Sony Pictures Television’s kids division has launched a YouTube channel Kidzuko, targeted at children aged 3-8. Kidzuko will offer kids and their parents free access to some of the studio’s kids content such as Octonauts, Peter Rabbit, The Creature Cases and Chico Bon Bon: Monkey With a Tool Belt.
Furthermore, to make their content more engaging, the YouTube channel will also offer compilation videos, video clips as well as educational videos such as teaching kids how to draw some of their favourite characters. According to Sony, the name Kidzuko was the result of market testing with kids and parents.
D’Ambrosia, the Executive VP and General Manager for Sony Pictures Television, said, “We really wanted to pick a very distinct name that was fun for little ones to say. We tested numerous different monikers for the channel, and Kidzuko was the clear winner, because it made kids smile. They giggled and they smiled when they said it, as did their parents.”
Additionally, Sony aims at expanding Kidzuko with more content as well as increase the reach to FAST channels and platforms like Roblox. Kidzuko is also a part of their larger strategy to create global franchises from shows like The Creature Cases and Octonauts.
D’Ambrosia added, “We really do want to make sure our shows can travel globally in order to be successful. With Creature Cases and Octonauts, those two shows became really huge, breakout hits because they were both great for kids and for co-viewing with their parents. We’re always looking for an element of comedy tied in, and we want it to be playable for kids since kids like to role-play the shows that they see. So we are constantly looking at new ideas and exploring ways to develop some of the really great and iconic IP that’s in the Sony library.”