The kids content industry faces significant financing challenges as major streaming platforms have substantially decreased their orders for original programming. Analysis presented at MipJunior, the children’s and family content conference preceding the larger Mipcom gathering in Cannes, highlighted the sharp decline in streamer commissions over recent years.
Streaming video-on-demand services reduced first-run children’s orders from 196 over a 12-month period ending in the first half of 2022 to 88 orders during the equivalent period ending in the first half of 2026. While this represents a 22% increase from 2025 levels, the current figures reflect a substantially diminished commitment compared to historical norms. The streaming sector collectively provides 240,000 hours of annual content globally, with Netflix alone accounting for 4,000 hours, yet alternative platforms have expanded dramatically, including ad-supported video services offering 140,000 hours annually and YouTube hosting substantial youth-focused programming.
Multiple factors have contributed to this shift. Streaming services have increasingly prioritized established content over newly commissioned programs, as viewer engagement concentrates on long-tail catalog titles rather than first-run hits. Amazon Prime Video reduced its share of new content from 22 percent to 11 percent between July 2022 and July 2024, while Disney decreased from 23 percent to 13 percent over the same period. Additionally, younger audiences demonstrate different consumption preferences, with Generation Alpha showing greater interest in video games and gaming applications than streaming platforms for various entertainment needs.
Public service broadcasters have emerged as the primary source of children’s content commissions, accounting for 371 orders during the 12-month period ending in the first half of 2026. However, these organizations face their own constraints, with revenues estimated at $53 billion in 2026, significantly lower than the $174 billion generated by subscription services and the $292 billion from other online advertising. Budget pressures and inflation present ongoing challenges for public broadcasters’ ability to sustain children’s programming investment.
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