Credit Union Sponsored TV Series Will Air on PBS Stations in New York State Starting January 2008

ALBANY, NY (01/08/2008)(readMedia)-- Starting early in 2008, PBS television stations in eight New York markets will be broadcasting Biz Kid$, a television series exclusively underwritten by America’s Credit Unions. (Please see attached schedule for dates and times.)

Biz Kid$ is a fun, fast-paced series designed to teach kids about money. It is produced in high definition by the award-winning creators of Bill Nye the Science Guy, which won 26 national Emmys and the National Science Board Public Service Award, among others. The eight PBS stations have committed to broadcast the first 26 episodes of this new series beginning in January 2008.

Each episode of Biz Kid$ will come with teaching materials developed by Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide to be used in classrooms and homes. Companion materials and other resources for teachers and parents will be available at no cost on the Biz Kid$ website, www.bizkids.com. The site also features clips from the series and invites kids to appear on the show.

Website visitors can now sign up for the Biz Kid$ monthly newsletter, The Vault. The e-mailed newsletter offers ideas on how kids can start their own businesses, earn money, and make their money grow.

“We profile real kids running real businesses, from big companies with product lines to small businesses like dog-walking,” says Biz Kid$ Executive Producer Jamie Hammond. “The series also shows kids who are running businesses to advance social causes and give back to their communities. This humanizes the financial literacy aspect of the production and shows kids the range of possibilities available to anyone who wants to become a biz kid.”

“Statistics show that Americans are saving money at the lowest rate since the Great Depression, which is one reason why there is such a great need for a show of this nature,” said Diane LaVigna-Wixted, executive director of the New York Credit Union Foundation. “And why the Foundation has made a three-year monetary commitment to such a worthwhile endeavor.”

Biz Kid$ is produced in association with JA Worldwide and WXXI Public Broadcasting in Rochester, New York. It is distributed by American Public Television. Major funding for Biz Kid$ is provided by a coalition of America’s Credit Unions, led by the National Credit Union Foundation and the Washington Credit Union Foundation.

JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA Worldwide provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA Worldwide offers educational programs that focus on three key content areas: entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. Today, 140 individual area operations reach more than four million students in the United States, with an additional 4.3 million students served by operations in 114 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org

The New York Credit Union Foundation, the charitable arm of the New York State Credit Union League, works to help improve the financial literacy and independence of New Yorkers. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.nycuf.org.

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Biz Kid$ Schedule for New York State

WMHT, Albany, NY

  • Fridays, 5:30 PM beginning Jan. 11
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 on digital "Think Bright" channel

WSKG, Binghamton, NY

  • Fridays, 5:30 PM beginning Jan. 11
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 on digital "Think Bright" channel

WNED, Buffalo, NY

  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 and Fridays 5:30 PM starting Jan. 18 on digital "Think Bright" channel

WNET, New York, NY

  • Fridays at 5:30 PM on digital Kids Thirteen starting Jan. 11
  • Sundays, 5 PM beginning Jan. 27 on HD channel

WCFE, Plattsburgh, NY (Mountain Lake)

  • Saturdays, 8:30 AM beginning Jan. 12
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 on digital "Think Bright" channel

WXXI, Rochester, NY

  • Fridays, 5:30 PM beginning Jan. 11
  • Sundays, 10 AM beginning Jan. 13
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 and Fridays 5:30 PM starting Jan. 18 on digital "Think Bright" channel
  • Sundays, 5 PM beginning Jan. 27 on HD channel

WCNY, Syracuse, NY

  • Saturdays, 9:30 AM beginning Jan. 12
  • Fridays and Sundays at 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM starting Jan. 18 and Jan. 20 respectively on cable channel WCNY2
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 on digital "Think Bright" channel
  • WPBS/WNPI, Watertown, NY*
  • Sundays, 8 PM beginning Jan. 13 on digital "Think Bright" channel

- Some stations will also air additional repeats on the digital "Think Bright" channel.

- Some stations will air it on their HD digital channel beginning on Sunday, January 27 at 5 PM.

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