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“Anybody producing a show like this is not doing it independently. We can’t do it by ourselves. Anybody who thinks they can is really delusional.”
Creating a PBS Kids world around weather and STEM
On this episode of Inside Indies, Bishop Porter sits down with Emmy-winning broadcaster and producer Al Roker alongside bestselling novelist and producer Dete Meserve to discuss Weather Hunters, the PBS Kids animated series blending weather science, STEM education, and family storytelling.
For Roker, the project united several lifelong passions. “My first love really is animation,” he explains, sharing that his childhood dream was to become an animator for Walt Disney. Combined with his decades-long career in meteorology, the concept for Weather Hunters grew naturally from his experiences visiting schools and hearing teachers say, “Weather is the number one topic elementary and middle school kids care about.”
The series also draws heavily from Roker’s own family life. “It really does represent my family,” he says, noting that the show’s sibling dynamics and newsroom-inspired characters were influenced by his wife and children.
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Why ‘Weather Hunters’ stands apart
Meserve immediately connected with the project’s educational mission. “I love STEM,” she declares. “Let’s start with that. I love science and I love weather.” For her, the appeal went beyond science education. The series also emphasizes curiosity, empathy, and emotional growth within the Hunter family.
Unlike many children’s programs built around short-form pacing, Weather Hunters takes a slower, story-driven approach. Roker explains that the production opted for full 22-minute episodes instead of two shorter segments, giving stories room to breathe. “Let’s not add to ‘Short Attention Span Theater’ syndrome,” he says.
The production itself was massive in scale. Meserve describes coordinating writers across Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta while overseeing more than 250 animators in Nova Scotia. “It’s 880 minutes of animation,” she explains, alongside mobile games, digital shorts, curriculum reviews, and outreach programming.
A collaborative production effort
Throughout the conversation, both creators stress that large-scale independent productions require extensive teamwork. “We are interdependent on each other,” Roker says, emphasizing how many artists, educators, composers, animators, and production teams contributed to the final series.
Meserve echoes that sentiment while discussing the attention given to every detail. “We do work on seriously every frame, every word,” she explains, describing the extensive collaboration required to ensure educational accuracy, emotional resonance, and long-term impact for young audiences.
Advice for creators entering children’s media
For aspiring producers and creators, Meserve stresses the importance of patience and subject mastery. “It takes a lot of time,” she says, explaining that projects evolve and improve through collaboration. She also warns against oversimplifying children’s content. “That is the opposite of what we do.”
Roker adds that creators should stay grounded in purpose. “It should be something you really believe in,” he says, especially when producing content designed to influence children.
Together, Roker and Meserve offer a clear reminder that impactful children’s programming is built through collaboration, care, and a genuine belief in the audience it serves.
Curious how collaboration powers successful productions? Connect with our team to learn how we support television, animation, and independent productions every step of the way.
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