PBS Kids Debut Propelled By More Than 170 Million

Jay Jay the Jet Plane is soaring high! PorchLight Entertainment’s award-winning animated children’s series Jay Jay the Jet Plane officially became a member of the PBS KIDS Ready to Learn Service. Jay Jay’s first week on PBS was a ratings success, comparing favorably to other premieres of PBS’ leading preschool shows.

The premiere ratings in the first couple of weeks on PBS exceeded our wildest expectations, and with over 90% of the PBS stations airing the series, we think the ratings will continue to grow, said Bruce Johnson, PorchLight’s president/CEO and executive producer of Jay Jay, The series has proven to be extremely popular with young children and parents, and we are confident that the exposure on PBS KIDS will help bring this show to hit status.

Recently, Jay Jay got off to a great start with a Today Show window visit and warm welcome from Matt Lauer and cheers of My son loves Jay Jay! from Maria Shriver. Coverage included stories in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, Hollywood Reporter, Dallas Morning News, Entertainment Weekly and numerous parenting publications and local newspapers throughout the nation. The coverage to date has generated more than 170 million media impressions, with stories continuing to hit daily.

Since its launch the Jay Jay website at has generated over 5 million page views and more than 15,000 emails from excited Jay Jay-loving children across the country. Jay Jay received prominent placement on the AOL Parenting site driving millions to the Jay Jay site. The site features a kid-friendly flight simulator, cool games, character bios, show clips, educational activities for parents and teachers and much more.

We are thrilled with the response we are getting for the series since its move to PBS Kids, according to Bill Baumann, executive vice president, COO and CFO of PorchLight Entertainment, The press coverage has been extremely positive and Jay Jay’s presence at Licensing Show was very well received from the licensing community. We have a host of licensees already on board, including Fruit of the Loom, Brighter Child, EMI Music, Haddad Apparel Group and Columbia TriStar Home Video, and additional licensed deals are pending for publishing, bedding, bath items, beach towels, room decor, health & beauty products and toys.

We are delighted that Jay Jay has had such a successful landing on PBS KIDS, said John F. Wilson, co-chief programming executive, PBS. The jet plane is flying-high with kids, parents and the press and we couldn’t be happier.

Jay Jay the Jet Plane follows the adventures of a perky and curious six-year old jet plane named Jay Jay and his airplane friends who live and play at Tarrytown Airport, a place where imagination takes flight. Each half-hour episode consists of two 12-minute stories and two entertaining songs that will make kids get up and dance.

PBS KIDS provides a nonviolent, noncommercial daily schedule that extends beyond the TV screen to the Web, home videos, educational outreach materials and PBS KIDS CHANNEL. The PBS KIDS Ready to Learn Service leverages the television programs with workshops in local communities to help adults boost children's reading and social skills.

About The Author:

Dorothy Zoltovska is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com. Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.