Press
Biz Kid$ to Launch on American Forces Network
Christopher Morris
608-231-4374
cmorris@ncuf.coop
Youth Financial Literacy Show to Reach Military Families Worldwide
Madison, Wis. – On June 8th, Biz Kid$ will premiere worldwide as new programming from the American Forces Network (AFN) on military bases overseas. Biz Kid$ is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.
“Financial literacy has never been as important as it is now and it is critical that young people learn how to manage their money more now than ever before,” said Larry Marotta, Director, Television, AFN. “We are thrilled to premiere BizKid$ on our AFNfamily channel in June and are grateful to the producers and to the underwriters for making such a thoughtful and fun program available to our military families serving our nation overseas.”
Biz Kid$ is donating the first 26 Episodes (101-126) to AFN. The episodes cover a wide variety of personal finance topics such as budgeting, saving, entrepreneurship, credit, and more.
The Department of Defense operates AFN, which is a worldwide radio and television broadcast network that serves nearly one million American service men and women, Department of Defense civilians and their families overseas, stationed at bases in 175 countries, as well as 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea. AFN broadcasts the most popular American radio and television programs from all the major networks and is a service of the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) oversees fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities of Biz Kid$, which recently started its fifth season. Over the past six years, more than 290 credit unions and affiliated organizations have raised more than $13.2 million that has supported the show’s production, website and curriculum. In fact, every Biz Kid$ episode begins and ends with a narrator reminding viewers that: “Production funding for Biz Kid$ is provided by America’s Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money.”
“As a veteran who served overseas I know how important it is for members of our military to be able to watch American television through AFN on their off time,” said Christopher Morris, NCUF Director of Communications and former United States Army member. “It’s also critically important for service members and their children to better understand their finances and achieve financial freedom. Thus Biz Kid$ is a great fit for this new audience.”
Biz Kid$ – Teaching Kids about Money & Business
Biz Kid$, which premiered in January 2008, quickly grew into a national phenomenon. Since the series launch, Biz Kid$ has been broadcast to more than 271 million people, in more than 98% of the country. Of all APT children’s programs currently on the air, Biz Kid$ has the largest national market penetration in the United States, airing on more than 338 public television stations. When compared to children’s programs of a similar target demographic, Biz Kid$ has more viewers, a larger number of broadcasts, and a higher metered market count.
Many credit unions leverage Biz Kid$ to teach financial education in schools in their community. In addition to NCUF’s box sets and starter kits, companion materials and other resources for teachers and parents are 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.
Biz Kid$ has continually garnered attention in and outside of the credit union industry. In its first four seasons, Biz Kid$ has garnered seven Emmy nominations—winning once in 2009—and rang the closing bell ceremonies at both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Exchange for the past three years in conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month. In 2010, it also won the credit union industry’s most prestigious honor, the Herb Wegner Award for Outstanding Program.
About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):
The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.
NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Corporate Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Mutual. All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make financial freedom achievable through credit unions.
The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. NCUF continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.