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Once Upon a Classic is an American television program hosted by Bill Bixby that aired on PBS from 1976 to 1980 as a production of WQED in Pittsburgh.^[1]

The episodes consisted of adaptations of such classic literature as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (which won a Peabody Award), Leatherstocking Tales, The Talisman, and The Prince and the Pauper; some of these adaptations were produced by other broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom. There were also some original teleplays.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b Woolery, George W. (1985). Children’s Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 380–382. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.

External links

Once Upon a Classic at IMDb

Awards for Once Upon a Classic

Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Series
Entertainment Children’s Series (1974–1984)	Sesame Street (1973) Zoom (1974) Sesame Street (1974) Star Trek: The Animated Series (1975) Sesame Street (1975) The Big Blue Marble (1976) Sesame Street (1976) Zoom (1977) Sesame Street (1977) Captain Kangaroo (1978) Sesame Street (1978) Kids Are People Too (1979) Sesame Street (1979) Hot Hero Sandwich (1980) Sesame Street (1980) Captain Kangaroo / Once Upon a Classic (“A Tale of Two Cities”) (1981) Sesame Street (1981) Sesame Street (1982) Captain Kangaroo (1982) Sesame Street (1983) Captain Kangaroo / The Smurfs (1983) Sesame Street (1984) Captain Kangaroo / The Smurfs (1984)
Children’s Instructional Programming (1976–1979)	Schoolhouse Rock! (1976) Sesame Street (1977) Schoolhouse Rock! (1978) Schoolhouse Rock! (1979)
Informational Children’s Series (1976–1979)	Go (1976) The Electric Company (1977) Animals, Animals, Animals (1978) The Big Blue Marble (1979)
Children’s Informational/Instructional Series (1980–1984)	Sesame Street / 30 Minutes (1980) 30 Minutes (1981) 30 Minutes (1982) Sesame Street (1983) ABC Weekend Specials (1984)
Children’s Series (1985–2016)	Sesame Street (1985) Sesame Street (1986) Sesame Street (1987) Sesame Street (1988) Newton’s Apple (1989) Reading Rainbow (1990) Sesame Street (1991) Sesame Street (1992) Reading Rainbow (1993) Sesame Street (1994) Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (1995) Reading Rainbow (1996) Reading Rainbow (1997) Reading Rainbow (1998) Bill Nye the Science Guy (1999) Bill Nye the Science Guy (2000) Reading Rainbow (2001) Reading Rainbow (2002) Reading Rainbow (2003) Assignment Discovery (2004) Reading Rainbow (2005) Zoom (2006) Reading Rainbow (2007) Greatest Inventions with Bill Nye / Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild (2008) From the Top at Carnegie Hall (2009) The Electric Company (2010) The Electric Company (2011) The Electric Company / Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild (2012) R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (2013) R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (2014) R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (2015) Sea Rescue (2016)
Pre-School Children’s Series (1995–2021)	Sesame Street (1995) Sesame Street (1996) Sesame Street (1997) Sesame Street (1998) Sesame Street (1999) Sesame Street (2000) Sesame Street (2001) Sesame Street (2002) Sesame Street (2003) Sesame Street (2004) Sesame Street (2005) Sesame Street (2006) Sesame Street (2007) Sesame Street (2008) Between the Lions (2009) Sesame Street (2010) Sesame Street (2011) Sesame Street (2012) Sesame Street (2013) Sesame Street (2014) Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures (2015) Sesame Street (2016) Sesame Street (2017) Sesame Street (2018) Sesame Street (2019) Sesame Street (2020)
Children’s or Family Viewing Series (2017–2020)	Give (2017) Free Rein (2018) Odd Squad (2019) Ghostwriter (2020)
Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Program (2021)	The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special (2021)
Education or Informational Series (2018–2021)	Giver (2018) Weird but True! (2019) Could You Survive the Movies? (2020) PBS KIDS Talk About (2021)

Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Special
Children’s Entertainment Special (1974–1984)	ABC Afterschool Special (“Rookie of the Year”) (1974) The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People (“Harlequinade”) (1975) The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People (“Danny Kaye’s Look-In at the Metropolitan Opera”) (1976) Special Treat (“Big Henry and the Polka Dot Kid”) (1977) ABC Afterschool Special (“Hewitt’s Just Different”) (1978) Special Treat (“The Tap Dance Kid”) (1979) ABC Afterschool Special (“The Late Great Me: Story of a Teenage Alcoholic”) (1980) ABC Afterschool Special (“A Matter of Time”) (1981) ABC Afterschool Special (“Starstruck”) (1982) ABC Afterschool Special (“The Woman Who Willed a Miracle“) (1983) ABC Afterschool Special (“The Great Love Experiment”) (1984)
Children’s Informational Special (1976–1984)	Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown (1976) ABC Afterschool Special (“My Mom’s Having a Baby”) (1977) ABC Afterschool Special (“Very Good Friends”) (1978) Razzamatazz (1979) The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People (“Why a Conductor”) (1980) The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People (“Julie Andrews’ Invitation to the Dance with Rudolf Nureyev”) (1981) Kathy (1982) No Award (1983) CBS Schoolbreak Special (“Dead Wrong: The John Evans Story”) (1984)
Children’s Anthology/Dramatic Programming (1980)	ABC Weekend Specials (“The Gold Bug“) / CBS Library (“Animal Talk” and “Once Upon a Midnight Dreary”) / Once Upon a Classic (“Leatherstocking Tales”) (1980)
Children’s Special (1985–2003)	CBS Schoolbreak Special (“All the Kids Do It”) (1985) CBS Schoolbreak Special (“The War Between the Classes“) (1986) ABC Afterschool Special (“Wanted: The Perfect Guy”) (1987) CBS Schoolbreak Special (“Never Say Goodbye”) (1988) ABC Afterschool Special (“Taking a Stand”) (1989) CBS Schoolbreak Special (“A Matter of Conscience”) (1990) Lost in the Barrens (1991) Vincent and Me (1992) ABC Afterschool Special (“Shades of a Single Protein”) (1993) Lifestories: Families in Crisis (“Dead Drunk: The Kevin Tunell Story”) (1994) Lifestories: Families in Crisis (“A Child Betrayed: The Calvin Mire Story”) (1995) CBS Schoolbreak Special (“Stand Up”) (1996) Elmo Saves Christmas (1997) In His Father’s Shoes (1998) The Island on Bird Street (1999) Summer’s End (2000) Run the Wild Fields / A Storm in Summer (2001) My Louisiana Sky (2002) Bang Bang You’re Dead (2003)
Children/Youth/Family Special (2004–2007)	The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie (2004) Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks (2005) Reality Matters (“Teen Sexuality”) (2006) Saving a Species (The Great Penguin Rescue”) (2007)

Former PBS Kids original programming

1960s–1980s debuts

PBS

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968–2001)
The Electric Company (1971–1977)
Zoom (1972–1978)
Rebop (1976–1979)
Once Upon a Classic (1976–1980)
The Clyde Frog Show (1976–1977)
Studio See (1977–1979)
3-2-1 Contact (1980–1988)
Reading Rainbow (1983–2009)
Don’t Look Now (1983)
Newton’s Apple (1983–1999)
WonderWorks (1984–1992)
OWL/TV (1985–1990)
The Secret City (1985)
Square One Television (1987–1992)
Shalom Sesame (1988–1992; 2010–2011)
Zoobilee Zoo (1988)
Ramona (1988–1989)
Shining Time Station (1989–1996)
Long Ago and Far Away (1989–1993)

Syndicated¹

Hodgepodge Lodge (1970–1984)
Carrascolendas (1970-1977)
Inside/Out (1972–1973)
The Adventures of Coslo (1972–1977)
Villa Alegre (1973–1980)
Big Blue Marble (1974–1983)
Vegetable Soup (1975–1978)
Readalong (1976–1979)
Powerhouse (1982–1983)
Size Small (1982–1990)
The Adventures of the Lollipop Dragon (1983)
Today’s Special (1984–1994)
Storylords (1984)
The Voyage of the Mimi (1984)
Captain Kangaroo (1986–1992)
Learn to Read (1987–1988)²
Writer’s Realm (1987)
Saludos (1987)
The Second Voyage of the Mimi (1988)

1990s debuts

PBS

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995)
Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
Lamb Chop’s Play-Along (1992–1995)
Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
Behind the Scenes (1992)
Kino’s Storytime (1992–1997)
In the Mix (1993–2012)²
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1994–1999)
The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
The Puzzle Place (1995–1998)
Plaza Sésamo (1995–2010)
Wishbone (1995–1997)
Katie and Orbie (1995–1998)
Kratts’ Creatures (1996)
Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996–1997)
Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2000)
Tots TV (1996–2002)
Arthur (1996–2022)
Theodore Tugboat (1996–2002)
Wimzie’s House (1997–2001)
The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998–1999)
Teletubbies (1998–2004)
Noddy (1998–2000)
Zoom (1999–2005)
Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
Dragon Tales (1999–2005)

