PBS Show Reading Rainbow to End 26 Year TV Run
Do those lyrics sounds familiar to you? If you were a kid in the 80s or 90s or if you had children during those decades and even now, you recognize the beloved theme song to the classic PBS show, Reading Rainbow. After 26 years of production, the last chapter on Reading Rainbow is closing.
Hosted by Levar Burton (Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation) Reading Rainbow is a kids' show that challenges children to read new books and shows them how reading can take them on amazing adventures to places they never dreamed of.
Every person I tell this news to, adult, child, teen, is appalled that the show is now longer going to air on PBS. So, why the change? Has Levar Burton decided to call it quits? Is Reading Rainbow no longer gaining viewers? How about none of the above?
PBS executives blame two reasons for the cancellation of Reading Rainbow. Budgets (imagine that?) are cited as the first reason. The yearly production of Reading Rainbow costs PBS several hundreds of thousands of dollars to broadcast. Everyone is in a budget crunch, and a publicly funded television station is certainly not an exception. The second reason that executives state is a shift in what educational television programming looks like. Reading Rainbow does not do anything to try and teach children how to read, but rather why they should read.
Current research seems to show that educational television should be used as a tool to teach children the specifics of phonics to promote true literacy. Since Reading Rainbow is not about phonics, letter recognition, or spelling, it's an easy show to can.
As a school librarian I am saddened by this educational shift. In my opinion, if you get children to read books because they want to read them, because they are excited about reading, then their ability levels increase naturally. It is simple cause and effect and I have seen it happen first hand.
But I'm just a librarian, someone who sees kids reading every day, someone who grew up on Reading Rainbow. But, "You don't have to take my word for it," (Reading Rainbow fans will get the quotes here). Ask a dozen people you know their thoughts on ReadingRainbow and I bet you'll get similar reactions of nostalgia and sorrow.
Sources: www.npr.org
Current, August 2009
The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
Published by Emily Harmon - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
I am a happily married mom of an elementary school aged boy and toddler girl. I work full time in the education/library field and part time as a crafter/artisan. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI know I'm a bit late in responding, as I don't have a television in my apartment but it saddens me to know that a show I adored and one my daughter has grown to love has been cancelled. It was such a wonderful way to introduce children to a variety of stories. Teaching a child to read does not teach them to LOVE to read. :(
My boys LOVED this show when they were younger, but it hadn't been on the air here in a long time. Too bad too, because this really was one of the better PBS shows for kids out there.
This is sad news - my kids and grandkids have all watched this over the years excellent article though!
I am another shocked product of Reading Rainbow!?!? Who knew? This show is loved by my three children and I was a faithful watcher as a child. My children have actually learned so much from that show because it is not just about reading. The show features an actual topic and provides viewers with someone from that background. What a horrible horrible thing! My children will be so upset:(
That is just too sad. What a great show.
I've never seen this, but I wish they'd keep this and get rid of some of the reality shows.
Seriously, this is a great show, much better than the stupid, mind numbing shows that are supposed to "teach" kids but do absolutely NOTHING.
With all the trash there is on television today, they choose to get rid of a great educational show like Reading Rainbow? Sad..........
All my children have watched this show..I'm surprised it lasted this long, even though we loved it. :)
This is really sad. SO many kids grew up with this show.