Reading Rainbow done after 26 years

Reading Rainbow, once one of PBS's most popular shows geared toward kids, has now been cut of the air. Its last episode aired on Friday, closing the book on the more than two decade old show.

The show was geared towards encouraging kids to read. John Grant, head of content at PBS, said in an interview with NPR that "the series resonates with so many people." Continuing that this show didn't teach kids how to read, but rather why to read.

According to NPR, money was short and funding was cut for this much loved show. More money is going to be put into shows that teach reading, aspects such as phonics and spelling.

Along with the show, the Reading Rainbow website will be discontinued come December. However, the program will still be usable in the classroom, since off-air educational rights will be available for a year.

All is not last however, as PBS and member station WNED are in talks about creating a website that embodies the ideas of this educational show.