North Carolina’s 24/7 PBS KIDS channel. It provides educational programming for children ages 2–8, including PBS KIDS favorites like Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and local content. Today, the Rootle broadcast channel is available in more than 4.2 million homes across the state and has expanded to encompass a livestream, a YouTube channel and online and in-person engagement, including the Rootle Roadster Tour, Rootle Discovery Corners and the Rootle Ambassador Program.
Since its launch, Rootle has developed several original productions that celebrate North Carolina families, educators and communities, including Teacher Time, Girl Power!, Rootle’s Block Party Live, NC Community Highlights, the Telly Award-winning STEM series Mini Fab Science Lab (offered in English, Spanish and with onscreen American Sign Language) and the new series Health Heroes.
Rootle’s reach in all 100 North Carolina counties is also made possible by in-person community events, educational initiatives and local partnerships. The Rootle Roadster Tour has engaged thousands of children and caregivers through community stops that promote literacy, STEM learning, social-emotional development and family engagement. (Visit pbsnc.org/RoadsterTour for info on upcoming stops in Currituck, Macon and Sampson counties.)
Rootle Discovery Corners bring fun hands-on learning experiences to communities year-round. These playful learning nooks in community spaces offer children and caregivers a welcoming environment to watch, play, explore and share together. Currently, Rootle Discovery Corners have been installed in 73 counties across the state: all 41 counties in eastern North Carolina, 17 counties in central North Carolina and 15 counties in western North Carolina.
Launched in 2020, the groundbreaking Rootle Ambassador Program connects young learners and their families to much-needed early learning resources with the help of local education champions. Rootle Ambassadors customize PBS KIDS educational content and other early learning resources to fit the unique needs of families in their local communities. Since the program’s launch, Rootle Ambassadors have engaged their communities in 700+ learning events with 330+ local partner organizations, reaching a conservative estimate of 111,000 families. In 2025, the program achieved a major milestone by expanding its reach to all 100 counties in the state.
“Rootle is proud to be a trusted educational partner to families, caregivers and educators across the state,” added Pyle. “With the ongoing support of our generous donors and partners, Rootle will continue to nurture young learners and their families well into the future.”
Acknowledgments
Rootle is made possible with support from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, Dogwood Health Trust, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Camber Foundation, NC 529 and the PNC Foundation. Rootle is grateful to have collaborated with hundreds of local and national partners, including Positive Childhood Alliance NC; The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.; Book Harvest; The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, NC State University; Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill; Fred Rogers Productions; and Sesame Workshop.
To learn more about Rootle, visit pbsnc.org/rootle.
About PBS North Carolina
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC,Rootle PBS KIDS, the Explorer Channel and the North Carolina Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
For press info and resources, email press@pbsnc.org.