Netflix
Exclusive: Moonbug Entertainment, Highly Profitable Owner cocomelon The franchise plans to expand in Europe and has launched its first channel aimed at older children.
Organizations owned by Candle Media include: Blippi & Friends 24/7 linear channels in the MENA region. The new network is Blippi IP and will feature a number of spin-offs aimed at 4- to 8-year-olds, in contrast to Moonbug's preschool core.These include: Meeka and a long special big dino adventureMeanwhile, Blippi (an educational human with a distinctive bow tie and various comic friends) appears in numerous interstitials.
Nicolas Eglau, Moonbug's head of EMEA, APAC and global distribution, said the channel was inspired by the huge success of the slightly older, deflected version. cocomelon A work that has been doing well on Netflix recently.
“We wanted to do something new and innovative, so we thought we should name our channel after one of our most successful IPs,” he told Deadline. “This content has the ability to deliver value in a playful and fun way, so we take it very seriously.”
Eglau's team has frequently discussed the possibility of moving further into the field for older children and is “watching the market”, but it would take a major production to become known as an IP. He said it would be. “The way we want to grow is by working with existing successful brands, so if we move into an older segment it will be through acquisition,” he added.
The new channel comes as a result of a distribution agreement signed between Moonbug and MENA company Intigral, and is the second in recent weeks following Moonbug's partnership with Scandinavia's Viaplay-owned Allente.
Especially for an entertainment powerhouse that claims a combined 760 million YouTube subscribers for its own brands, Eglau said Moonbug is looking to make its content a part of children's daily lives. They were keen to highlight their efforts.
“Kids can watch channels while brushing their teeth or while they go to bed, so we try to recreate their daily routine,” Eglau added. “In the age of Netflix and Spotify, there's an assumption that pay TV is dead.” [for children] But there's still a chance. And when people see Moonbug next to an established brand on a platform like Sky, they're like, 'Wow, in the channel guide they're next to Bloomberg or CNN, they're a legitimate brand.' I think. ”
Eglau said the current “key partners” in countries such as the UK are not streaming services, but the likes of the BBC and Sky. “They accept and recognize the quality of our YouTube content,” he added. “Our show fits very well into their portfolio. [BBC kids boss] Patricia Hidalgo takes a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach to the world of children's television. ”
Expansion into Europe
While these linear opportunities are especially prevalent in regions with low YouTube viewership, such as MENA, Eglau is looking largely to Europe, with the first fruits of that strategy being seen in recent successes with Arrernte and others in Northern Europe. is a partnership.
Eglau wants to expand deeper into the continent and his team is actively looking for more European partners.
“Personally, I never thought we would be able to do this,” he said. “We hope this is our first step towards entering the Western European market. There are several more markets on this year's list.”
Eglau said Europe's move was reinforced by global audiences becoming more agnostic. “Some people watch YouTube, some people watch Sky, but we don't want to tell people how to watch it. We just want to get it into as many homes around the world as possible. I just want to.”
Moonbug was launched in 2018 by former Disney executive Rene Rechtman and acquired three years later by Candle Media, an investment firm owned by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs.
The company has since grown and now employs hundreds of people around the world, but Eglau confirmed reports from Bloomberg late last year that a number of staffers had been laid off. cocomelon The production studio comes amid mass layoffs across the media industry.
The company laid off about 30 people at the end of last year, but Eglau emphasized that recent hiring has been a net gain.
“While we have grown in areas such as games and music, we have also looked at areas where growth may slow and have ended some productions,” he added. “We constantly review previous years' decisions and focus our budget on growth.”
Moonbug is backed by Mr. Candle, and Mr. Eglau said he meets regularly with Mr. Mayer, a former Disney executive, adding of Mr. Mayer: “He is in the office from time to time and is not a silent shareholder.” Ta.
In addition to pushing forward in Europe, the medium-term future for Eglau is to “have as many touchpoints as possible with fans,” citing growth in gaming, video and live entertainment.
“We feel like we have the freedom to make the products we want, and that's what our partners want too,” he added.