Syndicated¹

The Wind in the Willows (1990–1993)
Mark Kistler’s Imagination Station (1993–1998)
The Cartoon Factory (1993)
You Can Choose! (1993)
Gerbert (1993–1997)
Math Vantage (1993)
Whirligig! (1993)
Beyond the Front Page (1993)
The Story of Read-Alee Deed-Alee (1993)
Shamu TV (1993)
Jack Houston’s ImagineLand (1994–2000)
Pappyland (1994–1997)
Kidsongs (1994–1998)
The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–1999)
The Huggabug Club (1995–2000)
The Big Comfy Couch (1995–2009)
Preschool Power (1995)
The Shelley T. Turtle Show (1995–1997)
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (1995–1997)
Get Real! (1995–1997)
Bloopy’s Buddies (1996–1998)
The Reppies (1996)
Animal Tales (1996–1998)
Crossroads Cafe (1996)
Groundling Marsh (1997–2000)
Skinnamarink TV (1997–1999)
The Slow Norris (1997–1999)
Salty’s Lighthouse (1997–1998)
Backyard Safari (1997–1998)
Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Stories from My Childhood (1998–2001)
Someday School (1998–2001)
Salsa (1998–2002)
Once Upon a Tree (1998–2000)
A Place of Our Own (1998–2011)
Reading Allowed (1998–2001)
NASA Connect (1998–2005)
Standard Deviants (1999–2000)
Grandfather Reads (1999–2003)
Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1999–2001)
Wish*A*Roo Park (1999–2001)
Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle (1999–2001)
Ricky’s Room (1999–2000)

2000s debuts

PBS

Between the Lions (2000–2010)
Caillou (2000–2013)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003)
Corduroy (2000–2001)
Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
Timothy Goes to School (2000–2002)
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000–2002)
Seven Little Monsters (2000–2003)
George Shrinks (2000–2003)
Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001–2005)
Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2002)
DragonflyTV (2002–2008)²
Angelina Ballerina (2002–2006)
Liberty’s Kids (2002–2003)
The Berenstain Bears (2003–2004)
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003–2007)
Clifford’s Puppy Days (2003–2006)
Boohbah (2004–2006)
Peep and the Big Wide World (2004–2011)
Thomas & Friends (2004–2017)
Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)
Maya & Miguel (2004–2007)
Bob the Builder (2005–2011)
Make Way for Noddy (2005–2007)
It’s a Big Big World (2006–2010)
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2010)
Franny’s Feet (2006–2010)
Curious George (2006–2024)
Design Squad (2007–2012)
Super Why! (2007–2016)
WordGirl (2007–2015)
WordWorld (2007–2011)
Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies (2007–2008)
Animalia (2008)
Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
Martha Speaks (2008–2014)
Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013)
Lomax, the Hound of Music (2008)
The Electric Company (2009–2011)
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009–2010)
Dinosaur Train (2009–2021)

Syndicated¹

The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2003)
Lil’ Iguana (2000–2001)
Redwall (2001–2002)
Anne of Green Gables (2001–2002)
Reading Rockets (2001–2009)
MythQuest (2002)
Mary Lou’s Flip Flop Shop (2002)
The Toy Castle (2003–2004)
Real Wheels (2003–2004)
My Bedbugs (2004–2005)
Curiosity Quest (2004–2015)
The Biscuit Brothers (2004–2012)
Auto-B-Good (2005–2006)
Ribert and Robert’s Wonderworld (2005–2008)
The Shapies (2005–2007)
Mustard Pancakes (2005–2007)
Danger Rangers (2005–2006)
The Zula Patrol (2005–2008)
Signing Time! (2006–2008)
Nanalan’ (2006)
The Saddle Club (2006–2009)
Sheira & Loli’s Dittydoodle Works (2006–2007)
SeeMore’s Playhouse (2006–2008)
Miffy and Friends (2007)
Biz Kid$ (2008–2017)
Raggs (2008–2009)
Jonathan Bird’s Blue World (2008)
Wunderkind Little Amadeus (2008–2009)

2010s–2020s debuts

PBS

Pocoyo (2010–2011)
SciGirls (2010–2023)
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018)
Peg + Cat (2013–2018)
Space Racers (2014–2016)
Bob the Builder (2015–2018)
Nature Cat (2015–2025)
Ready Jet Go! (2016–2023)
Splash and Bubbles (2016–2018)
Pinkalicious & Peterrific (2018-2025)
Let’s Go Luna! (2018–2022)
Esme & Roy (2019–2021)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019–2022)
Hero Elementary (2020–2022)
Jelly, Ben & Pogo (2021–2022)
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2023)
Mecha Builders (2024–2025)

Syndicated¹

Scientastic! (2010)²
Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2014)
Mixed Nutz (2014)
Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab (2015–2016)
Bug Bites (2016)
Ruby’s Studio (2016)
Mack & Moxy (2016)
Young Voices for the Planet (2016–2019)
Kids for Positive Change (2021–2024)
Skillsville (2025–2026)

Current original series template
All programs were distributed by PBS unless noted.
¹ Aired on select public television stations via American Public Television (APT) or another program distributor.
² Instructional program.