10 Years & Counting: PBS Digital Studios Builds On Its Success As The Home For Curious Minds Online

New Series From The WNET Group, THE BIGGER PICTURE, to Premiere August 9, 2022, on the PBS YouTube Channel Hosted by Harvard University Historian Dr. Vincent Brown

Two New Series From its Regional Digital Centers of Innovation, WELCOME TO ALIEF WITH MO AMER and ROGUE HISTORY, Coming Fall 2022 to PBS Digital Platforms

ARLINGTON, VA (July 27, 2022) - Today at the Television Critics Association's Summer Press Tour, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger announced that the Webby, Telly and Emmy Award-winning PBS Digital Studios is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Having evolved from a small network of YouTube creators to an innovative trailblazer in the digital media space, PBS Digital Studios remains the home for curious minds on the internet with digital-first series, podcasts and multi-platform content across popular genres. To that end, The WNET Group and PBS Digital Studios have announced THE BIGGER PICTURE,a new digital series exploring American history through iconic photographs that have defined national culture and identity. The series, hosted by Harvard University historian Dr. Vincent Brown, will launch on the PBS YouTube channel on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, and will release new episodes every other week.

To explore these iconic images, Dr. Brown holds insightful conversations with experts such as activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis and photographers Andre D. Wagner and Thomas E. Franklin, discussing their making, meaning and historical significance. As a result, audiences are immersed in the cultural and historical moments that lead to these creations.

"PBS is committed to reaching audiences where they are and our younger, more diverse audiences are experiencing content across multiple platforms," said Sylvia Bugg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming. "PBS Digital Studios is an important part of how we accomplish this goal and we are excited to continue serving communities across the country with informative and engaging content on PBS digital platforms."

Since beginning in 2012 to extend PBS's mission of using the power of media to educate, engage and inspire a new generation of media consumers, PBS Digital Studios has launched over 70 original series - 26 of which have been from PBS member stations - two podcasts, and has built a network of highly engaged social communities across multiple platforms. To date, PBS Digital Studios has accrued more than 30 million combined subscribers on YouTube, averages 50 million views each month and has generated more than 3 billion lifetime views.

"As a fan of PBS Digital Studios for many years, it has been an amazing opportunity to lead this team at such a pivotal moment," said Maribel Lopez, Head of PBS Digital Studios. "We are excited that audiences continue to stream and engage with our broad range of ongoing digital series. Now, as we look forward to the next decade, we're on track to extend the reach of PBS's mission to many new audiences across YouTube and PBS digital platforms with multiple series in development."

In addition, PBS remains committedto diversity, equity and inclusion, both in front of and behind the camera. Last summer, PBS Digital Studios announcedthat, with a $3 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), it would establish three Regional Digital Centers of Innovation to create a new pipeline of multi-platform content, resulting in up to 15 new digital series with a focus on elevating diverse voices and stories over two years. In January, PBS announced the three stations selected as Regional Digital Centers of Innovation: Houston Public Media, PBS North Carolina and Rocky Mountain PBS. Currently, Houston Public Media is in production on WELCOME TO ALIEF WITH MO AMER, a series exploring an ethnically diverse neighborhood that, according to Census data, currently mirrors what America will look like in 2050. PBS North Carolina is developing ROGUE HISTORY, a series about the pirate history often overlooked, including stories of female, LGBTQIA and BIPOC pirates. Both series begin streaming this fall.

And last week on PBS Terra,a PBS Digital Studios channel on YouTube dedicated to digital-first science programming, PBS Digital Studios premiered WHY AM I LIKE THIS?, a series about how and why our bodies do what they do. Hosted by Dr. Tina Lasisi, the series takes a unique approach to examining the history and evolutionary biology of human traits through highly engaging animated explainers and plenty of humor. With new episodes premiering each month, the series aims to broaden audience participation and improve learning outcomes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

WHY AM I LIKE THIS? is the second show created with support from a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program. The inaugural series, FAR OUT, is produced by PBS North Carolina and explores the future of science, technology and culture and how these changes may affect humanity and life on Earth. The grant aims to elevate underrepresented voices in STEM media, in particular Black and Hispanic creators, as well as women in general.  

Audiences can find new episodes from PBS Digital Studioson YouTube, on PBS.org and on the PBS Video app, available on iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO. For additional content and conversation, follow PBS Digital Studios on Instagram, TikTok, Twitterand Facebook.

About PBS Digital Studios 

PBS Digital Studios produces original, digital programming designed to engage, enlighten, and entertain online audiences. The PBS Digital Studios network has more than 30 million subscribers on YouTube, generating an average of 50 million views per month, with a total of 3.6 billion lifetime views. Digital Studios has published over 70 original series, including 26 series from PBS member stations. Series include the Webby Award-winning BE SMART and CRASH COURSE, as well as popular series such as TWO CENTS, EONS and PBS SPACE TIME. 

About PBS

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS' premier children's media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV - including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.