Netflix has picked up four animated shows from studios across the globe, as the streaming service continues to stock more original programming for the all-important kid demo.
The new shows are action-adventure stories “Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan and Jane” and “Kulipari: An Army of Frogs” (pictured above) and two for preschoolers, “Cirque du Soleil Luna Petunia” and “Puffin Rock.” As with other Netflix originals, all episodes of the series will hit simultaneously for binge-ability.
Those will join Netflix’s dedicated section for kids under 12, with original series for kids as well as TV shows and movies from partners including PBS, Disney Channel and DreamWorks Animation. What’s key: The content is available in an ad-free environment, which appeals to parents.
“The flexibility of our platform allows us to continually bring the best TV shows from around the world to our members,” said Erik Barmack, Netflix VP of global independent content. The new titles “complement and extend what we currently offer particularly for preschoolers and grade-school adventure fans.”
A rundown of the new Netflix kids’ originals:
- “Cirque du Soleil Luna Petunia” (to debut fall 2016): Preschool series from Saban Brands and Cirque du Soleil Média chronicles the adventures of Luna Petunia, a girl who lives in our world but plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible. The first season of 11 episodes will premiere worldwide exclusively on Netflix, kicking off a franchise rollout that will include a consumer products line, interactive digital content and a potential live tour.
- “Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan and Jane” (second half of 2016): In modern-day remake of the classic characters, 16-year-old Tarzan returns from the African jungle to a London boarding school where he meets Jane, who helps him solve environmental injustice, crimes and mysteries. The eight-episode season comes from 41 Entertainment and executive producer Avi Arad (which are also developing “Kong – King of the Apes” original series and feature-length film for Netflix) with animation from ARC Prods.
- “Kulipari: An Army of Frogs” (2016): Based on the trilogy of books by NFL star Trevor Pryce that were inspired by his childhood fear of frogs. The series targets grade-school boys and follows poisonous frogs, scorpions and spiders who must go to war to ensure their power and the survival of their entire world. The 13-episode season, produced by Splash Entertainment and Outlook Company, will premiere worldwide exclusively on Netflix in 2016.
- “Puffin Rock” (Sept. 1, 2015, in major markets): Set on an island off the coast of Ireland, series revolves around charismatic and plucky young puffling Oona, who with her curious little brother Baba explores a diverse array of sea, sky, land and underground creatures. Actor Chris O’Dowd narrates the English-language version of the series, from Penguin Random House Children’s, Dog Ears and animation studio Cartoon Saloon. The 13-episode season premieres exclusively on Netflix in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Benelux, France and Germany in September, and with other Netflix territories to follow at a later date.
In addition to the four new originals, Netflix also is adding three new first-run exclusive series for kids to enjoy: “Masha and the Bear” from Russia, which will premiere this August in the U.S.; “The Day My Butt Went Psycho” from Canadian animation company Nelvana Studios, which debuts this month in the U.S., U.K., and Mexico; and “Elias,” a little rescue boat from the popular Norwegian preschool series of the same name, currently streaming exclusively on Netflix in U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.
