Netflix has acquired the children’s educational media franchise StoryBots, an Emmy and Peabody awards winner, from JibJab Bros. (This Land and ElfYourself) and has signed a new deal with co-creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis, according to The Hollywood Reporter. StoryBots began in 2012 as an online business and has gained over 1 billion viewers on YouTube. It is currently available in 190 countries and 22 languages. Thanks to the new deal, which is an unprecedented acquisition for Netflix, the streamer will be able to increase the franchise’s educational content.
“Ask the StoryBots has a proven track record of synthesizing complex subjects into bite-sized lessons that are funny and entertaining for young kids and satisfying for parents,” said Melissa Cobb, VP Netflix original animation. “We are thrilled to welcome Gregg and Evan into the Netflix family and look forward to building out the wonderful and whimsical StoryBots world, finding new ways to delight our growing member base of families around the world,” Cobb added.
Netflix’s main goal is to expand StoryBots into series and short form specials, while “expanding the brand into new areas” as well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Spiridellises brothers will work with creative teams, educational consultants, and other experts in order to maintain the StoryBots content relevant to the streamer’s worldwide audience. “Together with Netflix, our goal is to make StoryBots the leading educational entertainment brand for connected kids and families globally,” said the Spiridellises brothers. “We want kids from Argentina to Zambia growing up laughing and learning with StoryBots that feel native to their culture. We see this as once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring something epically good into the world,” the Spiridellises brothers added.
Season 3 of Ask the StoryBots will air this fall.
Watch the Ask the Story Bots Season 2 Teaser here: