Google has launched a much anticipated version of its YouTube app aimed at children. Outfit7?s all-new animated series based on the entertainment juggernaut of the same name Talking Tom and Friends, will showcase from 30 April 2015. It will be 52 x 11 minutes series, with new episodes every week. The announcement was made yesterday on the YouTube Official Blog and from the 2015 Kidscreen Summit – the global kid’s content market, taking place in Miami, Florida.
“We’re thrilled to partner with YouTube on their new kids-specific initiative. The new YouTube Kids app is the perfect platform for our brand new series with its cast of characters who were born in the mobile space,” said Outfit7 Limited founder and CEO Samo Login.
“Outfit7 is a proven leader of family entertainment in the digital age. Together with fun, humour and friendship – elements that have contributed to the enormous popularity of the Talking Tom and Friends franchise – the new series has top-notch talent, stellar writing and engaging animation making the animated series an obvious fit for our new kids app,” exulted YouTube Global head of family and learning content Malik Ducard.
Talking Tom and Friends follows the adventure of the cat Tom (voiced by Colin Hanks) and his friends as they try to film their own reality TV show. The premiere episode of this show originally debuted in December 2014 on the series’ YouTube channel and currently boasts over 11 million views.
“Like most parents, I love helping my kids learn more about something they’re interested in, for example, right now, I spend a lot of time on YouTube with my 3-year-old son, who loves watching videos of car washes, super simple songs, and about the universe,” said YouTube Kids Group product manager Shimrit Ben-Yair in a statement.
In addition to Hanks, Talking Tom also stars the voice talents of Tom Kenny (SpongeBob Squarepants), Youtuber Lisa Schwartz (Not Cool), Comedian James Adomian (Comedy Bang Bang) and Maria Bramford (Adventure Tome with Finn & Jake).
“Today, we’re introducing the YouTube Kids app, the first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind. The app makes it safer and easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore, and is available for free on Google Play and the App Store in the US,” added Ben-Yair.
The free app will be available today on Android devices as well.
