After nearly twenty years off the air, Reading Rainbow is making its long-awaited return. The beloved children’s literacy series relaunched on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, with librarian and viral reading advocate Mychal Threets as its new host. The reboot will premiere on the KidZuko YouTube channel, marking a new era for the classic program that first inspired millions through PBS.

The original Reading Rainbow ran from 1983 to 2006, earning 26 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Hosted by LeVar Burton, it helped generations of children fall in love with reading through books, storytelling, and exploration.

Threets expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, sharing a full message on social media:

“I was raised on Reading Rainbow. LeVar Burton is my hero. I am a reader, I am a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow so powerfully made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere. This is an absolute dream come true. Thank you, LeVar, for lighting the path. I’ll do my best to keep the rainbow shining.”

The new series will consist of four weekly episodes, each premiering on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Eastern. Celebrity guests including John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Adam DeVine, and Gabrielle Union will join to read children’s stories and discuss their favorite books.

Producers say the revival aims to honor the original show’s educational values while meeting modern viewing habits. Alongside full episodes, Reading Rainbow will release short-form vertical videos to reach children on mobile devices.

LeVar Burton publicly supported the revival, posting,

“Reading Rainbow never truly left us. Its spirit has always lived in the hearts of those who believe in the power of books. I couldn’t be more proud to see Mychal Threets carry this legacy forward.”

While a second season has not yet been confirmed, producers have described the early response as overwhelmingly positive. The team hopes that this relaunch will inspire a new generation of readers and carry on the show’s timeless message that “reading takes you anywhere.”