- How Netflix Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
- How Disney Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
- How Both Media Giants Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
Netflix and Disney are two streaming giants that have been amongst the key players in revolutionizing how today's children consume content. By offering a wide array of options that cater to younger audiences in increasingly innovative ways, both giants are looking to be at the forefront of shaping the future of kids' entertainment going forward as well.
How Netflix Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
The superpower of the streaming service world in recent years has invested heavily in producing original kids' programming. From animated films and series to live-action content, Netflix knows that in today's day and age, there is a nearly never-ending demand for new things to watch.
Amongst the most popular Netflix original content for kids are:
Centaurworld
The wacky and creative animated musical comedy series ran for two seasons. The series follows a warhorse who enters a magical and colorful world which is inhabited by vibrant, singing centaurs of all species, shapes, and sizes.
The animated show aimed to deliver a message of accepting differences and embracing adventure, making it popular among young viewers.
Junior Bake Off
The kids-centric spin-off of the widely popular baking competition series The Great British Baking Show debuted in 2011 and recently was renewed for its 10th season, which is set to air in 2025.
This series features young contestants, aged 9 to 12, showcasing their baking skills and competing for the Junior Bake Off Champion title in a fun and engaging way. The British competition series emphasizes kindness and improvement, resonating with children and families all over the world.
Is It Cake?
The game show–style cooking competition series, hosted by comedian Mikey Day, premiered in 2022 and uses the viral internet trend of cakes that replicates the look of completely different objects.
In the series, contestants create visually impressive cakes that replicate common everyday objects with the goal of tricking celebrity judges. Winners of each episode of Is It Cake? receive $5,000 and a chance to win even more money by identifying which display of cash is real and which is cake.
The series brings the sort of wonder that appeals to the youngest viewers as well as encourages creativity.
Maya and the Three
The visually stunning animated miniseries explores Mesoamerican mythology in its nine-episode run. The series followed the story of a warrior princess Maya who had to embark on a quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy to defeat underworld gods who threaten to ravage the world itself.
The animated series captivated children's viewers with its 15-year-old protagonist, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña, engaging storyline, and star-studded cast, which also featured Diego Luna, Alfred Molina, and Danny Trejo.
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
The 2015 French animated superhero television series takes place in modern-day Paris, France. The story follows two teenage girls, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who are secretly the titular superheroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir respectively, and use the magical jewels, Miraculous. The plot twist is they do not actually know each other's secret identities!
The kid viewers love these thrilling action-adventure series due to all five seasons, with more to come in the future, having an engaging plot while delivering positive messages. The franchise has gone on beyond the initial series, spawning also comics, video games, and even a full-length movie.
Importantly, the algorithmic approach of Netflix recommends content to its viewers, thus enhancing the viewing experience for kids. By suggesting shows based on their preferences and viewing habits, Netflix keeps children viewers engaged and interested in discovering more new titles.
Of course, times are changing and so are the devices that kids are using to watch their favorite entertainment content. By being available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, Netflix offers unparalleled accessibility for kids to enjoy their favorite content.
How Disney Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
It would be very hard to argue against the fact that Disney has been at the forefront of kids' entertainment in the past, and remains so to this day. The multimedia giant goes beyond just films and shows, offering whole networks, theme parks, and much more, reaching audiences all over the world.
Amongst the ways Disney aims to remain one of the kid's top choices for entertainment are:
They Have Iconic IPs
Nearly a century ago, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was co-created by Walt Disney, yet he later lost the rights to the at the time popular character. The house that Walt Disney built has never repeated such a mistake, starting with replacing Oswald with Mickey Mouse.
Now, Disney owns such pop culture iconic brands as Marvel and Star Wars, as well as the numerous legendary IPs of acquired studios like Fox and Pixar. By maintaining a grip on its famous library of characters and stories, and often featuring expanded universes for them, Disney is sure to keep kids tuning in and also attract new audiences eager to explore their fictional entertainment worlds.
They Revolutionize Animation Again And Again
Disney pioneered synchronized sound in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie. Then they introduced full-color animation with the 1932 musical Flowers and Trees.
From films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Lion King to Moana and Frozen, the point is that Disney has massively contributed to elevating animation to an art form we all know today. It is safe to bet that Disney’s ability to create magical and captivating experiences for young audiences will appear again going forward.
They Set The Trends
Since its inception in 1923, Disney has always been setting trends for entertainment consumption, with kid audiences being their prime viewers. By increasingly discovering new ways of how children can engage with media, merchandise, and storytelling, Disney is set to continue to shape the future landscape of kids’ entertainment.
By making their content available on devices smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, Disney also offers the type of accessibility that kids of today can enjoy anywhere and anytime.
How Both Media Giants Are Shaping the Future Of Kids Entertainment
Both Netflix and Disney are pushing the boundaries of kids' entertainment with innovative and captivating storytelling techniques, interactive narratives, and immersive experiences.
As the way kids consume media transforms, with an extraordinary rate of smart device ownership amongst them, these two media conglomerates are making sure kids entertainment is evolving with it. Thus they are reaching tech-savvy young viewers at every corner of the Earth, and introducing diverse perspectives to them.
