Four original series headed to YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is celebrating its second birthday with some big news.
Beginning this spring, the platform -- which last year YouTube integrated with its subscription streaming service YouTube Red -- is rolling out a slate of original programming.
The app, which launched in February of 2015, has about 8 million active viewers per week and over 30 billion views to date. While it's already home to a handful of content -- ranging from Mother Goose Club to Talking Tom -- this marks the first time YouTube Red has invested in creators who are producing original programming for family audiences.
The shows, set to debut in spring, include Hyperlinked (featuring popular tween music act L2M), DanTDM Creates A Big Scene (with creators DanTDM), The Kings of Atlantis (featuring Joe and Cody of TheAtlanticCraft) and Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force (with Fruit Ninja).
Additional shows are in development and will premiere throughout 2017.
YouTube Kids will also soon be available on internet-connected LG and Samsung Smart TVs.
The news marks the latest in YouTube's efforts to make the app more family friendly.
In 2015, just one month after the app's launch, a string of children's advocacy groups filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission asking it to investigate whether the app exposes young audiences to unwanted commercials.
Since then, YouTube has been working to address parent complaints.
"As kids continue to grow up, we’re excited to grow up with them," Malik Ducard, YouTube’s Global Head of Family and Learning, wrote in a blog post announcing the news. "It’s important that kids are able to explore what they love in the app, while we also continue to put parents in the driver’s seat to choose what is right for their family."
Topics YouTube
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
