DEAL
140
AVAILABLE IN OVER 140 COUNTRIES, “BLUEY” IS 2024’S MOST-WATCHED SERIES GLOBALLY ON DISNEY+, AND THE MOSTWATCHED SERIES AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS IN THE USA.
50.5
BILLION MINUTES WATCHED (842 MILLION HOURS) REACHED “BLUEY” IN THE USA.
#1
“BLUEY” IS ALSO THE MOST POPULAR KIDS SHOW ON CBEEBIES AND DISNEY+ IN THE UK.
BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company sealed the first-ever animated feature film for “Bluey.” The new deal sees Disney acquiring the global theatrical rights for the film, which will land in cinemas in 2027 under the Disney banner. Following the global theatrical release, it will stream on Disney+.
ANIMOTION’S “BEARDY BODO” LAUNCHES IN SOUTH KOREA
Animotion
Media Group, in partnership with the renowned South Korean distribution company CMNIX, announces the official launch of the beloved animated series “Beardy Bodo” in South Korea. Known for its heartwarming storytelling and vibrant animation, “Beardy Bodo” has captivated audiences globally with its unique blend of humor, adventure, and valuable life lessons for children and families. CMNIX specializes in bringing high-quality international entertainment to the local market. •
PGS ENTERTAINMENT HIRED PAULINE BERARD
PGS Entertainment appointed Pauline Berard as Global Sales & Acquisition Manager. In this role, she will oversee global sales, acquisitions, and coproductions, supporting the company’s slate of new series and feature films while reinforcing its global partnerships. Berard brings nearly 10 years of experience in international sales across prominent media groups, including Canal+ and Cyber Group Studios. Her expertise will boost PGS’s efforts to expand its global footprint. •
ATRESMEDIA ACQUIRED “MIRACULOUSTALES OF LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR”
Miraculous Corp’s animated series, “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” has been acquired by Spain’s Atresmedia to headline its newly expanded “Neox Kidz” children’s programming block. The new agreement, which was brokered by Mediawan Kids & Family, encompasses seasons one through five of the series. From January 7, Atresmedia’s Neox Kids programming destination will be available with extended hours from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays, and 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekends and offer exclusive premium kids’ content that will include globally recognized franchises. •
XILAM RENEWED ITS DEAL WITH SONY PICTURES NETWORKS INDIA
Xilam Animation has inked a deal renewal with Sony Pictures Networks India for its comedy franchise “Oggy and the Cockroaches.”
Under the partnership extension, SPNI has renewed its agreement for all seasons of Xilam’s classic series for its kids’ channel Sony YAY!, for the brand’s feature film “Oggy and the Cockroaches: The Movie” and for the recent rebooted version “Oggy and the Cockroaches: Next Generation.” The partnership covers a total of 423 episodes and 145 half hours of content. •
BBC STUDIOS AND THE LEGO GROUP CLOSED NEW “BLUEY”PARTNERSHIP
The Lego Group and BBC Studios closed a new partnership merging the globally adored world of “Bluey” with the fun and creative possibilities of the Lego universe for the first time ever. The partnership introduces a collaboration with six new Lego “Bluey” sets to appear in 2025 across the Lego 4+ and Lego Duplo themes, inspired by the animated TV series Bluey. The partnership aims to create equally fun moments of imaginative roleplay and creativity for families as they build, connect, and play out their favorite scenes from the show. The six new Lego “Bluey” products will be revealed this spring. •
NBCUNIVERSAL TO SHUT DOWN UNIVERSAL KIDS CHANNEL IN MARCH
Comcast’s NBCUniversal has confirmed its plans to shut down its Universal Kids channel on March 6. Formerly called Sprout, the network launched in 2005 as a preschool-focused joint venture between PBS KIDS, Comcast, and Sesame Workshop. This decision coincides with NBCU’s preparations to spin off most of its cable networks into a new, publicly traded company to be led by Mark Lazarus. That transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025. Bravo is the notable exception, expected to remain in the main corporate fold alongside NBC, Telemundo, and the local stations portfolio. •
SERIOUS KIDS’ “TEAM NUGGETS” TO AIR ON RTVE IN SPAIN
Serious Kids has secured a major broadcast deal with RTVE in Spain for “Team Nuggets.”. Targeted at 5-8 year olds, the gender neutral comedy series will air on Clan in Spring 2025. The series is currently airing on DR, Canal +, NRK, SVT, RÙV, SvYLE, Czech TV, RTV Slovenia, RTBF and RTS.
