Bye-bye big budgets?

After a year of robust investment in new shows and movies, the global content spend is set to rise by just 2% in 2023, according to research firm Ampere—the smallest year-over-year growth in more than a decade. With decreased ad revenue and consumers spending less on entertainment, the shift could make it harder for producers to get shows made.

Union drive

On January 18, Nickelodeon officially agreed to recognize US labor org The Animation Guild (TAG) as the bargaining rep for 177 of its studios’ production workers—the largest group of production workers ever to organize with TAG. In December, the group had voted to unionize for higher wages and more affordable healthcare, and is now set to negotiate its first union contract.

FTC fines

After years of news about Google and YouTube paying out US$170 million to the FTC for allegedly violating children’s privacy, more companies are being slapped with major FTC fines. In December, Fortnite-maker Epic paid out US$500 million to settle allegations that it violated COPPA. As regulations change, will companies get better at protecting kids’ privacy, or will the fines keep coming?

United for Ukraine

The industry continues to come together for Ukraine nearly a year after Russia’s invasion began. Sesame Workshop issued a call for live-action shorts to help displaced Ukrainian kids celebrate their culture; WildBrain saved the Ukrainian animated series Brave Bunnies by acquiring the IP; and parents separated from their children can now read them bedtime stories via audiobook app Better Time Stories

Theatrical recovery

Theatrical releases are on the upswing— despite not reaching pre-pandemic levels, last year’s global box-office take increased by 27% year over year to US$26 billion, according to Gower Street Analytics. The momentum for 2023 looks promising, as studios figure out how to bring kids back to the big screen.

All eyes on AI

All the hype about ChatGPT and the growing awareness of AI’s benefits as an educational tool have the industry buzzing about what artificial intelligence could mean for kids. Between figuring out what that will look like, and what kids will want to interact with, AI will likely have a life of its own for at least a little while.

In the groove

To help prodcos navigate the complex music business, Paris-based 440Hz has launched a dedicated division to simplify everything from song clearance to talent recruitment. With the rise of music-centric kids content like TeamTO’s Behind the Beats and PopCult’s Disney Hits Podcast, it’s good timing!

Kidscreen checks in with new, established and evolving kids content buyers to find out what they’re looking for right now. For more of this type of intel, check out our Global Pitch Guide at kidscreen.com.

BY: ANDREA HERNANDEZ

eet BNNVARA! The Dutch public broadcaster’s kids division is only a year old, but with a strong vision and a keen understanding of what domestic viewers want, it’s looking to establish a multi-generational core audience.

Established in the aftermath of a 2014 merger between Dutch public broadcasting associations BNN and VARA, BNNVARA has had to learn the kids content business almost from scratch, says Maja Braun, head of youth and human interest, and the channel’s lead commissioner of kids content.

Prior to 2021, BNNVARA’s only kids programming title was Kinderen voor Kinderen (Children for Children), an annual holiday music special featuring the pubcaster’s own choir and celebrity guests. The kids unit was established to broaden BNNVARA’s audience, optimize co-viewing opportunities and build a legacy of viewers, says Braun. “We want to capture kids’ attention from an early age and have them grow [up] as our portfolio expands,” she says. “We also want adults who watch our programs to be able to enjoy the new kids offerings with their children.”

What is BNNVARA looking for?

Targeting kids ages seven and up, BNNVARA’s lineup is currently focused on the factual and reality genres, featuring 12 animated and live-action series and movies. The channel also aims to spotlight tough issues like the pandemic, smoking and climate change in content tailored for tween/teen audiences.

Going forward, the team is looking to add shows—preferably live-action ones—that inform kids about the real world in an entertaining way and help them build their personal identities. “That’s what kids prefer now,” Braun notes.

BNNVARA is in the market for content that runs 15 minutes or longer, with a minimum of six episodes for volume. It’s also looking to develop and co-produce early-stage concepts.

Recent kids content moves

One of BNNVARA’s latest co-pro projects for younger viewers is Dome 16, an animated series with Norway’s Tordenfilm and the Netherlands’ Big Blue about two young people from different climate zones in the same city who fall in love. Recent acquisitions include live-action series Teenage Boss from NRK, featuring a group of teenagers learning to manage money in a playful and fun way by taking control of their parents’ finances.

Braun is confident about the channel’s position in the market, thanks to stand-out content and a unique programming brand that “treats kids like adults’’ and doesn’t shy away from major issues. “The mix of tough topics and fun is what has made BNNVARA’s content special in the Dutch industry,” she says.

Future plans

Braun’s team is currently working on developing a new series that will challenge kids to come up with solutions to various problems the country faces, such as pollution and traffic congestion. The show will visit a different school each week to outline a tricky issue and ask kids to brainstorm ideas to address it.