There is more Reading Rainbow in our future. Sony Pictures Television has ordered an additional 24 episodes of the beloved literacy program with Mychal Threets, (aka Mychal the Librarian), set to return as host. Additionally, Daytime Emmy-winning producer Kristen McGregor (Blippi’s Treehouse, Ms. Rachel, Sesame Street) joins as executive producer and showrunner.
SPT, in collaboration with Michael Davies’ Embassy Row and Buffalo Toronto Public Media, will produce and distribute the series with talks already underway. Exclusive shortened episodes will also be available on Kidzuko, SPT – Kids YouTube channel, which was launched in 2024.
The new episodes will feature new celebrities and books, which will be announced at a later date.
“When I saw the response to the relaunch of Reading Rainbow and the enthusiasm for Mychal as host, it was clear there is a passionate audience that truly values educational children’s programming,” said Davies, EP and President of Embassy Row. “This series offers more than entertainment—it empowers viewers through reading, which feels especially critical at a time when literacy rates are in historic decline. I’m incredibly excited to welcome Kristen and her expertise as we continue to evolve the show and discover what new magic Reading Rainbow can bring.”
In addition to McGregor and Davies (Jeopardy!) via Embassy Row, Reading Rainbow also is executive produced by Tom Calderone and Nancy Hammond for Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
Hosted by LeVar Burton, Reading Rainbow ran for 23 seasons, from 1983-2006, originally on PBS and later on PBS Kids. It returned in 2025 as a four-episode reboot, with Threets as host. Produced by Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the reboot aired on the KidZuko YouTube channel every Saturday from Oct. 4-25, 2025. The four episodes, which have amassed over 4.79 million views on YouTube, are currently available on Kidzuko. The first episodes of the revival featured celebrity guests including Dancing With The Stars‘ Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa, author Bellen Woodard (More Than Peach) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear). Books were narrated by Jamie Chung, Gabrielle Union, Adam DeVine, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen.
“We’ve been working for several years to bring Reading Rainbow back, and Michael Davies and Embassy Row have been the ideal partners to help make that vision a reality,” said Tom Calderone, CEO and president of Buffalo Toronto Public Media. “Seeing the impact these first four episodes have already had confirms that the timing is right — and that evolving the series for today’s audiences is both necessary and meaningful.”
Embassy Row produces for Sony Pictures Television, in association with Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
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