Commissioned by DR from Sparre Production and co-produced with Godo Films for Canal + France, the 52 x 7’ animated series completed production in 2023 and went on to win the Pulcinella award for Best Animation in its target age group and landing the runner up prize at the much lauded Prix Jeunesse International Awards in 2024. •
USA’S KIDS PREFER YOUTUBE OVER LINEAR. WILL SVOD BE THE NEXT TARGET?
YOUTUBE HAS BECOME THE MOST INDISPENSABLE VIDEO PLATFORM FOR KIDS IN THE UNITED STATES, A TREND THAT IS BECOMING GLOBAL AND PUSHED LEGACY MEDIA COMPANIES TO RETHINK HOW THEY CAN CAPTURE AND RETAIN THE ATTENTION OF YOUNG AUDIENCES.
The Disney Channel, once a cornerstone of Disney's influence on children, was a top 10 network in 2014 but saw its viewership fall to 132,000 average daily primetime watchers in 2023, according to Emarketer. Moreover, Nielsen estimated that children ages 2 to 11 prefer YouTube over traditional TV and Disney+, viewing three times more YouTube content last April than Disney+. Emarketer data showed YouTube dominates social media usage among USA kids under 12, with 58% preferring it over TikTok (5.5%), Instagram (5%), Facebook (3.7%), and Snapchat (3.2%). Gen Z strongly favors Snapchat (52.3%) and TikTok (43.8%), but YouTube remains vital, with 25.5% of the total user share. Disney+, capturing 30% of Gen Z users, struggles to maintain engagement with the youngest audiences. USA children under 12 prefer YouTube, which has 28.6 million viewers, followed by Netflix (17.2 million) and Disney+ (15.6 million). This shift has implications for Disney and could affect its broader revenue streams, including theme parks and merchandising.
CHILDREN AND TEEN DIGITAL VIDEO VIEWERS BY PLATFORM IN THE USA
Emarketer data also found that over 60% of Disney+ subscribers reportedly do not have children at home, per company data. That suggests that while Disney+ is appealing, it may not be a go-to platform for kids. The company's traditional strength, long-form content, is at odds with the current preferences of its youngest audience, who favor quick, engaging videos. The rise of
short-form content on platforms like YouTube or TikTok has fundamentally altered how children consume media, and Disney seems slow to capitalize on this shift. The company needs to rethink how it can capture and retain the attention of young audiences. Investing in new formats and platforms that resonate with children's viewing habits is critical. Disney's iconic characters and stories can thrive in these environments if adapted correctly, but overreliance on existing franchises like Marvel and Star Wars poses a risk.
Today, YouTube remains the unparalleled favorite platform across all age groups within Gen Alpha. Its dominance is shown in the engagement rates reported in the "PARK USA Summer 2024" report by Precise TV, which revealed that 78% of children aged 2-5 engage with YouTube regularly. This engagement increases to 83% for those aged 6-9 and peaks among children aged 10-12, reaching 84%. The popularity of YouTube Shorts further highlights the platform's broad appeal. These short-form videos captivate nearly 70% of children, who spend between 1 to 2 hours daily watching this type of content. The accessibility and variety offered by YouTube make it a versatile platform that meets the diverse interests of young viewers.
YOUTUBE TOPS KIDS MEDIA CONSUMPTION IN THE USA
Which of the below ways have you consumed content recently?
Short-form video content has become a staple in the media diets of Gen Alpha. Platforms such as YouTube Shorts and TikTok are at the forefront of this trend. Over 30% of children spend more than 2 hours a day on these platforms. TikTok is particularly favored by older children, with an average daily view time of 94 minutes, while YouTube Shorts closely follows, with children spending an average of 90 minutes daily. These platforms offer quick, engaging content that fits well into the fast-paced consumption habits of today’s youth. The high engagement levels suggest that short-form content is not only entertaining but also an effective way to capture and retain the attention of young audiences.
