No OTT For Kids

In a recent report from the Wall Street Journal it has come to notice that streaming services, notably Netflix, are recalibrating their approach to children’s content as a shift in consumption patterns becomes evident.

According to Nielsen data, a heavy decline in Netflix’s share of U.S. streaming viewership among young kids aged 2 to 11 was visible with the stats dropping from 25% to 21% in September compared to two years ago.

This changing landscape has led streaming platforms to reassess their strategies in capturing the attention of young audiences with some platforms diverting resources away from in-house productions and towards popular platforms like YouTube and Roblox.

The world of OTT was never destined to be a paradise when it came to the young audience. OTT platforms are known for showing real and unfiltered content and neither shy away from vulgarity.

Despite the existence of child control tools, it is relatively easy to slide past them, making them useless. With this, the absolute freedom given to creators to showcase what their heart desires, the very selling point of the OTT platforms, comes to backfire them. YouTube, on the other hand, has for years been trying to make its platform more and more kid friendly by going as far as banning creators for using harsh language and showing even a glimpse of nudity.

This regulation not only makes easier for kids to browse through but also results in parents preferring the platform over other Over The Top streaming services.

According to various reports, some guardians even decide not to introduce their young ones to this side of the entertainment world until they come of age out.

Sony too, seeking a broader audience, recently launched a YouTube channel featuring episodes and clips from “The Creature Cases,” a preschool series which was previously available on Netflix, highlighting the industry shift.

Platforms are acknowledging the popularity of shorter and more kid friendly content formats on platforms like YouTube and strategic partnerships and releases are becoming increasingly tailored to align with changing viewer behaviors. As the industry navigates this transformation, staying attuned to consumer preferences emerges as a critical factor for sustained success. M9 News