Netflix is building a StoryBots universe
David Farnor | On 11, May 2019
Step aside, Marvel. There’s a new ambitious universe headed to our screens, as Netflix announced its plans to build and expand its own StoryBots universe.
The streaming giant has acquired the Emmy, Annie, and Parents’ Choice Award-winning children’s property, created by Gregg and Evan Spiridellis. The brothers have entered into an overall deal with Netflix to significantly expand the universe of the characters. The acquisition is a sign of Netflix’s commitment to competing on the kiddie stage, with educational content for its growing subscriber base of families around the world.
Indeed, Ask The StoryBots is a Netflix original animated series that has continued to find new families, with an audience that has grown significantly since it first started streaming in 2016. The series makes innovative use of multiple formats, including 3D, 2D, claymation, stop-motion, and even live action. By engaging guest stars such as Snoop Dogg, Edward Norton, Whoopi Goldberg, and Wanda Sykes, Ask The StoryBots takes kids on a fantastic journey that makes learning fun as they seek answers to burning questions like why the sky is blue and how night happens.
“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,” says vice president of original animation, Melissa Cobb. “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.”
“Together with Netflix, our goal is to make StoryBots the leading educational entertainment brand for connected kids and families globally,” add Evan and Gregg Spiridellis. “We want kids from Argentina to Zambia growing up laughing and learning with StoryBots that feel native to their culture. We see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring something epically good into the world.”
Netflix’s plans for StoryBots original programming include series and short form specials, while also expanding the brand into new areas. They will engage creative teams, subject matter experts, and educational consultants to help ensure that the content they are producing for StoryBots is relevant around the world. Season 3 of Ask The StoryBots, meanwhile, launches on Netflix this autumn.