30% OF USA KIDS WATCH YOUTUBE FOR MORE THAN TWO DAILY HOURS
THE BILLION MILESTONE
In 2024, the living room emerged as the epicenter of entertainment, as viewers globally streamed over 1 billion hours of content daily on their TVs, according to the 2024 recap of YouTube on TV. Sports and children's programming dominated the YouTube TV landscape in 2024. Watchtime for sports content on TV grew by over 30% yearly. This surge was fueled by a new feature, "Watch With," which allows creators to deliver live commentary, analysis, and reactions to games and events. Meanwhile, family-friendly content remained a staple of the YouTube living room experience. Channels like "Ms. Rachel" achieved the highest watch times, reinforcing YouTube's appeal among younger audiences and families. To enhance safety and user control, YouTube introduced a parent code feature, empowering parents to restrict access to inappropriate content. Creators like Michelle Khare also showcased the power of living room viewership. Her recent series premiere, "Challenge Accepted: 90 Black Belt," garnered 2.3 million views in its first few weeks, with 40% of views originating from TV screens.
YouTube stands out as the leading platform where children recall seeing advertisements. 31% of children identify YouTube as the source of the best commercials they've seen. This recall is higher compared to 18% for Broadcast TV and 15% for TikTok. The influence of YouTube ads on purchasing behavior is profound. Ads viewed on YouTube are twice as likely to result in product requests from children compared to those seen on TV. Additionally, 22% of children have made a purchase after watching an ad on YouTube Shorts, underscoring the platform's effectiveness in driving consumer action among young audiences.
Children's content preferences vary and span traditional television shows and online channels. Their favorite TV shows include a mix of enduring classics and newer popular series, such as "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Paw Patrol," "Bluey," and "Peppa Pig." On YouTube, channels such as "5-Minute Crafts," "Mr. Beast," and "Kidz Bop" attract significant viewership. This wide range of interests indicates that brands and content creators must cater to a broad spectrum of tastes to engage effectively with young audiences.
KIDS'
FAVORITE SHOWS ON YOUTUBE
YouTube's content spending, consisting of its distinct revenue-sharing arrangement with content creators, will rank as the second largest non-sports content spend globally in 2024, behind Disney, according to the latest report from Ampere Analysis. While YouTube's content investment differs from traditional studios, its total expenditure will be the third largest worldwide this year for the fourth consecutive year when considering sports rights spending. That places it behind Disney and Comcast, with both forecasted to spend just over $9b on sports rights in 2024, yet YouTube's total spend is ahead of any VOD-first player and some of the major studios.
Unlike SVOD platforms, YouTube's main source of revenue is advertising, not subscription fees. YouTube's advertising revenue alone is forecasted at $35 billion in 2024, making it the number one platform for online video viewing globally, and its advertising revenue is driven by its large user base. Despite having few opportunities to re-license content on other platforms, YouTube has affirmed its focus on funding content creators. While it has experimented with more traditional-style commissioning in the past, this was never a primary way to incentivize production, and YouTube has since significantly reduced commissioning activities. It announced just three commissioned titles in 2023 versus 60 in 2021, and the YouTube Originals strategy was shut down at the start of 2022.
In a rapidly shifting media landscape, brands, marketers, and content creators must stay ahead of Gen Alpha's evolving preferences. Gen Alpha and YouTube continue to shape consumption's future, so aligning strategies with their habits and preferences will be essential for successfully connecting with this dynamic and influential demographic.
By Diego Alfagemez
"WE
AIM TO FOSTER CURIOSITY AND SPARK THE IMAGINATION OF YOUNG AUDIENCES"
MURIEL THOMAS, INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR AT MAGIC LIGHT PICTURES, SHARES INSIGHTS INTO THE COMPANY’S REMARKABLE SUCCESS WITH ITS ANIMATED SPECIALS AND DELVES INTO THE IMPACT OF ITS LATEST RELEASE,
“TIDDLER.”
