Kids programming has not escaped the massive impact of changes in the media landscape. Guillermo Pino, CEO and Creator of audiovisual production company Smilehood (“Plim Plim”), shares insights on how children’s content execs must adapt in 2025 by combining established concepts with innovative strategies to find a way forward.
The oversaturation of children’s content in the market has presented challenges for producers, but opportunities still exist for broadcast commissions and streaming acquisitions, requiring a more fresh and creative approach from producers. For example:
1) Kids’ content creators must explore the potential of YouTube-first business models and capitalize on valuable IPs and established brands.
2) Children’s IPs must serve a purpose, emphasizing authenticity and fostering connections with fans and viewers, looking for strong, relatable characters who can drive engaging stories on-screen, as well as universal themes like friendship, courage, and identity.
3) Emphasizing innovation and cultural relevance is crucial in creating an appealing ecosystem for young audiences.
4) In this new era of kids’ television, executives must diversify their portfolio to appeal to a broader demographic, embracing a multi-generational approach.
5) Successful children’s brands should expand beyond digital platforms and venture into the toy market to establish a strong retail presence.
6) The year 2025 marks a significant focus on intellectual property and brand development. We stand at the forefront of an AI-driven creator model, where AI technology enables creators to animate their own content.
7) The integration of AI in children’s series and animations promises exciting and original ideas, yet the industry must also prepare for the implications of AI on the overall business landscape and monitor the impact of the Kids Online Safety Act in the United States.
“Plim Plim” is the #1 most-viewed animated preschool channel in Spanish, and has other channels in English, Portuguese, Russian Italian and Indonesian. The brand has captivated millions of families globally through its YouTube channels, with a total of 12.8 billion views, and 8 million new subscribers in 2024 alone, totaling 35.6 million subscribers and solidifying its position as the 7th largest preschool channel worldwide.
