Netflix buys StoryBots, signs up creators

StoryBots was adapted as animated series Ask the StoryBots for Netflix

Netflix has acquired children’s property StoryBots for an undisclosed fee, with co-creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis signing an overall deal with the global streamer.

Netflix said the acquisition is a sign of its “commitment to bring educational content to its growing member base of kids and families around the world.”

StoryBots launched online in 2012 and went on to become the basis of a Netflix animated series, Ask the StoryBots, season three of which launches this fall.

Netflix and the Spiridellis brothers will now produce more StoryBots original programming – covering series and shortform specials – while also expanding the brand into new areas.

It marks the first time Netflix, which moved into mergers and acquisitions with its purchase of comic book publishing house Millarworld in 2017, has acquired a children’s brand.

“Ask The StoryBots has a proven track record of synthesising complex subjects into bite-sized lessons that are funny and entertaining for young kids and satisfying for parents,” said VP of original animation Melissa Cobb.

“Together with Netflix, our goal is to make StoryBots the leading educational entertainment brand for connected kids and families globally,” said StoryBots co-founders 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.”