PBS Begins Testing Subscription-based, Ad-free Virtual World Aimed At Toddlers

PBS has entered the childrens’ virtual world space with its own subscription-based “online neighborhood.” Dubbed PBS Kids Play, the site is ad-free and is aimed at ages 3 to 6. It’s currently in beta. PBS is offering free trials and claims to offer a pre-school and kindergarten curriculum along with PBS characters such as Curious George and Bob the Builder. The free trails will end before spring. Subscription fees are $9.95 a month, or $79 a year, while local PBS TV affiliates will be able to provide discounts or free access for donors, USAT reports. While charging for such web services are a new thing for PBS, which doesn’t run traditional ads on its network, it does feature messages from “sponsors.”
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-pbs-begins-testing-subscription-based-ad-free-virtual-world-aimed-at-to/

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/2008-01-14-pbs-kids-play_N.htm

http://pbskidsplay.org