Kids execs share why it’s all still worthwhile
Some familiar faces from the industry weigh in on what keeps them inspired during tough times.
Kidscreen
The secrets to SpongeBob’s longevity
As a new movie hits theaters, Nickelodeon alums reflect on why this aquatic comedy toon is still the most popular kids show on air after all these years.
Kidscreened
- Sony taps Paddington's Paul King to direct its upcoming Labubu film (Variety)
- YouTube has begun shutting down channels creating AI movie trailers (Deadline)
- Thunderbird shareholders say Blue Ant has undervalued the company (Cartoon Brew)
- Here are the actresses in the running to star in the live-action Tangled pic (THR)
Sony snaps up Peanuts from WildBrain
This US$458-million deal is expected to help the Canadian company eliminate its debt, but it will still be the franchise's production studio until 2030.
DEALS: Oni Press is giving Archie comics a modern relaunch
Plus, Bluey's getting more licensed products down under, and Blippi helps the Grinch's heart grow three sizes for the holidays.
PEOPLE: Mattel hires a Netflix alum to oversee global consumer products
Also, Mediawan Kids & Family has recruited Hugo Brochard as its new international sales manager.
TikTok avoids a stateside ban by selling to US businesses
ByteDance's popular platform will now be regionally controlled in part by the same family that owns Paramount.
Toho expands its anime empire to Europe
The studio is setting up a London outpost and kicking off a new distribution strategy across the continent.
Kidscreen’s most-read stories of 2025
Kidscreened
- Netflix's co-CEOs visit Warner Bros. studio lot with David Zaslav (THR)
- The global box office is projected to generate US$35 billion next year (Screen Rant)
- YouTube will stop providing data to the US Billboard charts in January (YouTube)
- Former Disney animators call the Mouse House's OpenAI deal soulless (Deadline)
PEOPLE: Ian Lambur zigs to ZAG
Plus, Aircraft Pictures has a new president, and Blue Ant lures Barnaby Shingleton away from Sky Studios to help run acquisitions.
Kids commissions dropped by 22% in 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Ampere crunched the numbers to find that there were only 260 first-run kids TV orders this year—but the data points to a stabilizing industry.
DEALS: Cartoon Network greenlights two more seasons of Gumball
Plus, Disney creates the first streaming bundle in the Middle East, and The Gang has adapted MrBeast's Saudi Arabia theme park as a Roblox experience.
Will moving the Oscars to YouTube attract younger viewers?
The top 10 trends of the past five years
Amid the industry's ups and downs, here are the topics that dominated the first half of the decade.
Noggin expands its app into content with NogginTV
EXCLUSIVE: Rolling out 11,000 licensed videos, it’s looking to acquire and develop more programming that helps kids explore new hobbies.
Kidscreened
- Hollywood discusses how it uses Roblox to build brand awareness (Variety)
- What retailers can do to alleviate holiday consumer anxiety (RetailDive)
- Amazon is in talks to invest more than US$10 billion in OpenAI (TechCrunch)
- Canal+ sets a target of hitting more than 50 million subscribers by 2030 (Advanced TV)
DEALS: Jakks Pacific adds PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie to its licensing portfolio
Also, Mattel has confirmed where it will build two more indoor waterparks, and Prime Video orders a series adaptation of YA novel The Probability of Miracles.
The UK government wants to future-proof the BBC
The public has been asked to weigh in on YouTube ads and a subscription service as the broadcaster continues to bleed revenue.
What Kidscreen staff loved the most this year
Kidscreen is a world-leading resource for kids entertainment industry news, business insights and trend analysis.