One of the biggest dogs in children’s television is heading back to PBS Kids.
As reported in the Hollywood Reporter, new animated version of Clifford the Big Red Dog is officially in the works, with PBS Kids planning a reboot of the longtime preschool favorite for 2027. The series will once again follow Clifford and Emily Elizabeth, though this version plans to lean harder into comedy while keeping the lessons about friendship and social skills that made the franchise a staple for generations.
According to 9 Story Media Group, the reboot will run for 26 episodes, each lasting 11 minutes. Animation will be handled by Brown Bag Films, the same studio behind several popular preschool series.
PBS Kids executives said the new show will focus on helping younger viewers navigate social situations. Episodes will center on problem-solving, making friends, joining groups, and learning how to include others during play. Of course, there’s also the fact that Clifford is still absolutely gigantic, which remains part of the joke.
“Clifford has been a favorite with children and families for generations, and we can’t wait to reintroduce this Big Red Dog to PBS Kids audiences across the country,” said Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids and Education.
The franchise has been around for more than six decades. Author Norman Bridwell first introduced Clifford in 1963. Since then, the character has grown into one of the most recognizable children’s brands in publishing. Scholastic said more than 135 million Clifford books have been printed in 20 languages. The property also spawned multiple TV adaptations and a live-action movie in 2021 from Paramount Pictures.
The reboot is also expected to launch alongside a new interactive game tied to the series.
The announcement arrived alongside another PBS Kids update. Super Why! is also getting new life through a spinoff series titled Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures. The show premieres Oct. 5, 2026.
The new series follows Super Why and the Super Readers as they battle goofy villains in Reader Valley. Returning characters include Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Alpha Pig, while a new hero named Power Paige joins the group.
For PBS Kids, the back-to-back announcements continue a growing push toward recognizable family brands at a time when children’s programming has become increasingly fragmented across streaming services and YouTube channels. For parents who grew up reading Clifford books or watching Super Why before school, it may also feel a little strange realizing the “classic” shows from their childhood are now old enough for reboots.