For years, Magic Light Pictures has partnered with the BBC to launch captivating, animated specials that resonate with global audiences. The company continues to set a high standard in family entertainment with a legacy of producing content that delights both children and adults. In an exclusive conversation with Señal News, Muriel Thomas, International Distribution Director at Magic Light Pictures, reveals the strategy and values behind their award-winning productions.
What makes Magic Light Pictures'' animated specials so well-received by the audiences?
"Magic Light Pictures' specials are well-received due to the strong storytelling that resonates with children and adults, entertaining the whole family. The high-quality animation also plays a key role in bringing the stories to life with incredible, crafted visuals, alongside exploring timeless narratives. That ensures they remain relevant year after year. This combination of engaging stories, top-tier animation, and enduring themes has made the specials a beloved family tradition worldwide."
What are the central values you aim to share through your productions?
"We aim to foster curiosity and spark the imagination of young audiences, encouraging creative thinking and a
sense of wonder. We are dedicated to producing visually striking, highquality content that resonates with viewers, offering an engaging experience that can be enjoyed repeatedly. We focus on crafting thoughtful, imaginative content that inspires and entertains whilst upholding the highest standards of animation and storytelling."
Magic Light Pictures'' animated specials have earned numerous awards. What do those recognitions mean for the company?
"Receiving prestigious recognition from the International Emmys, BAFTA, and Oscars is incredibly meaningful. It serves as industry validation, confirming the quality of our work and that it resonates globally. Those recognitions help us attract top-tier talent and collaborators, broaden our visibility, and open doors to new audiences worldwide. It's a testament to our team's unwavering dedication to creating exceptional, timeless content that continues to engage and inspire audiences of all ages."
"Tiddler" is Magic Light's 12th animated special. How does it fit into your distribution strategy? "It plays a key role in continuing to build our global footprint. This release helps us meet the growing demand from our long-standing partners, ensuring we consistently exceed expectations year after year. Having a brilliant catalog of
12 specials allows us to target new markets and territories, solidifying our presence and broadening our distribution channels."
Looking ahead, what are Magic Light Pictures' short and midterm goals?
"We want to stay ahead of market trends and adapt to shifts in audience preferences, particularly among the younger generation. We're always exploring new ways to innovate and keep our content fresh while remaining true to our core focus: delivering high-quality, engaging stories. We'll continue prioritizing strong, timeless storytelling that delights and resonates with our audience."
What are the key factors behind Magic Light Pictures' global expansion?
"The key factors behind our success include our focused approach to delivering a select number of highquality projects, each with its own distinct voice and style. Our longstanding partnerships with major broadcasters around the world have been essential in building trust and ensuring longevity, helping us to consistently reach global viewers. Additionally, ensuring we are present across all the right platforms has played a pivotal role in broadening our reach and maintaining relevance in an everchanging media landscape."
By Romina Rodriguez
Muriel Thomas
"Tiddler"
SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIALEMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND COMEDY TO ENGAGE KIDS AND FAMILIES
MIAM! DISTRIBUTION WILL BRING A STRONG LINEUP TO KIDSCREEN, FEATURING FOUR NEW SERIES HIGHLIGHTING CREATIVITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND CARE. MÉLANIE ERREA , HEAD OF SALES AND ACQUISITIONS, EXPLAINS THE POTENTIAL OF EACH SHOW.
"
The Tinies" (50x11' + 22') is a character-driven sitcom comedy aimed at upper preschoolers that tells the stories of a community of toys living in Attic Town where each day brings new squabbles to overcome together. Ollie and her best friend Titus turn their crafting skills into superpowers to solve everyday challenges in creative and sustainable ways. MIAM! animation produced the series in coproduction with Panique! and Lunanime. The show was already commissioned by Canal+, VRT, and RTBF, with a launch planned for Q3 2025. "We're incredibly proud that 'The Tinies' has been selected as a finalist in the Kidscreen Licensing Challenge with our innovative toy concept: a sustainable and cohesive product line designed to promote upcycling and inspire children's creativity. From a pool of 70 entries, a jury recognized five IPs for their unique appeal, strong character development, engaging themes, and high potential for licensing and merchandising," Mélanie Errea, Head of Sales and Acquisition at MIAM! distribution, stated.
