Recently launched kids’ streaming platform brings free curated content to mobile devices, expanding its reach to millions of U.S. households.
BEVERLY HILLS – Following the June 15 launch of its new free digital Kartoon Channel!, across multiple AVOD and OTT platforms, Genius Brands International has announced its first iOS launch with the debut of an all-new dedicated Kartoon Channel! app, available free on Apple iOS.
“We are thrilled that the viewing audience has discovered Kartoon Channel! so quickly!” commented Genius Brands chairman and CEO, Andy Heyward. “The multitude of parents downloading our app for their kids has skyrocketed in the first 24 hours with the app reaching in the Top 10 for kids, and climbing, while receiving thousands of 5-star ratings. Kartoon Channel! is already significantly ahead of our plan.”
“In a very short time, we have managed to create a groundswell of growth for our new Kartoon Channel!” added Kartoon Channel! executive chairman, Margaret Loesch. “There are great platforms available today for kids, such as Netflix and Disney+, however, they are pay platforms.”
“There are two attributes that distinguish Kartoon Channel! from them,” continued Heyward. “First, our Kartoon Channel! is free. When we launched this platform, we were very clear that we would be like a Netflix for kids, but free. In today’s times where families are challenged to make budgets work, having a high-quality free on-demand content service for kids is a huge point of value. Second, and no less important, our channel offers curated content. At a time when kids are home from school and camps are largely closed, we are bringing children content that is value-driven and enriching, and not just empty viewing calories.”
“General manager Caroline Tyre, Margaret Loesch, and myself are all parents, and we understand the importance of the time kids spend in front of a screen,” he added. “With Warren Buffett, they are learning lessons in business and entrepreneurship; with young Martha Stewart’s Martha & Friends, they are learning crafting, gardening, and cooking; with Giselle Bündchen’s Giselle and the Green Team, they learn lessons on protecting our planet; with Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, they learn science; and with our Llama Llama shorts, there are lessons in early socialization of getting along, and inclusivity…and so much more! Whatever the show is we offer, we seek to avoid violence, negative stereotypes, inappropriate language, bullying, or insensitivity to our planet. We have a strict code that has been built and curated by Professor Don Roberts, former chair of Stanford School of Communications, and the foremost authority and researcher on the impact of media on children.”
The Kartoon Channel! and the new complementary iOS app offer access to a wide variety of family content, featuring Genius Brands originals and acquired content, including Babar, Angry Birds, Stan Lee’s Mighty7, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Baby Einstein, Baby Genius, Llama Llama shorts, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and more. Additionally, Genius Brands is adding more family-friendly gaming content, including Minecraft’s Journey to the End and Fairy Horse Quest, Octodad, PixArk, and Big B Roblox Challenge, from Tankee. Coming Q1, 2021 Kartoon Channel! will premiere the comedy-adventure series, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, currently in pre-production and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The app also features a camera mode with filter capabilities for hours of safe entertainment for young ones.
In addition to the iOS mobile app, Kartoon Channel! can be accessed via Apple TV devices, Android (mobile devices), Android TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku Devices, Xumo, Comcast, Cox, Dish, and Sling. The iOS app will be the model for the other platforms and will be rolled out across them.
Source: Genius Brands
