PBS Kids is doubling down on nostalgia with a purpose: the network has confirmed a fully reimagined animated series based on Clifford the Big Red Dog is in production and headed to screens in 2027, while the beloved literacy series Super Why! is also making a comeback with a confirmed PBS Kids premiere date of Oct. 5, 2026, now attached to its revival.
For parents of preschoolers and early-elementary-age kids, this is a significant moment for children’s public television.
A Big Red Dog For A New Generation
The new Clifford the Big Red Dog series is not simply a refresh of earlier versions. According to the official PBS announcement, the show is designed specifically for children ages 3 to 5 and built around a curriculum focused on social skills and community building. The series will teach young viewers how to make friends, join groups, solve social problems, and understand their role within a community — competencies that child development experts consistently identify as foundational to school readiness.
Production is being handled by 9 Story Media Group, the studio behind Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and the earlier Super Why! reboot, with animation coming from Brown Bag Films, the award-winning studio with locations in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali. Jason Hopley, whose credits include Nanalan’ and Corn and Peg, is serving as Head Writer, while Cory Bobiak, known for Peg and Cat and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, is directing.
The series will consist of 26 episodes, each comprising two 11-minute stories, plus an interactive game element designed to reinforce social skill development beyond the screen. That structure mirrors the multi-platform approach PBS Kids has successfully used with other properties, allowing children to engage with educational content in multiple formats.
Why This Reboot Is Rooted in Something Bigger
The original Clifford the Big Red Dog book series, written by Norman Bridwell and first published by Scholastic in 1963, has sold more than 135 million copies and been translated into 20 languages. That kind of global reach gives the character an unusual level of multigenerational recognition — meaning the parents watching alongside their preschoolers today likely grew up with Clifford themselves, whether through the books or the 2000 animated series. A 2019 animated version also aired on PBS Kids, so the new 2027 production will be the franchise’s third animated iteration.
Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager of PBS Kids and Education, framed the revival in terms of what children need right now. She told PBS, “Giving kids the skills, knowledge, and encouragement they need to connect with others and sustain relationships is more vital than ever to prepare them for success in school and life.”
Scholastic’s Chief Strategy Officer and President of Scholastic Entertainment, Iole Lucchese, who is also serving as Executive Producer on the new series, emphasized the evolution of storytelling. “Since he first filled a page, Clifford the Big Red Dog captured the heart of Scholastic and his adventures connected with readers everywhere, creating remarkable, global recognition,” Lucchese told PBS. “This new series builds on Clifford’s most endearing traits through fresh storytelling, creating new opportunities for audiences and marking an exciting step in the continued growth of the franchise.”
Vince Commisso, President and CEO of 9 Story Media Group and Executive Producer for the new Clifford series, described the creative direction as leaning into comedy while preserving the emotional warmth that has always defined the character. “We’re also proud to once again partner with PBS Kids, a trusted home for a brand that has resonated with families for generations,” Commisso said in the PBS announcement.
Super Why! Is Also Coming Back
The Clifford news is not the only reason parents of young readers should pay attention. Super Why!, the PBS Kids series that uses fairy tales and phonics to build early literacy skills, is also returning — and unlike the Clifford reboot, which is still a year away, the Super Why! revival already has a premiere date locked in of Oct. 5, 2026.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news of that confirmed date alongside the Clifford announcement, packaging both returns as a significant moment for the PBS Kids lineup.
Super Why! Originally ran on PBS Kids from 2007 to 2016 and was aimed at children ages 3 to 6. Its focus on reading readiness, spelling, and comprehension made it a staple in classrooms and living rooms for nearly a decade. A revival brings that curriculum back at a time when early literacy remains a pressing concern for educators and parents alike.
What This Means for Audiences
For parents navigating an increasingly crowded children’s media landscape, the return of two curriculum-driven PBS Kids properties is worth noting. Both Clifford and Super Why! were built with educational intent from the ground up, not retrofitted with learning goals after the fact. The new Clifford series, in particular, appears to address a growing challenge many parents and teachers have flagged: helping young children develop the social and emotional tools they need to build friendships and function in group settings.
PBS Kids content remains free to stream through the PBS Kids Video app, pbskids.org, and connected TV devices, with no subscription required — a meaningful distinction for families looking for quality programming without an added monthly cost.
The simultaneous return of two classic PBS Kids series signals something beyond simple nostalgia programming. Public television is making a deliberate bet that parents want content with measurable educational value, not just entertainment.
At a time when screen time debates are louder than ever, shows focused on social skills and literacy give caregivers something concrete to point to when their child asks to watch one more episode.
