According to an exclusive article via The Hollywood Reporter, Nickelodeon is stepping into new territory with its first original animated series for YouTube, Kid Cowboy, created by Grammy-nominated producer Freddy Wexler (Emily In Paris, Dancing With the Stars). The show follows a young cowboy who, along with his best friend Luna, fights for justice in the futuristic world of Esperanza using flying robot horses. This new series is designed for preschool-aged audiences and marks a significant move for Nickelodeon as it expands its content to digital-first platforms like YouTube.

Launching on the Blaze and the Monster Machines YouTube channel on Friday, Kid Cowboy aims to meet audiences where they are, with YouTube becoming a key destination for kids’ content. According to Ashley Kaplan, executive vice president of Nickelodeon’s Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio, YouTube reaches up to 90% of all kids, making it the prime platform for the series. “It probably has the most critical role in how kids discover shows, brands, toys, music, culture,” Kaplan told The Hollywood Reporter.”Ninety percent of all kids are on [YouTube]. It has 60 to 70 percent more reach among kids than Netflix does. Kids spend 80 minutes a day watching content there, and its influence on the biggest IP is super clear.”

While Kid Cowboy marks Nickelodeon’s debut of an original animated series on YouTube, the network is no stranger to the platform. Over the years, it has gained a massive following through established shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol. The decision to start with the Blaze channel, which already boasts six million subscribers, was strategic, as both shows feature engaging, interactive adventures aimed at preschoolers. The series is also notable for its inclusion of Spanish dialogue, reminiscent of Nick’s long-running Dora the Explorer.

Wexler, who serves as the show’s creator and executive producer, has teamed up with Grammy-winning artist Emilio Estefan (2004 Hispanic Heritage Awards, An Unbreakable Bond) to compose the music and help guide the series. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Wexler emphasized the show’s unique blend of futuristic themes and diversity. “Kid Cowboy is a futuristic playground of flying robo-horses, incredible music, and a cast of kids as diverse and dynamic as the stories they’re living. The move to premiere it on YouTube signals a strategic pivot to meet audiences where they are — on digital-first platforms — while setting a new standard for how franchises are born. Kid Cowboy isn’t just a show; it’s a reimagining of cowboy culture and a new blueprint for how kids’ entertainment can evolve in a world dominated by streaming and short-form content.

As Kid Cowboy brings a fresh twist to cowboy culture, it also speaks to the ongoing push for greater representation in children’s media. Estefan, who grew up without seeing kids like him in Westerns, is excited for a new generation of children to see themselves reflected on screen. “Through the adventures of Kid and Luna, I hope children everywhere see themselves reflected while also learning the values of bravery, kindness, and staying true to themselves,” Estefan said.

The success of Kid Cowboy could pave the way for more YouTube-first animated series from Nickelodeon, with Kaplan noting that the ultimate goal is to create the next big kids’ franchise. “It starts on YouTube, but it goes beyond that to long-form, possibly even theatrical, and into toys,” Kaplan said. “I’m excited that in success, we could partner with our studio, Paramount Pictures, to see Kid Cowboy come to life in long form. That’s the dream.”

Kid Cowboy is not just an animated series; it’s a bold new approach to children’s entertainment in the digital age. With its diverse cast, futuristic setting and emphasis on core values, the series is set to capture young viewers’ imaginations and potentially launch a new franchise for Nickelodeon.