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“Sony’s YouTube Surprise: The Adorable Kids’ Hub Parents Never Knew They Needed!”

Sony is carving out its own space on YouTube with the launch of its new children’s channel, Kidzuko.

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter on September 19, “The studio’s children’s division has introduced a YouTube hub named Kidzuko, targeting kids aged 3-8. This channel will provide free access to some of Sony’s children’s content for both young viewers and their parents.” The channel, which went live on a Thursday morning, showcases episodes from Sony-produced series such as OCTONAUTS, THE CREATURE CASES, PETER RABBIT, and CHICO BON BON: MONKEY WITH A TOOL BELT. Additionally, it features clips, compilation videos, educational content, and tutorials on drawing specific characters, among other offerings.

The studio’s strategy is to familiarize children with its content early on, recognizing YouTube as one of the primary platforms used by kids.

Joe D’Ambrosia, executive VP and general manager for Sony Pictures Television – Kids, stated, “The viewing time for children on YouTube continues to increase annually. One of our motivations for launching Kidzuko is the fact that nearly 60 percent of kids are most likely to discover new intellectual property on YouTube, so we knew we needed to establish a presence there.”

Regarding the channel’s name, D’Ambrosia explained, “We aimed to choose a distinctive name that would be enjoyable for young children to pronounce. After testing various options, Kidzuko emerged as the clear favorite because it brought smiles to kids’ faces. They giggled and laughed when saying it, as did their parents.”

Beyond familiarizing children with its content, Sony is utilizing the channel to expand its franchises.

D’Ambrosia elaborated, “We’re committed to ensuring our shows can reach a global audience to be successful. Creature Cases and Octonauts became massive, breakout hits because they appealed to both children and parents for co-viewing. We always aim to incorporate an element of comedy and ensure the shows are playable for kids, as children enjoy role-playing what they watch. We’re constantly exploring new ideas and ways to develop some of the iconic intellectual property within the Sony library.”

As of September 30, the channel had amassed 381k subscribers. An OCTONAUTS episode titled “Back To School” had already garnered 27k views.

Familyguide’s review of OCTONAUTS Season 1 states:

OCTONAUTS Season 1 presents a moral worldview. The octonauts consistently demonstrate compassion for marine life. They collaborate effectively and offer encouragement when needed. The characters also display good sportsmanship and befriend their adversaries…

Each character has a distinctive voice that aligns with their personality, engaging young viewers. The animation style is captivating, with characters featuring cute, rounded designs. The marine life encountered by the octonauts is depicted in a more adorable manner than their real-world counterparts. However, each episode concludes with a clip showing the actual appearance of the featured animal.

OCTONAUTS Season 1 aims to educate children about the ocean and the importance of maintaining its habitability for marine life. The show exhibits a moral/Biblical worldview without any questionable elements.