Martha Speaks (TV series)

This article is about the television series. For the book, see Martha Speaks (book).
Martha Speaks
Created bySusan Meddaugh
Based onMartha Speaks
by Susan Meddaugh
Developed byKen Scarborough
Written byKen Scarborough
Directed byDallas Parker
Colleen Holub
Voices ofTabitha St. Germain
Madeleine Peters
Brian Drummond
Alex Ferris
Valin Shinyei
Cedric Payne
Christina Crivici
Michelle Creber
Vanesa Tomasino
Nicole Oliver
Kathleen Barr
French Tickner
Maxine Miller
Matt Hill
Samuel Vincent
Terry Klassen
Narrated byJ.T. Turner
Theme music composerDaniel Ingram
Hal Beckett
Opening theme"Martha Speaks" (lyrics by Ken Scarborough)
by Robert Wilson (a few spoken-word lines provided by Tabitha St. Germain)
Ending theme"Martha Speaks" (instrumental)
ComposerDaniel Ingram
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6[1]
No. of episodes96[1][2] (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersCarol Greenwald
Chris Bartlerman
Blair Peters
ProducerSarah Wall
Running time28 minutes (approximately 13 minutes per episode)
Production companiesDHX Media Vancouver (seasons 1–4)
Oasis Animation (seasons 5–6)
WGBH Boston
Original release
NetworkPBS Kids (United States)
TVOKids (Canada)
ReleaseSeptember 1, 2008 (2008-09-01) –
November 18, 2014 (2014-11-18)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Martha Speaks is an animated children's preschool television series based on the 1992 children's book of the same name by Susan Meddaugh[3] and debuted on September 1, 2008 on PBS Kids. The series was produced by WGBH Boston in collaboration with DHX Media Vancouver for the first four seasons and Oasis Animation for the final two seasons of the series.

The series focuses mainly on synonyms, phonics, and vocabulary, with each episode featuring an underlying theme illustrated with a wide variety of keywords. The show also occasionally focuses on introducing children aged four to seven[4] to different concepts of science, history, astronomy and other learning concepts (from the Spanish language to passing mentions of it).[a]

On July 6, 2009, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2009. On August 2, 2010, the series was renewed for another two seasons.[5][6] The third season premiered on October 11, 2010 and the fourth season premiered on February 20, 2012.[7] On April 29, 2013, the series was renewed for an additional two seasons. The fifth season premiered on June 24, 2013 and the sixth season premiered on March 31, 2014.[8]

On October 10, 2014, it was announced that the sixth season would be its last. The series finale aired on November 18, 2014.

  1. ^ a b Weiss, Joanna (August 17, 2008). "PBS set to unleash a new tutor". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Publishers Weekly". Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  3. ^ "Martha Speaks . Games . Marthur Sticker Mashup | PBS KIDS". pbskids.org. Archived from the original on 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  4. ^ "About Martha Speaks". PBS KIDS. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Oregon Public Broadcasting". Opb.org. Archived from the original on 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  6. ^ "PBS Kids Greenlights Martha Speaks For Fourth Season". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  7. ^ "WGBH BOSTON'S AND DHX MEDIA'S MARTHA SPEAKS GREENLIT FOR A FOURTH SEASON ON PBS KIDS". WildBrain. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  8. ^ "Martha Speaks #501". Archived from the original on 2014-01-12. Retrieved 2013-04-13.


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