Roku launched a new “Kids & Family” section on The Roku Channel.
The central hub for free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform, The Roku Channel’s new Kids & Family experience provides a selection of curated content — both free and via subscription — that’s brought together in one OTT location. Roku is also adding parental controls to The Roku Channel for a safe, and customizable entertainment experience.
“We recognize that it can be a challenge to find quality kids and family entertainment across multiple streaming channels, particularly free, ad-supported options,” says Rob Holmes, VP of Programming and Engagement, Roku. “Kids & Family not only provides a selection of great free, ad-supported content from partners like pocket.watch with Ryan’s World and Lionsgate’s Leapfrog, but also highlights kids’ entertainment from existing Premium Subscriptions partners. Parents looking to find great programming for their children will enjoy the ease of going to The Roku Channel as their one place for kids and family entertainment.”
Subscription-based contend from partners such as Noggin, Zoomoo, and Hopster, along with kids’ entertainment from other premium services including HBO and Starz will be available to view in Kids & Family. Additionally, more than 7,000 ad-supported movies and TV episodes will be available from more than 20 partners, including Hasbro’s AllSpark, DHX Media, Happy Kids TV, Lionsgate, Mattel, Moonbug, Nelvana, and pocket.watch
“There is a tremendous opportunity to expand our reach with the quickly growing audience on The Roku Channel,” says Chris M. Williams, founder and CEO, pocket.watch. “Family time is often enjoyed in the living room where Roku is so successful and we’re thrilled to bring our biggest creator partners, like Ryan from Ryan’s World, into the heart of the home through the new pocket.watch channel.”
Five 22-minute episodes of Ryan’s Worlds by pocket.watch will debut on the platform.
Roku aims to provide more entertainment with fewer commercials — approximately 40% of what kids would see advertised during traditional TV. LEGO Systems is the exclusive advertising partner for Kids & Family on The Roku Channel at launch.