Netflix is investing in family content, especially animation, as it competes with Disney+.
The streamer just added to its appeal with a sweet new deal: All future episodes of “Pokémon” will stream exclusively on its platform in the U.S. The first 12 episodes of “Pokémon Journeys: The Series,” the 23rd season of the anime hit will begin on June 12, reports The Verge.
Each quarter, new “Pokémon” episodes will stream. And recently, Netflix started streaming “Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution.”
This is a huge get, as “Pokémon” is one of the most popular kids’ franchises worldwide.
According to Melissa Cobb, vice president of kids’ and family content for Netflix, more than 60 percent of Netflix users engage with kids’ and family content. So valued is the demographic, ViacomCBS licensed a number of its titles, including parts of “Spongebob Squarepants” to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
But Netflix has a built-in advance: The streamer is often a go-to choice when millions search for entertainment. In fact, Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli has awarded Netflix international rights to its library.
Separately, anime streamer Crunchyroll, owned by WarnerMedia, is producing shows for the upcoming HBO Max. The anime brand announced eight new series in late February that span the adventure-fantasy-historical fiction genres.