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// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Fred Rogers Productions a neighbor to success? Yes, it's a beautiful day in the ratings.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Family Communications)
Fred Rogers Productions
Founded1954; 72 years ago (1954) (as Small World Enterprises)
February 6, 1971; 55 years ago (1971-02-06) (current non-profit company)
TypeNon-profit
Television Production
Film Production
Tax ID no. 25-1215087
Legal status501(c)(3)
Location
Websitefredrogers.org
Formerly called
Small World Enterprises, Inc. (1954–1971)
Family Communications, Inc. (1971–2010)
The Fred Rogers Company (2010–2018)

The Fred Rogers Company, doing business as Fred Rogers Productions, is an American non-profit organization and production company specializing in children's programming for public television in the United States. Founded by Fred Rogers, it was initially renamed The Fred Rogers Company in his honor after his death. It produced its flagship program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, under its previous name, Family Communications, Inc.

Founded in 1954 as Small World Enterprises, a for-profit company primarily to license and sell merchandise connected with Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and his earlier series, The Children's Corner.[1] Its first book they published was Our Small World.[2] The company made its national breakout when Small World Enterprises launched its first television series on NET, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which was a blockbuster success.[3] In 1970, Sam Silberman, who worked for WQED, briefly worked for the company, he left in 1971.[4][5]

In 1971, it was reorganized and renamed as a non-profit company Family Communications, Inc., which kept the staff of Small World, which was officially took effect on November 1, 1971.[6] When the flagship series was on hiatus, the company briefly pivoted toward television specials from 1976 to 1979.[7]

In 1985, it struck a deal with CBS/Fox Video to release home video titles under the Mister Rogers Home Video label.[8] In 2005, it struck a deal with Anchor Bay Entertainment to release titles on home video.[9]

Following the death of Fred Rogers in 2003, the company would be headed by his widow Joanne until her death in 2021.[10][11][12] In 2010, the company was renamed to The Fred Rogers Company, and eight years later, the company was renamed from The Fred Rogers Company to Fred Rogers Productions.[13]

Since the early 2010s, The Fred Rogers Company has produced new children's programming, including:

  • Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, an animated conceptual sequel to Neighborhood starring the young families of characters introduced in the former show's Neighborhood of Make-Believe segments[14]
  • Peg + Cat, an animated show based on the picture book The Chicken Problem, introducing concepts of math and problem-solving to young viewers[15]
  • Odd Squad, a live-action show focusing on math and problem-solving, targeting a somewhat older audience than Peg + Cat[16]
  • Donkey Hodie, in association with Spiffy Pictures, which premiered on PBS Kids on May 3, 2021, following the titular character, the granddaughter of the original character appearing in the "Neighborhood of Make Believe" segments of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  • Alma's Way, created by Sesame Street actress Sonia Manzano which premiered on PBS Kids on October 4, 2021

Filmography

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References

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  1. ↑ King, Maxwell (2018). The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers. New York: Abrams Press. pp. 166–167.
  2. ↑ Carey, Josie (1954). Our Small World. Reed and Witting Company.
  3. ↑ Deb, Sopan (2018-03-05). "'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' at 50: 5 Memorable Moments". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  4. ↑ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 25, 1970. p. 68. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 9, 1971. p. 38. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Family Communications". The Pittsburgh Press. November 1, 1971. p. 71.
  7. ↑ "Special Report: Children's Television" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 29, 1979. p. 43. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ Seideman, Tony (1985-10-12). "CBS/FOX Plans Release of BBC Programs" (PDF). Billboard. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  9. ↑ "Mister Rogers' love and legacy live on". Los Angeles Times. 2005-05-05. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  10. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (16 January 2021). "Joanne Rogers, Mister Rogers's Mrs., Is Dead at 92". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  11. ↑ Madani, Doha (15 January 2021). "Joanne Rogers, wife of Mister Rogers, dies at age 92". NBC News. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  12. ↑ Kaufman, Amy (26 November 2019). "How befriending Mister Rogers' widow allowed me to learn the true meaning of his legacy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "The Fred Rogers Company Rebrands to Fred Rogers Productions". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  14. ↑ "Current.org | Next-gen neighborhood from Fred Rogers Co., 2011". current.org. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  15. ↑ "PBS Announces 'Peg + Cat' Premiere". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  16. ↑ Garron, Barry (2014-05-19). "PBS's live-action Odd Squad aims to 'make math relevant' for kids". Current. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
[edit]
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