Netflix to remove ‘Cocomelon’ from its platform
Netflix is in the process of making its platform more kid-friendly, and the streaming giant has nevertheless taken a surprise step by declining the renewal of Cocomelon’s license. The popular children’s programme was first made available by the platform in 2020 and was a popular choice among parents for its stimulating visuals and rhyming tunes that kept kids engaged.
Despite its popularity and appeal, Netflix observed a massive decline in its viewership in the past couple of years, post-pandemic. This comes even after the introduction of new Cocomelon content in 2024. The platform recorded an almost 60% decrease in the number of viewers, as well as a considerable decline in traffic that the show was known to attract. Even then, it is one of Netflix’s most highly viewed programmes.
In the aftermath, Cocomelon will find a new home at Disney+, a platform which is already loved for its variety of children’s entertainment. Featuring shows such as Bluey, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which are considered to be the top ten shows most streamed by children, Cocomelon will be a welcome addition to this lineup for the streaming platform.
The show first appeared on YouTube and rose to popularity with more than 190million subscribers and 200billion views. The production company, Moonbug Entertainment, has two other shows on the platform, Cocomelon Lane and Blippi, both of which are spin-offs of the original. These will remain despite the removal of the original show.
About 15% of the total viewership at Netflix consists of kids and family show viewers. Hence, the popularity of these shows is leading them to expand their content. Recently, the streamer announced that it has bought the streaming rights to Sesame Street, another popular children’s programme, for a move that will save the long-running show from cancellation.
Moreover, to actively involve viewers on their platform, across various devices, they are expanding their interactive gaming space and have even introduced a new game based on the universe of Peppa Pig.
Aside from its new acquisition, Cocomelon will soon be seeing a feature film in the cinemas, after a successful tour and live production. The production company announced a release date sometime in 2027.