FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — The credit union-sponsored BizKid$ TV show finally went "live" with no less than 279 stations in 43 states signed up to air the pre-taped financial literacy telecast during its first week of national broadcasts in January.

The rollout–representing 81% of potential stations in the Public Broadcasting System–was aired from Seattle to Buffalo. Staffers at the National Credit Union Foundation in Washington, D.C. and the Washington Credit Union League, the two key financial backers of the project, were elated that PBS participation was going far better than expected. The penetration included three of the top TV markets: Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

For months, state leagues have been encouraging their members to watch the 26-part series as well as downloading and customizing BizKid$ brochures, posters, postcards and statement stuffers. In many locales, CUs were able to tagline each broadcast with "brought to you by the credit unions of …" under local agreements with affiliates.