Score one for Amazon in the race to own the competitive children’s video streaming market.
Amazon announced this morning it has signed a multi-year exclusive deal to stream many PBS Kids programs through its Amazon Prime Video service.
Shows including “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Arthur,” “Wild Kratts,” “Odd Squad” and “Dinosaur Train” will be removed from competing streaming services like Netflix and Hulu starting July 1. Others PBS titles like “Super Why” and “Thomas and Friends” are not part of the deal and will continue to be available on other streaming services.
Episodes will first air on PBS stations and be available on its website and video on demand app and then later appear on Amazon Prime Video.
Streaming services are vying for more subscriptions in any way possible, and children’s TV represents one of the most competitive areas. Each platform has numerous kids’ shows, and Sesame Street, one of the most iconic children’s programs, last year announced a five-year deal for first-run episodes on HBO.