Wind Dancer Films, the film and television company behind TV sitcoms and box office successes, has announced production on Season 2 PBS KIDS animated series Ready Jet Go! The new season, which will feature 24 all-new episodes, an hour-long special and a collection of new web games and mobile apps. The production which has kickstarted this month is set to launch in late 2017.
Created by Craig Bartlett (Dinosaur Train, Hey Arnold!), Ready Jet Go! takes 3-8 year-old viewers on far-flung, fun and learning-rich adventures through astronomy, technology, scientific exploration, innovation, and invention. The series incorporates live-action interstitials with noted NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory astrophysicist Dr. Amy Mainzer, a science curriculum consultant for the show.
“Our goal with Ready Jet Go! is to ignite kids’ natural fascination about space and inspire them to explore the endlessly exciting and ever-evolving world of science,” said Wind Dancer Films, principal and executive producer of the series, Dete Meserve. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with PBS KIDS to bring a whole new season of engaging adventures to young viewers from coast-to-coast.”
PBS, Children’s Media and Education senior VP and GM, Lesli Rotenberg said, “PBS KIDS is pleased to introduce new episodes of Ready Jet Go!, which extends our commitment to using the power of media to spark children’s curiosity and love of learning. Research demonstrates the importance of starting to build kids’ STEM skills early, especially in underserved communities, which is why Ready Jet Go! is such an important part of PBS KIDS’ educational media.”
Ready Jet Go! follows Jet Propulsion, the new kid in town who also happens to be an alien from outer space. Along with his Earthling friends Sean and Sydney, Jet goes on intergalactic explorations through the solar system, finding out about our planet and the environment – as well as friendship and teamwork – along the way. Each episode of Ready Jet Go! poses a question about outer space or Earth science and Jet and his fellow explorers must use scientific thinking skills and inquiry practices to discover the answers. The series’ trademark humor, catchy tunes and digital games make the learning even more fun and effective.
Ready Jet Go! is produced by Wind Dancer Films with Meserve as well as company founders Matt Williams and David McFadzean as Executive Producers. Season 2 of Ready Jet Go! is funded in part 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.
Since its February premiere on PBS KIDS, Ready Jet Go! has reached 22 million viewers, including 7.6 million kids on linear TV. Ready Jet Go! content has been streamed more than 93 million times since January.
In addition to airing on PBS stations, full-length segments from Ready Jet Go! are available for streaming on pbskids.org and on the free PBS KIDS Video app on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast. The series is also on Amazon Prime Video.
The Ready Jet Go! consumer products program, to include licensed toys, publishing, apparel and more, will begin landing at retail next year.