The new PBS KIDS animated preschool series Lyla in the Loop will premiere on Feb. 5 at 8 a.m. on ETV-HD. Lyla in the Loop follows Lyla, a dynamic seven-year-old girl, who lives in a big city with her close-knit family, fantastical blue sidekick Stu, and a host of relatable and quirky characters in her community. These characters use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address a range of everyday problems together.
In every adventure, Lyla and Stu introduce and explore foundational computational thinking concepts, leading to some comedic disasters and creative solutions, all while helping others in their community. The series will support a wide range of learners, modeling flexible approaches to finding and designing solutions, and creative self-expression. The series pulls inspiration for its setting from Philadelphia, creator Dave Peth’s homebase, and includes vocals by students from the public School District of Philadelphia in the series theme song, composed and performed by Grammy-nominated musician, Divinity Roxx.
In addition to broadcasting weekdays on ETV-HD, the series will also air weekdays at 8 a.m. on the SCETV KIDS channel and will be available to stream in the SCETV and PBS Kids apps.
In addition to the show, interactive episodes will be produced that incorporate AI-assisted conversation with the main character, Lyla. During the episodes, Lyla will ask the viewer questions, utilize responsive AI technology to understand what the viewer says and respond accordingly. These episodes will undergo efficacy research to assess children’s learning and engagement and will be released to audiences at a later date. Lyla in the Loop digital content for kids, families and teachers, launching in tandem with the series, will reinforce its core messages, support play and experimentation with computational thinking skills, and encourage creative expression.
The new series, which will debut in both English and Spanish, is produced by Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios. The series funding was provided by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a grant from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Ready To Learn Initiative, a federal program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families.
View the theme song for Lyla in the Loop.
QUOTES
“We are thrilled to bring the exciting and educational world of Lyla in the Loop to young viewers across South Carolina. This series is a testament to our commitment to providing enriching content that sparks curiosity and learning in children. Lyla in the Loop not only entertains but also introduces fundamental computational thinking concepts in a creative and engaging manner. As we premiere this series on ETV-HD, we look forward to fostering a love for learning and problem-solving among our young audience, helping them build essential skills for the future.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell
“Lyla in the Loop represents a significant milestone in our efforts to offer diverse, meaningful educational experiences for children. The series seamlessly integrates computational thinking concepts into everyday problem-solving scenarios, encouraging critical thinking and creativity. The inclusion of interactive episodes, featuring AI-assisted conversations with Lyla, adds an innovative dimension to the learning experience. We believe that this approach will not only captivate young minds but also contribute to their cognitive development. As we embrace the digital age, Lyla in the Loop sets a new standard for educational programming, empowering children to explore, learn and express themselves in a fun and imaginative way.” –SCETV Chief Learning Officer Dr. Salandra Bowman
FAST FACTS
- Lyla in the Loop premieres on Feb. 5 at 8:00 a.m. on ETV-HD.
- The series follows Lyla who uses creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address a range of everyday problems.
- New episodes will be available to stream in the SCETV and PBS Kids apps.
- Interactive episodes will be produced that incorporate AI-assisted conversation with the main character, Lyla.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including By The River, After Action, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice and How She Rolls. In addition, SC Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.
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’s 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 confirm that PBS’s 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 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.
Media Contact:
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
803-737-3337