Moreover, "Goat Girl" is a quirky coming-of-age comedy about Gigi, a teenager raised by goats in the mountains, who faces her biggest challenge yet. She must attend school for the first time and interact with actual people while even trying to make friends, but not at the expense of being who she is. Coproduced by Daily Madness, MIAM! animation and thuristar, the show has been commissioned by WarnerMedia EMEA, KIKA, RTE, and VRT, with a premiere planned for Q3 2025. "Usually, in comedy for kids, girls are superheroes, have magical powers, or are princesses. Gigi's journey is about being comfortable in your own skin, being happy being you and embracing your differences and even your quirks. With 'Goat Girl,' we're bringing a strong girl hero and model to the field of comedy for kids," Errea explained. Another highlight from MIAM! distribution for Kidscreen is "The Dangers," a serialized
adventure-comedy set in a chaotic yet joyful postapocalyptic world for kids. The show follows twins Tess and Oskar on their quest to find their missing mother, Anna, emphasizing strong family bonds. "At its core, 'The Dangers' explores the strength of family bonds and how children navigate and adapt to life's unexpected changes, making it an exciting adventure and a deeply relatable story. These universal themes will captivate young audiences around the world, offering buyers compelling, family-centered content for kids with lasting emotional impact," Errea said. The series is produced by Tchack, commissioned by Canal+, and scheduled for release in Q3 2025.
NEW HIGHLIGHT
Finally, Kidscreen attendees will also discover MIAM! distribution's latest acquisition, "Tweedy & Fluff.". It is a charming preschool series featuring Tweedy, a little fabric plush made from tweed cloth, and his fourlegged, woolly companion, Fluff. The show's charm lies in its handcrafted stop-frame animation, observational storytelling, and gentle pace. Produced by Stitchy Feet and Second Home Studio, "Tweedy & Fluff" was commissioned by Milkshake! and has already captivated audiences across multiple regions. The series airs on HRT in Croatia, YLE in Finland, SVT in Sweden, and in the UK and Ireland on BBC Alba, S4C, TG4 (Ireland), and Milkshake! in the UK, where it premiered in October 2023. Since its debut on Milkshake!, "Tweedy & Fluff" has consistently ranked as the leading show in its slot across all channels and remains among the Top 10 'Most Popular' shows on My5/Milkshake! "'Tweedy & Fluff' is designed to be the perfect first show for preschoolers. Created by British BAFTA-winning author Corrinne Averiss, 'Tweedy & Fluff' provides preschoolers with a calm, safe, and nurturing space. With a reassuring, relatable, and lovable duo of characters, the series explores friendship, care, and creativity. These themes deeply resonate with our lineup DNA, so we're delighted to bring the show to new markets around the world," concluded Errea.
By Romina Rodríguez
DUCKTV EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN THE AMERICAS
THE BRAND'S PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR WAS IMPRESSIVE, WITH DEALS AROUND PAY-TV, FAST, AND SVOD PLATFORMS. IZA PIOTROWSKA, DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATE SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EXPLAINS THE STRATEGY BEHIND THOSE MILESTONES.
The 2024 was a year of significant milestones for DuckTV, marked by successful expansions, impactful partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to providing enriching content for young audiences. The brand's foray into the Latin American market marked a significant step forward. The channel cemented its presence through a strategic mix of pay TV and FAST deals, reaching millions of viewers across the region. Last year, DuckTV launched on Samsung's FAST platform in Mexico and Brazil. Last December, it reached Totalplay's basic package, a leading Mexican telco. That move instantly connected the channel with 2.4 million homes, significantly expanding its audience base. MBA Networks brokered this deal. Furthermore, DuckTV struck other impactful Pay-TV and FAST deals with notable players such as TCL (Brazil), Netrange (Argentina and Brazil), OTTIS (Colombia), and VIDAA (Latin America).
For this regional expansion, DuckTV partnered with MBA Networks, a leading independent content distribution company in Latin America. MBA Networks now oversees DuckTV's regional distribution for linear, SVOD, APP, and FAST platforms. "Last year was very successful for us. Breaking into a whole new region wasn't easy, but we did it. Our commitment to providing enriching content for young minds is unwavering. Partnering with MBA for distribution is an exciting opportunity to expand
our reach and impact. With MBA's expertise and strong commercial relationships with the most important players, we're confident that DuckTV will find its way into the hearts and homes of families across Latin America, enriching the lives of young viewers with our unique edutainment experience," Iza Piotrowska, Director of Affiliate Sales and Business Development at DuckTV, said.
