Look out, PBS and Nickelodeon!
Amazon says it has ordered up pilots for five more kids shows early next year, giving viewers a chance to help decide which new children’s programs get made into full series. The move follows the debut this year of Amazon’s first three children’s shows, new episodes of which will be released in September and October.
Whereas Netflix has made its mark with the dark political drama House of Cards and the comedy-drama Orange is the New Black, Amazon has taken on a decidedly lighter tone with its kids series and the political comedy Alpha House, starring John Goodman. The shows are available at no extra charge to Amazon Prime subscribers.
The new Amazon pilots, announced this morning, are:
- Buddy: Tech Detective, an animated show for preschool kids written by Jennifer Hamburg of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why and Hery Hugglemonster;
- The Stinky & Dirty Show, also for preschoolers, based on the “I Stink!” book series;
- Niko and the Sword of Light, for ages 6 to 11, based on the motion graphic comic by Imaginism Studios;
- Table 58, a live-action show about six “mismatched middle schoolers” who “form a tenuous partnership in order to help each other get back to their rightful place in the cafeteria.”
- Just Add Magic, for ages 6 to 11, based on Cindy Callaghan’s young adult book of the same name.
Amazon says new episodes of its existing kids series Tumble Leaf will debut on Sept. 5. New episodes of Creative Galaxy are set for Oct. 3 and Annendroids will release its new slate on Oct. 30.
