Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
NBC Nightly News Kids Edition
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Kid-oriented newscast helps teach media literacy.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
NBC Nightly News Kids Edition
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Best show ever!
Kid-Friendly!
What's the Story?
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS KIDS EDITION is an NBC news series produced for children. NBC's Lester Holt anchors the newscast, which includes short segments about current events, young people doing inspiring things, and other interesting news stories. Kid reporters also deliver some exciting information, too. Specific installments of the series feature experts that help answer kids' questions about some of the more disturbing or scary things being discussed in the headlines.
Is It Any Good?
This series offers child-friendly journalism by covering timely, factual accounts in ways that young viewers can understand easier than its adult-oriented evening news counterpart. Top stories address events that are headlining across the world, such as the spread of COVID-19, and ongoing race-related protests. But the reporting is less overwhelming for young viewers to process, even though the facts remain the same. Furthermore, many of these stories explain, rather than simply report, events so that children will have an easier time understanding what's happening around the world. More importantly, these narratives are presented in ways that invite young viewers to talk to their parents about them. The time spent on these stories is purposely limited, and most newscasts follow them with youth profiles, features about animals, and other pieces that help keep the overall newscast upbeat. NBC Nightly News Kids Edition is a great viewing option for young news enthusiasts. It also offers a great opportunity for young people to work on their critical thinking skills while becoming more media literate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different stories that appear in each news cast. How does NBC Nightly News Kids Edition specifically make the conversations about difficult topics easier for kids to process?
What kinds of stories are excluded from the Kids Edition newscasts? Why? Given that this is supposed to be factual news, is it appropriate to do so?
What is media literacy? Why is it important for kids to be media literate, especially when it comes to the news?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 15, 2020
- Cast: Lester Holt
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 14, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best News Sources for Kids
Educational TV Shows for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate