‘Teletubbies,” the occasionally maligned though very popular children’s series about four alien-like creatures with TV screens in their bellies, will return in January with segments pushing diversity.

NEW YORK — First “Sesame Street,” then “Barney” and now “Teletubbies”: The PBS programs for the youngest TV viewers are getting new looks in the face of intense competition for children’s attention.

A deal between BBC Worldwide and AOL will result in internet broadband video segments of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po, starting today. The agreement will launch with 50 Teletubbies ...