Children watch a lot of TV and begin doing so at an early age. Over 60 percent of U.S. toddlers watch nearly 2 hours daily, citing a report from KidsHealth. Kids under the age of six watch about two hours of TV, videos or DVDs daily. From eight to 18 years, kids watch about four hours daily and spend another two hours in front of a computer screen. This technology has become a way many children receive information during their early formative years.
Television for children has changed over the years with more emphasis on comics and product tie-ins like “Pokémon” and “Dragon Ball Kai.” There is family situation shows like “Good Luck Charlie” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” that do show children how to deal with challenging situations. But shows like “Mr. Rogers,” “Sesame Street,” “The Electric Company” and “Schoolhouse Rock” no longer exists except in reruns because the lack of advertiser support.
Streaming Companies
The new horizon can be found in the production of original shows by the streaming companies such as Amazon and Netflix. For instance, Amazon is producing content for children with new educational material. They’re not just a rehash of the old shows, either.
“Sara Solves It” is from the creators of “Blues Clues” and it makes being a math nerd cool. Math and geometry are presented as part of the mysteries happening in the city where Sara and her friends live. “Creative Galaxy” is an animated show featuring an artistic alien and his pet as they travel through space and learn about different art forms. “Annebots” is about a young boy who makes friends with a girl who has created a series of robots from junkyard parts. This show maintains a scientific focus but also deals with gender stereotypes and how children relate to each other.
Streaming vs. Traditional TV
Streaming has an advantage over traditional TV. Kids can watch shows over many different devices any time they wish and anywhere. Prices are very reasonable. Streaming services like Amazon and Netflix charge about $10 monthly while cable packages go for $30 and up, according to Cable-TV.com.
Meanwhile, Netflix is getting into programming for children with the release of “Turbo F.A.S.T.” (Fast Action Stunt Team) this December, according to Variety. And this summer DreamWorks is releasing an animated movie called “Turbo.” There is even a bigger tie-in with the latest DreamWorks app called “Turbo Racing League.”
This app is available on Apple and Android devices and Windows 8 devices. The mobile provider Verizon is funding one million in prizes to be given away by playing this app. You’re asked to test their racing skills on specified tracks. Winners are awarded $25,000. Races are held weekly for 8 weeks with the final race to be held in July.
Digital Media for Children
The tie-in of an app, feature-length animated movie, and a streaming program for children is a sign of how digital media can be used to bring different markets together. Each element does its part to promote the others, so you have many more people learning about these digital offers than there would be if relying on traditional advertising.
Netflix has put out one season of original programming and says it sees the value of marketing through various digital media. Children have access to gaming, streaming content and apps on smartphones and tablets. Netflix and other streaming services have many ways to reach out to the children’s market, and to parents, through these various devices.
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