Ad-supported linear channels featuring WildBrain content now available on millions of Samsung smart TVs, with more to come
New studies find 62% of parents pick smart TVs as the most popular device for family viewing; Samsung is the global leader in smart TV sales, with over 14 million units sold in calendar Q3
Toronto, ON – December 16, 2020 – WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has forged a partnership with Samsung to launch multiple new kids’ and teen channels featuring a range of series from its content library on Samsung TV Plus, a free ad-supported video service distributed exclusively on Samsung smart TVs. The first new linear channels have now launched to millions of Samsung users, with “Caillou and Friends” in Spain and France and “Teletubbies and Friends” in Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These will be followed in Spring and Summer 2021 by Degrassi channels for teens in the US and Canada, plus additional kids’ channels across European territories featuring Strawberry Shortcake, Bob the Builder and other favourite series from WildBrain’s library.
The partnership with Samsung represents the first time WildBrain has launched ad-supported linear channels on a connected-TV service in Europe and comes as new research shows smart TVs and ad-supported video streaming have become favourite viewing options in both US and European homes.
The recent nScreenMedia report “Making Screen Time Family Time”, which was sponsored by WildBrain’s premium, kid-safe AVOD network, WildBrain Spark, found that 62% of 3,000 US parents surveyed choose smart TVs as the most popular devices for co-viewing with children in the home. Seventy-five percent (75%) watch content with their children several times a week or more, and 90% said ad-supported video is an important entertainment source for their children.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s “Behind the Screens” report on accelerating viewership trends found that ad-supported video-on-demand consumption grew by 29% since January 2020 across over 30 million Samsung smart TVs in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Samsung is the clear leader in global smart TV sales, with over 14 million units sold in Q3 2020, almost double their nearest competitor, according to market research firm Trendforce.*
“All indicators show that connected TVs are the new choice for home viewing and that families are increasingly turning to ad-supported video services on this platform as a source of quality entertainment,” said Deirdre Brennan, EVP, Content Partnerships at WildBrain. “Through this exciting partnership with Samsung TV Plus we will offer distinct channels that draw on WildBrain’s deep content library, allowing us to share iconic shows like Teletubbies, Caillou, Strawberry Shortcake and Degrassi with millions of families across North America and Europe.”
Samsung TV Plus gives viewers instant access to top news, sports, entertainment and more. It is 100% free and doesn’t require any downloads, sign-up, credit cards, subscriptions or additional devices. With Samsung TV Plus integrated into all Samsung 2016-2020 smart TVs, Samsung is bringing free content to the widest possible audience.
WILDBRAIN CHANNELS LAUNCHING ON SAMSUNG TV PLUS
Channels | Territories | Launch Timing |
Caillou and Friends | France Spain | December 9, 2020 |
Teletubbies and Friends | Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland | |
Degrassi | US & Canada | Spring/Summer 2021 |
Bob the Builder and Friends | UK, Italy, Spain | |
Strawberry Shortcake and Friends | France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
For more information, please contact:
Trade media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR
aimee@ddablueprint.com
+44 (0) 20 7932 9800
About WildBrain
At WildBrain we inspire imaginations to run wild, engaging kids and families everywhere with great content across all media. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library – one of the world’s most extensive – we are home to such brands as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test and Degrassi. At our 75,000 square-foot state-of-the art animation studio in Vancouver, BC, we produce such fan-favourite series as Snoopy in Space, Chip & Potato, Carmen Sandiego and more. Our shows are enjoyed worldwide in more than 150 countries on over 500 streaming platforms and telecasters, and our AVOD business – WildBrain Spark – offers one of the largest networks of kids’ channels on YouTube, garnering approximately four billion views per month from over 200 million subscribers. We also license consumer products and location-based entertainment in every major territory for our own properties as well as for our clients and content partners. Our television group owns and operates four family entertainment channels that are among the most viewed in Canada. WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com