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"Reading Rainbow" is coming back to television screens!
Nearly two decades after the popular children’s show signed off, it will return this month – and with an all-new host.
‘Reading Rainbow’ returning to TV
What they're saying:
"After nearly 20 years…Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course…new books! Make sure to follow the rainbow," the program captioned Monday in an Instagram video announcing its relaunch.
The new series will be hosted by Mychal Threets and produced by Boston Toronto Public Media, which launched the original series.
FILE: Reading Rainbow logo (Credit: Daniel Zuchnik/FilmMagic)
Mychal Threets, also known as Mychal the Librarian on the series, said on Instagram, "There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And… me, Mychal Threets, a librarian."
He continued: "I was raised on Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton is my hero. I am a reader, I am a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow so powerfully made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere."
The series will feature new friends and celebrities including Rylee Arnold, Ezra Sosa, Bellen Woodard, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. New books will also be narrated by Jamie Chung, Gabrielle Union, Adam DeVine, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.
Where to watch ‘Reading Rainbow’
What's next:
New episodes of "Reading Rainbow" will premiere and be available starting on Saturday, Oct. 4.
You'll be able to watch the series on KidZuko, Sony Pictures Television's children's YouTube channel starting Oct. 4, according to the Hollywood Reporter. New episodes will air Saturdays through Oct. 25.
"Reading Rainbow" is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio. The series is even available on the PBS Retro FAST channel, which is available on Prime Video, TCL, Roku and Vizio.
Legacy of "Reading Rainbow"
The backstory:
Launched in 1983, Reading Rainbow became the most watched PBS program in the classroom. The series was formulated because of the "summer loss phenomena," whereby a child loses some of his or her reading abilities because they tend not to read during the summer, according to the show's website. While the concept of Reading Rainbow began as a summer program, it quickly grew into a broadcast blockbuster, classroom staple and cultural icon.
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During its 26-year run, Reading Rainbow garnered more than 250 awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, Telly Awards, Parent’s and Teacher’s Choice Awards, and a total of 26 Emmy Awards, including ten for outstanding series.
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