Comcast to offer new PBS kids' show

WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) -- Philadelphia's Comcast Communications Corp. plans to launch a Public Broadcasting Service option for preschool children on its video-on-demand system.

Called "PBS Kids Sprout," the shows will feature favorites such as Bob the Builder, the Teletubbies and Elmo at no extra charge on Comcast digital-cable systems with video-on-demand service, the Washington Post said Wednesday.

Comcast subscribers can watch those programs in any order and at any time by selecting them from an on-screen menu with their cable box's remote control. The cable giant also is offering "Sprout" as a conventional channel in the fall.

Comcast owns 40 percent of the new service, with Barney creator HIT Entertainment owning 30 percent and with PBS and Sesame Workshop holding 15 percent each.