"Partnering with DuckTV has been an incredible journey in 2024, as we worked to introduce their unique brand of high-quality children's edutainment to the Latin American market. The brand's success on platforms like Samsung TV Plus, Totalplay, and regional FAST and pay TV partners highlights the strong demand for this type of content in our region. We take pride in leveraging our extensive network and market expertise to amplify DuckTV's reach, ensuring families across Latin America and the US Hispanic market can access enriching and engaging content. We are excited to continue driving growth together in 2025, exploring new opportunities to bring DuckTV to even more households," Carlos Boshell, VP of New Business Development at MBA Networks, added.
MILESTONES AHEAD
Building on the momentum of 2024, DuckTV is setting its sights even higher for 2025. The channel plans
to deepen its presence in the Americas through expanded Pay-TV, FAST, SVOD, and AVOD offerings. This year, the company wants to expand its FAST channel launches, strengthening its footprint in Latin America and exploring opportunities in other regions. Moreover, DuckTV intends to reach new streaming deals, collaborating with additional platforms to bring DuckTV's unique edutainment content to more households. Finally, the company will leverage its growing portfolio to secure distribution agreements across diverse markets. DuckTV's vision for 2025 reflects its adaptability and forward-thinking approach. By embracing the television industry's dynamic shifts, the brand aims to deliver compelling content to an evergrowing audience while staying true to its mission of enriching the lives of young viewers.
By Romina Rodríguez
Sophie 'Kido' Prigent
"OUR EXPERTISE IS CREATING ORIGINAL SERIES AND TURNING THEM INTO GLOBAL BRANDS"
WITH STRONG IPS LIKE "GRIZZY & THE LEMMINGS" AND "MYSTERY LANE," HARI HAS SOLIDIFIED ITS POSITION AS A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR GLOBAL BUYERS. SOPHIE 'KIDO' PRIGENT, HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION, HIGHLIGHTS THE ESSENCE OF BUILDING FRANCHISES AND BEING PRESENT WHERE KIDS AND FAMILIES ARE.
Hari continues to thrive despite the challenging industry context, driven by its robust portfolio of IPs such as "Grizzy & The Lemmings" and "Mystery Lane." Sophie 'Kido' Prigent, Head of Distribution, discusses the company's plans for these popular brands and its goals for 2025.
What are your 2025 plans for "Grizzy & The Lemmings" and "Mystery Lane"?
"We are building on the success of our IPs. Large franchises with global fanbases are still incredibly sought after, putting us in a strong position. Hari continues to grow despite challenging market conditions. We'll prioritize expanding our franchises with more news for 'Grizzy & The Lemmings' coming throughout the year, and we'll focus on sales of previous seasons, providing high volumes of established and popular series. We now have a non-exclusive deal for 'Grizzy & The Lemmings' with Netflix, which enables us to find more homes for the show worldwide. For the
US specifically, this flexibility enables us to expand the show's exposure on non-traditional and digital platforms, reaching kids on a massive scale. Our expertise is creating original series and turning them into global (and much-loved) brands. Grizzy is a great example. 'Mystery Lane' is set to follow suit; we premiered a Christmas special last year with huge ratings on France Télévisions."
Licensing and merchandising deals for these brands are also crucial. What will be your business strategy in this area?
"We have big plans for 'Grizzy & The Lemmings' to break into fashion and apparel, and it's the perfect time for us to grow this side of the business. We've kicked off in France with partners such as KFC and Hachette. More partnerships will be announced throughout the year. Hari will attend the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas in May. Licensing and merchandising play a critical role in franchise growth. It's always about being where kids and families are. Licensing deals with their favorite retailers, brands, and entertainment outlets help discovery and revenue growth and build brand affinity."
What was the global expansion for the new titles "The Weasy Family" and "Baby Lemmings"?
