Weather Hunters Creators Call PBS Legacy Essential Amid Funding Cuts

Weather Hunters, a PBS KIDS animated series produced with Al Roker Entertainment, aims to teach children about weather and the environment while underscoring PBS's role in accessible, free education. In a recent interview, showrunner Dete Meserve and voice actor Holly Robinson Peete discussed the project's origins, its science-forward approach, and why preserving PBS’s public-education mission matters amid federal funding cuts.

Meserve came aboard the project about a year and a half ago as showrunner and executive producer after PBS greenlit the series alongside Al Roker. She was drawn by the clear STEM mission, the early cast and scripts, and her prior work on Ready Jet Go!, which gave her a sense of the potential impact of this format for kids who see themselves as scientists when they ask questions. The project had already gained momentum and a strong cast when she joined.

Peete, who voices Dot Hunter, described Weather Hunters as a full-circle moment due to her father's Sesame Street legacy and said joining the project felt like a dream come true, especially given the collaboration with Al Roker. The series centers on Lily Hunter, an eight-year-old weather detective, who is joined by her older sister Corky, younger brother Benny, and their parents as they learn about weather, climate, and the environment. The show features a stacked voice cast, including Sheryl Lee Ralph, LeVar Burton, and Yvette Nicole Brown, who performs the Weather Hunters theme song.

Educational consultants and a meteorologist supported Weather Hunters from the outset. They reviewed ideas from the initial premise through scripts and early animatics to ensure the science was accurate and age-appropriate. They also advised on how flight altitude would affect temperature for hot-air balloon episodes, how weather sounds should come across, and even the color and density of clouds. The team’s attention to scientific detail extended to elements like bird calls and the sounds of migrating birds, all with input from subject-matter experts so that weather can feel like a character in each episode.

Recording sessions were largely conducted separately, with actors rarely sharing a booth in the same session. Peete noted that she did not meet most of the other cast members in person until promotional activities began, while Meserve emphasized ongoing collaboration with educators to maintain scientific credibility. The on-screen family dynamics were a major focus, with directors guiding how the Hunter family interacts and how humor from the dad character is delivered, all designed to feel authentic and engaging for families watching together.

Both women tied Weather Hunters to a broader PBS mission they know well. Peete recalled PBS’s impact on her life and the importance of a network that has historically provided diverse children’s programming and societal visibility. Meserve underscored PBS’s values of curiosity and open access, pointing to how Weather Hunters is designed to be accessible across platforms and regions. The show uses free television broadcasts, the PBS app, the YouTube channel, and classroom resources, including printables and activities, designed for teachers and families at no cost.

Weather Hunters is already expanding beyond the animated series. Ten episodes are available, with a total of forty planned to be delivered to PBS over the coming months and years. In addition to animated episodes, the project has five digital shorts that present real weather demonstrations and a slate of mobile games, including Weather Reporter, to engage kids in hands-on weather activities. The team described the approach as a way to meet kids wherever they are, offering real-world weather content alongside the fictional adventures of the Hunter family.

Amid federal funding discussions surrounding PBS, the interview highlighted the network’s enduring value. Peete spoke about PBS as a lifeline for families and communities, noting its role in the country’s educational and cultural history, while Meserve emphasized PBS’s free accessibility and the broad reach across devices and classrooms. They argued that PBS's model—free, vetted, and widely available—helps sustain curiosity-driven learning for children from all backgrounds, even as the media landscape grows more fragmented and costly.

Looking ahead, Weather Hunters is positioned for continued expansion. Meserve indicated that the team is completing work on the remaining episodes and that the series will continue to emphasize science education and curiosity across platforms. The interview framed Weather Hunters as part of PBS’s ongoing legacy, aiming to keep public-education programming alive and thriving for future generations of viewers.