This study involved a content analysis of 25 episodes of "Barney and Friends," a popular children's television series by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). The study examined the literacy elements of "Barney and Friends" through the perspectives of emergent literacy theories. The purposes of the study were: (1) to find out what opportunities for literacy learning are offered by "Barney and Friends"; and (2) to evaluate how literacy messages conveyed by the show reflect current understanding of the process of becoming literate. Four dimensions of the show were examined as part of the content analysis: physical setting, reading activities, writing activities, and listening and speaking activities. Findings showed that, in general, "Barney and Friends" provided children with rich literacy learning experiences. In particular, the show provided children many listening and speaking opportunities, such as storytelling, dramatization, and singing along to nursery rhymes. The study suggests that the show would benefit from more reading aloud, writing activities, and attention to environmental prints displayed during an episode. (Contains 13 references.) (EV)