For millennials, the opening chords of the Reading Rainbow theme song carry a heavy dose of nostalgia. For over two decades, LeVar Burton taught us that a book could take us anywhere. Now, a whole new generation is getting the chance to take that flight.
Sony Pictures Television has officially ordered a massive 24 new episodes of the Reading Rainbow reboot, signaling a major expansion for the beloved children’s literacy series. The pickup comes after a highly successful soft launch last year, where four digital episodes debuted on Sony’s KidZuko YouTube channel and quickly racked up nearly 4.8 million views.
Stepping into the iconic hosting role is Mychal Threets, widely known across social media as “Mychal the Librarian.” Threets has already built a massive, dedicated following through his joyful, affirming advocacy for literacy and library spaces, making him the perfect successor to carry Burton’s 23-year torch.
To ensure the reboot hits all the right educational and entertainment notes, Sony has tapped Daytime Emmy-winning producer Kristen McGregor to serve as showrunner and executive producer. McGregor brings serious heavyweight experience in the children’s programming space, having previously worked on legacy shows like Sesame Street and the modern preschool juggernaut Ms. Rachel.
Produced by Sony’s Embassy Row in partnership with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the reboot arrives at a critical cultural moment.
“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,” Michael Davies, executive producer and president of Embassy Row, shared in a statement. “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.”
The original Reading Rainbow, which ran from 1983 to 2006, was famous for its celebrity book narrators, and the reboot is keeping that tradition alive. The initial four digital episodes featured a stellar lineup of guest narrators, including Gabrielle Union, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Adam DeVine, and Jamie Chung.
While KidZuko will continue to release shortened episodes on YouTube, Sony is currently taking the full 24-episode season to the market, actively seeking a permanent home on a major TV network or streaming platform.
It has been 20 years since the original series signed off the air, but the core mission remains exactly the same: inspiring kids to turn the page.
Photo Credit: Embassy Row Productions
