Genius Brands International Partners With Comcast to Launch New Kid Genius Channel on Xfinity On Demand
Building on the success of its Baby Genius™ series on Xfinity On Demand, Genius Brands International, Inc., "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, announced it will partner with Comcast to launch Kid Genius, a new channel on Xfinity On Demand, delivering "Smart TV for Kids" in fall 2015.
Baby Genius has been a top performer on the Baby Boost Channel on Xfinity On Demand and Kid Genius will offer a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to age 12) that is aligned with GBI's mission to provide "content with a purpose." The channel will feature GBI original programming, such as Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as other shows from program creators around the world.
GBI's Senior Vice President of Global Distribution Sales Andy Berman, who joined the company last year to oversee the expansion of the international distribution business, will head the Kid Genius operation. Berman brings 30 years of experience in the children's content business having previously formed and spearheaded the worldwide sales efforts for FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment.
"Kids today have numerous entertainment choices, but what will differentiate Kid Genius is the combination of entertainment and enrichment value in every show we program. Plus, there is a limited commercial load of only three minutes per half-hour," said Andy Heyward, CEO of GBI. "With children spending more and more time in front of a screen, our mission is to make that time both fun and intellectually stimulating within a safe environment."
"We have been in the business of creating kids' content for well over 25 years," said Berman. "In addition to our own unique original programming, the new Kid Genius channel will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase new independently produced programs and terrific acquired programming for kids."
Kid Genius will incorporate program code developed with renowned children's media expert, Don Roberts, former Chair of the Communications School at Stanford, that will address sensitive to issues of violence; negative stereotypes; the environment; and inappropriate language for kids to ensure that parents will feel safe that their kids are never being exposed to inappropriate subject matter.