Netflix Inc. acquired the StoryBots
children’s media brand as the world’s largest streaming service providers to
challenge rival Walt Disney Co.’s kid-friendly online platform scheduled to
start in November.
Under the deal, StoryBots creators
Gregg and Evan Spiridellis will produce more original content including series
and short-form specials, Netflix said Thursday, without disclosing terms. Los
Gatos, California-based Netflix has more than 148 million paid subscribers
worldwide and spent about $7 billion on programming last year.
Buying StoryBots and expanding its programming may help
Netflix draw more children and parents, a battleground market as family-focused
Disney plans to start offering movies and shows from its Marvel, Pixar and Star
Wars franchises online later this year. Netflix already streams “Ask the
StoryBots," which features cylindrical animated characters addressing
queries such as “What makes a bird a bird," and “What are good
carbohydrates."
While
Netflix and Disney square off over families, competition in the broader
industry is likely to get even hotter. Apple Inc., AT&T Inc. and Comcast
Corp. are also among the cash-rich giants planning streaming services as TV
viewers shift away from cable TV to video-on-demand platforms.
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