PBS KIDS is seeking original literacy-themed pitches from creators in underrepresented communities.

The US pubcaster wants to greenlight a series for kids ages three to five that it can extend across platforms including digital games, books, short videos and hands-on activities. The concept needs to focus on teaching practical, everyday literacy skills that preschoolers need.

PBS KIDS is open to hearing from first-time creators and those who are new to the industry and haven’t made a kids series before. If selected, the creator will develop and produce a pilot with the pubcaster as it decides if it will greenlight the project. PBS KIDS is accepting pitches through to June 18, and interested creators should fill out this form to be considered.

To answer questions and get creators thinking about kids literacy, PBS KIDS is also hosting webinars on April 28 and May 3. More info about these two events is available online.

This is the first of several open calls for pitches PBS KIDS plans to put out to the industry. Funding for this specific one comes from a Ready to Learn grant PBS received from the US Department  of Education in October. Working with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the pubcaster has already used some of the funding to team up with kids media producers and create new educational content, including a podcast accelerator.

Photo courtesy of Catherine Hammond on Unsplash.