"'The Weasy Family' will premiere this year on CBeebies (upper
pre-school slot) and BBC iPlayer, France Télévisions, Super RTL, Télé-Québec, SVT, and RTS, which is very exciting. Expansion plans are afoot for 'Mystery Lane,' with more announcements soon. 'Baby Lemmings' is in production, with the first episodes to be delivered in December. We have some fantastic partners already on board, including WarnerMedia, Discovery, France Télévisions, and Super RTL."
What will be your distribution goals for 2025?
"Finding more homes for our global franchises. We have many fantastic PSB, commercial, and SVOD partners who are now the established homes of our IPs, benefitting from their success and growth. Working with them continues to be our top priority. It's a virtuous circle, and their support helps us sustain and expand our franchises. It's increasingly important for kids' IP owners to establish additional revenue streams. That requires mass exposure, making YouTube a key platform. While platforms offering FAST channels aren't acquiring as many kids' channels as they once did, they represent opportunities for exposure and revenue. What's most important today is delivering across a complementary mix of media. Developing and executing a multi-platform, multi-window, multi-device, and multi-location presence ensures we meet audiences wherever they are and creates deeper and longer-lasting connections."
By Romina Rodriguez
GRIZZY & THE LEMMI
ROBERTO "KUKY" PUMAR, CEO OF THE CHILDREN'S KINGDOM, LOOKS BACK ON THE COMPANY'S BEGINNINGS, THE STRATEGIES THAT MADE EL
REINO INFANTIL THE NUMBER ONE SPANISHLANGUAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL, AND THE CONSTANT ADAPTATION TO CHANGES TO STAY ON TOP.
The Children's Kingdom is the number one Spanishlanguage channel in views on YouTube and the 15th mostwatched channel worldwide across all languages. Achieving that goal is remarkable, considering the platform's vast content. In an exclusive conversation with Señal News, The Children's Kingdom CEO, Roberto "Kuky" Pumar, attributed the success to its content excellence and his extensive knowledge of the digital world. "We started betting on the digital world in 2005. We had many successful children's song programs, and we quickly realized that new generations were going to YouTube to watch these songs, not just listen to them. At that time, children's songs didn't have music videos," Pumar recalled.
From that moment, The Children's Kingdom began producing music videos, and in 2011, when YouTube started monetizing content, the company experienced significant
A DIGITAL FIRST SUCCESS STORY THAT
CONQUERED MULTIPLE SCREENS
growth. "We understood that YouTube was a platform that not only allowed us to promote and make our content famous in Argentina but also to reach international audiences," he said. The business scaled to such an extent that major animation studios have partnered with The Children's Kingdom. "Together with our broadcasting partners, we are developing many new projects and reinventing ourselves every day," Pumar noted.
The executive highlighted their agreement with Televisión Española, which launched The Children's Kingdom two years ago with outstanding results. "We are the most-watched show on Clan," Pumar stated. ViX, TelevisaUnivision's streaming platform, also added The Children's Kingdom content, achieving great success. "We are also present on Pluto TV and Roku. We have integrated ourselves into the creative world and multiple screens," he added.
FAST AND DIGITAL
Last November, The Children's Kingdom launched its FAST channel following a strategic partnership with Amagi. Available through Samsung TV Plus in Mexico and Brazil, the channel is designed to offer high-quality educational entertainment. It reflects the
company's commitment to delivering safe and enriching content for families, allowing young children to enjoy a unique experience. "We are bringing our content to all screens, and I believe it will be a great success story, both for different developers and as a new way of doing business," Pumar commented.
As a digital-native company, The Children's Kingdom understands that creating quality content is insufficient, so they must develop a publishing strategy and a detailed and ongoing data analysis. "Year after year, we have made all the necessary evolutions to remain number one for more than 11 years. We achieved this thanks to our content, creating a publishing strategy, and paying close attention to data. YouTube's CMS is an incredible tool for understanding what is happening with our content regarding audience retention, whether something engages children or not. The metrics we analyze through the CMS allow us to fine-tune new content and understand exactly where children's preferences are heading. The reality is that losing a subscriber is very easy, but getting them back is very difficult," Pumar concluded.
By Romina Rodriguez
"La Granja de Zenón"
"El Reino Infantil"
