How is Becoming Your Kids' Channel of Choice

08.25.2015

​Netflix originals for kids are so pervasive in children's TV that kids are starting to believe every TV show can be seen anytime, anywhere, with no commercials.

That might be a problem for traditional kids channels, but it's all part of the plan at Netflix headquarters.

Netflix currently has 14 original shows for kids on its platform, all situated comfortably in its dedicated children's section. While at first the shows came from licensing deals with PBS or Disney Channel, Netflix has been producing original content for these age groups since 2013.

The originals, which include , and the Emmy-winning , come from a content deal with DreamWorks that promises 300 hours of original programming for kids.

According to Netflix, the dedication to kids programming is a natural way to involve the whole family in the streaming service.

"The way we think about it is that as an on-demand service we want to have something for everyone in the household," Erik Barmack, Netflix's VP of global independent content, told Fast Company.

He added that Netflix's ad-free model is a huge bonus to parents, who like to avoid ad breaks convincing their kids they need the latest product. It also gives Netflix the freedom to produce content without the strictures of a broadcast environment, he said.

For example, the upcoming Kong-King of the Apes will debut first as a movie, then as a series with regular episodes, but Project Mc² premiered with just three episodes telling the whole story.

It also allows Netflix to program for each age group as they grow, instead of branding itself for a specific demographic, it can grow with its viewers.

And the preschool-tween demographic isn't the end of the road for Netflix. With an exclusive subscription streaming deal that brings YouTube's Smosh: The Movie to Netflix this September, the streaming service is expanding its content plans to include teenagers as well, giving them viewing options somewhere between VeggieTales and House of Cards.

Read more at Fast Company.

Brief Take: Netflix's kids section has such a following that a large percentage of kids will grow up not understanding commercials breaks at all.

[Image courtesy of Netflix]