Oli Hyatt, co-founder and joint MD of Blue Zoo, discusses the growth in demand he expects to see for high-quality kids’ programming amid the rise of AI and user-generated ‘slop.’
Blue Zoo co-founder and joint MD Oli Hyatt
What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for kids’ TV in 2026?
The challenge is simple: funding. Kids are everywhere, money isn’t. Their attention is split across TV, streamers, YouTube, socials and games, while budgets are shrinking and AI/UGC slop is exploding. The opportunity is to be a trusted beacon in that chaos – a brand families actively seek out because they know you’re ‘the good stuff.’ You don’t need to be everywhere equally. Have one or two ‘home’ environments you really control. Growth matters, but guardrails – safety, values, data ethics – have to come first, or the brand will pay later.
What programming trends do you expect to see this year?
More micro-fads that flare up and vanish in a week. Content designed as memorable moments/stunts first, shows second. Against that, I think you’ll see a counter-trend: calmer, more intentional shows that sell themselves as the antidote to doom-scrolling.
How will demand for content evolve in 2026?
We’re seeing a split. On one side: endless cheap, hyper-stimulating ‘brain rot.’ Demand seems built on quantity, not quality. On the other: parents getting worried and actively hunting for genuinely positive, educational, high-quality content. That ‘good stuff’ bucket is where I expect real, premium demand to grow.
How will the economic crisis change commissioning/buying in the kids’ sector this year?
Kids’ has always felt like an economic crisis. The difference now is YouTube has taken the eyeballs without replacing the cash. So commissioning will stay risk-averse, IP-led and copro heavy – and indies will have to be ruthless about efficiency, use data effectively and multi-partner finance. We really hope PSBs’ commitment to content can counter the loss of money from other sources.
What impact will AI continue to have on the kids’ sector?
At Blue Zoo we see AI as a support tool for artists and educators, not a replacement. The bigger issue is the flood of auto-generated content on open platforms. If we’re not careful, AI slop will drown out quality, damage trust with parents and reduce returns for everyone.
How will the growth of the creator economy affect the kids’ industry?
We call it an ‘economy,’ but most creators don’t make a living from it. The upside is in small, nimble teams who think like creators but operate with professional craft and safeguarding. The risk is that truly good, thoughtful kids’ content never surfaces in the noise – it becomes an exercise in marketing.
What consequences might the continuing growth of YouTube have?
YouTube has taken the kids, but not funded their shows. The old broadcast economics are disappearing faster than new models are arriving. Unless ‘finding and funding’ get rebalanced, we’ll see fewer ambitious, premium projects and more race-to-the-bottom volume.
How might the rise of social gaming platforms like Roblox impact the kids’ sector?
Social gaming is already where kids live; Roblox is just the most visible version. Good brands need to show up there to create higher-quality, safer pockets in those worlds. It’s a new kind of storytelling – one-third show, one-third game, one-third playground – and it’s evolving every month.
How will Blue Zoo be changing its strategy to adapt in 2026?
We’ll keep innovating in both technique and platform, but always from a creator-led, audience-first mindset. Use data to iterate fast, use tools (including AI) to empower artists, and build IP as ecosystems, not just TV shows. The core test for us is: does this genuinely help kids learn and grow? If not, why are we making it?
