Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Returns to PBS KIDS for Season 8
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the animated PBS KIDS series from Fred Rogers Productions, will return for an eighth season. Set to premiere in 2026, Season 8 of the well-loved series that models practical life skills for young children will feature ten new episodes. The order will include two half-hour specials, one introducing Daniel’s cousin, who is adopted, and another showcasing New Year’s Eve traditions in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. In keeping with the thoughtfulness for which the series has become known, the upcoming season will address relatable themes for preschoolers and their parents, including adoption, managing morning and nighttime routines, cleaning up, patience, and more. It will also revisit its classic “grown-ups come back” parenting strategy with new stories and present a new strategy based on the classic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood song, “Let’s Think of Something to Do While We’re Waiting.”
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and its helpful, singable strategies have resonated with families since the series first launched in 2012, and it continues to be a favorite today,” said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer, Fred Rogers Productions. “We’re excited to provide a new season of quality content that includes valuable life lessons while furthering the legacy of Fred Rogers with fresh stories, characters, and adventures.”
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a shining example of the core mission of public media—to help preschoolers and their families navigate everyday situations and tackle challenges together in positive ways,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We are proud to bring Season 8 to PBS KIDS, sharing meaningful and fun stories from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to uplift, inspire, and enrich the lives of our viewers.”
Fred Rogers Productions will produce new Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood games for the free PBS KIDS Games app and pbskids.org in tandem with Season 8. The company will also work to enhance the accessibility of its popular existing games so that even more children can play and benefit from them. Additionally, Fred Rogers Productions will host several webinars to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the game development for the series in an effort to continue to grow and serve the community of developers who are new to creating educational games for children.
Each episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood showcases two distinct stories starring Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them on their adventures as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Each half-hour includes one story from Daniel’s perspective and another from the point of view of other characters including Katerina Kittycat, Miss Elaina, O the Owl, Prince Wednesday, Jodi Platypus, Max, and Chrissie. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of every show so preschoolers, parents, and caregivers can sing along and incorporate them into their daily lives. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. Executive producers are Angela C. Santomero, creator of the series; Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions; and Vince Commisso, president & CEO, 9 Story Media Group. Supervising Producers are Chris Loggins (Fred Rogers Productions) and Coral Schoug (Brown Bag Films). 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing and distribution rights for the series.
