THIRTEEN's Emmy-winning Math Series CYBERCHASE Receives Multi-Year Sponsorship from Ernst & Young LLP

NEW YORK, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public media provider THIRTEEN, the flagship public television station of the New York tri-state area, is announcing that Ernst & Young LLP is continuing its long commitment to THIRTEEN's Emmy Award®-winning series Cyberchase by renewing its sponsorship for an additional five years. Cyberchase is the animated series and transmedia project on PBS KIDS that inspires children to excel in math. The firm has previously sponsored the series, geared for kids 6 to 11, for the past eight years.

"We are gratified to hear EY is once again extending its steadfast support of Cyberchase," says President and CEO of WNET Neal Shapiro. "It seems quite fitting that their latest renewal of this THIRTEEN series also brings its funding commitment to a total of 13 years. We're extremely proud of Cyberchase, our relationship with EY, and the impact that this innovative series is having on kids understanding how math is part of their everyday lives."

"EY's dynamic volunteer program brings Cyberchase to life for kids by collaborating with local schools and community organizations to reinforce the basic math concepts explored in the show through fun, hands-on activities," says Deborah K. Holmes, the EY Americas Director of Corporate Responsibility. "We've reached thousands of kids—and we've provided a great opportunity for professional development and relationship building for hundreds of EY volunteers."

In 2007, the EY/Cyberchase Volunteer Program was created in the US as a way to promote access to education and engage EY employees in local communities. Since then, more than 650 Ernst & Young LLP volunteers have reached more than 1,700 disadvantaged kids in 17 cities with Cyberchase programs and activities. EY professionals help students strengthen important life skills – problem-solving, setting priorities and time management – to expand and enhance their sense of what's possible, increasing the likelihood that they will pursue a college degree.

"By being such a dedicated sponsor of Cyberchase over the years, and specifically through their commitment to education and volunteerism, EY has helped build millions of children's math power," notes Executive Producer Sandra Sheppard. "We're excited to continue our relationship and to engage a whole new generation of Cyberchase fans in the fun and adventure of math!"

Cyberchase, which premiered in 2002, tells the story of three diverse kids summoned into cyberspace to stop the villainous Hacker (voiced by Christopher Lloyd). Working together, they use math and logic to save the day. A live-action epilogue, Cyberchase For Real, brings math into the real world in a fun and comedic way. Cyberchase remains the only national math project for school-age children on television.

Cyberchase reaches millions of children, parents, educators and community organizations through its TV series, immersive web games, mobile apps, outreach initiatives, educator resources, bilingual traveling museum exhibit and more. More than 20 research and evaluation studies have demonstrated Cyberchase's power to increase children's knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for mathematics.

Cyberchase airs on public television stations nationwide (check local listings). All episodes are available for free streaming using the PBS KIDS Video App or the Cyberchase website, and the website also features more than 50 interactive math games and hands-on activities. More information about Cyberchase apps for iPad, Android, Kindle and NOOK is available at pbskids.org/apps. For teachers, Cyberchase makes nearly 400 lesson plans, video clips and interactives available for free download and streaming through PBS LearningMedia, PBS' digital media service for K-12 classrooms.

Cyberchase is produced by THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Executive Producers are Sandra Sheppard, THIRTEEN's Director of Children's & Educational Media, and Ellen Doherty. Funding for Cyberchase is provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, The JPB Foundation and Ernst & Young LLP. Additional funding is provided by the Volckhausen Family.

About WNET
As New York's flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit http://www.ey.com/.

Ernst & Young LLP is an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

About PBS KIDS 
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs.  Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers.  For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

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SOURCE THIRTEEN/WNET