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Six PBS television stations in Illinois started airing Biz Kid$ in January 2008. The participating stations are: WTTW - Chicago, WEIU - Charleston, WQPT - Moline, WTVP - Peoria, WILL - Urbana, and WMEC - Macomb/WSEC - Springfield/WQEC - Quincy.
Biz Kid$ is a fun, fast-paced series designed to teach kids about money which is produced by the Emmy Award-winning creators of "Bill Nye the Science Guy." Additionally, Biz Kid$ airs on all High Definition Channel PBS stations (approximately 100) on Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Every episode begins and ends with a narrator reminding viewers that "Production funding for Biz Kid$ is provided by America's Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money." The program is being shown at air times that are great  for the target audience of young people.
There already are 279 PBS stations (of 340 PBS stations) which have contracted to carry Biz Kid$. This number is anticipated to increase in the next few weeks. As a reference, the highly popular and successful PBS show "Bill Nye the Science Guy" initially launched on 40 stations. Biz Kid$ is already airing in the UK/Ireland on the business channel and getting rave reviews.
Credit unions can download and customize new promotional materials from the website. There are brochures, flyers, postcards and statement stuffers that credit unions can use to encourage their members to watch the 26-part series. Go to www.jabizkidspr.com and click on "marketing collateral" to access these items.
Teaching materials which coordinate with each episode have been created by Junior Achievement and are available at no cost to credit unions who are interested in bringing the program into local schools. Resources for teachers and parents are available on the Biz Kid$ website (www.bizkids.com). The site also features show clips and invites kids to appear on the show. Website visitors can also sign up for a monthly Biz Kid$ newsletter, "The Vault."
The Illinois Credit Union Foundation and the Illinois Youth Involvement Council have helped underwrite the production costs of the Biz Kid$ series. Local PBS station sponsorships of the show are available. If you are interested in being a local Biz Kid$ sponsor, please contact Melanie Murphy at the League office (800-942-7124). As we receive more information, we will pass it along to you.
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