Read Along Hour is a weekday television block designed to build children’s literacy skills and bring back the joy of stories.
Kenya celebrity couple Nameless and Wahu have partnered with Switch On | Read On ( a global literacy initiative driving innovative approaches to children’s reading) and Akili TV for a new children’s timeslot called Read Along Hour.
Read Along Hour, which will begin every weekday beginning 5 – 6 PM from Feb 23rd 2026 and is aimed at transforming familiar screen time into an engaging, shared reading experience for children and their parents by embedding Literacy Grade Subtitles into popular children’s programming.
The initiative also supports reading development while meeting families where they already are, at home and around the TV.
Nameless and Wahu say the initiative strongly aligns with their values and experience.
“Reading is the foundation of how children learn, express themselves and understand the world,” said celebrity and musician Wahu. “As parents, we’re constantly looking for ways to make learning feel natural and enjoyable at home. ‘Read Along Hour’ does exactly that, turning everyday TV time into an opportunity for growth. When children see reading reflected in the content they love and parents feel empowered to be part of that journey, the impact is lasting.”
The ‘Read Along Hour’ will feature beloved classics such as ‘Supa Strikas’ and science adventure show Wild Kratts.
“As an artist and video editor, I have always been fascinated by subtitles. I have realised that many fans never fully caught our earlier lyrics simply because subtitles weren’t a thing added onto music videos years back. The reality is that reading through subtitles naturally builds literacy,” said Nameless.
Each episode is supported by an L-Bar, displayed at the beginning and end of the show, highlighting the total number of words read, three tricky spellings and three advanced words. This feature is designed to spark short, meaningful conversations between children and caregivers, encouraging pronunciation practice, while unpacking the meanings together.
Henry Warren, Switch On | Read On Founder, said of the initiative: “Stories are powerful teachers. If you’re a parent who cares about your child’s literacy, this is one of the simplest things you can do, and it’s completely free. Just tune in at 5 PM.”
According to a recent report study by Usawa Agenda, 50% of Grade 6 students in Kenya are unable to read a Grade 3-level English story, highlighting the urgent need for family-friendly reading interventions.
“At Akili TV, we believe entertainment and education should go hand in hand,” said Jeff Schon, CEO and Co-founder of Akili TV. “If children are already watching, that time should give something back.”
