YouTube Kids to air original programming from creators like tween popstars L2M
YouTube has announced plans to run original programming on its YouTube kids app.
YouTube Kids to air original programming
The shows will be developed by YouTube Red, the Google-owned platform's streaming subscriber service, with four new series being hosted for children within the app's walls.
The move marks the first time YouTube Red has invested in creators making original content for family audiences according to company.
The new series have been developed by established creators including Joe and Cody of TheAtlanticCraft, popular tween music act L2M. The first of the original shows is called Hyperlinked and will star L2M in a drama about five girls coming together to create their own website by girls, for girls.
Other launch shows will include The King of Atlantis - an epic animated series which will follow two young monarchs underwater in Atlantis as they look to overthrow their "brutal" ruler.
YouTube Kids was launched in 2015 to cater for the increasing number of children watching entertainment on tablets and smartphones. It was rolled out globally just over a year ago, and only shows branded channel ads before videos while pre-roll spots for food and drink are banned. Parents and guardians have full control over what kids view in the app and can filter and report any inappropriate videos.
Google claimed in a blog post today that the app has clocked up 30bn video views since its launch and boasts over eight million active viewers each week.
The firm also announced that YouTube Kids will shortly arrive on smart TVs, including LG and Samsung TVs, says YouTube.