If you’re looking for family-friendly programming, you might assume Disney+ is your best choice. But according to the Parents Television and Media Council, families might want to look elsewhere for a safe harbor. The group looked across the streaming landscape to catalog which platforms offered the most TV-G or TV-PG original series.
Interestingly, Apple TV+ was rated the best service for family programming. It offers the largest number of TV-G-rated original programs. Twenty-six out of 139 programs (19%) were rated for general audiences. Only 6% were rated PG. Half (50%) of all original content on AppleTV+ is rated TV-MA.
The worst platform for family-friendly content is Prime Video. Less than 3% of original content is rated TV-G or TV-PG. Prime Video’s content spend has been seemingly erratic, with major funding going to Thursday Night Football, and effects-heavy epics like “The Wheel of Time” or “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” The platform’s breakout hits like “The Boys” and “Invincible” feature gore, profanity, and nudity — absolutely not acceptable for kids. Prime Video doesn’t offer much original content for children, preferring to license most of its library from outside sources.
After Apple TV+, the Council ranks Peacock as the second-best family streamer. Peacock’s lineup of original content is 20% PG and 8% TV-G. Thirty-seven percent of original series on Peacock are rated TV-MA. You’ll find family programming like “The Way Home,” “The Treebees,” “Take Note,” “Dragons: The Nine Realms,” and “Babble Bop!” Upcoming shows include “Caillou,” “Press Start!” and “Tea Town Teddy Bears.”
On Hulu, 69% of original programs were rated TV-MA. Only 6% were rated TV-PG and only one was rated TV-G, meaning that for every one family-suitable program on Hulu, there are more than 10 that are for adult audiences only. That might make sense, since Hulu’s parent company sends all its kid-friendly programming to Disney+.
Just over six out of 10 original programs on Max are rated TV-MA. Only 14% are rated TV-PG, and 1% are rated TV-G. Seven out of 20 of the PG-rated original programs on MAX were reality competitions. Max pulled back severely on children’s programming as the platform looked to save money.
Netflix’s originals are rated TV-MA at the same percentage as Max, 6% are TV-PG, and less than 1% are rated TV-G, meaning again that adult-only programs outnumber family-suitable programs 10:1.
On Paramount+, 53% of original series are rated TV-MA; 9% are rated TV-PG; and 1% are rated TV-G.
One major caveat here is the focus on original content. A platform like Paramount+ is loaded with kid-friendly content because of the Nickelodeon library. “PAW Patrol” and “Blue’s Clues” wouldn’t count as original, since they originate on the linear channel.
Even Prime Video has a huge catalog of family-friendly titles. The bigger issue is how much low-quality content exists in the kids’ library. Some of it is downright unwatchable, and allowing your child to navigate only assures that the most exciting thumbnail will guide the choice. There’s also the issue that Prime Video doesn’t hide content you need to purchase. Although kids’ profiles can’t buy additional programming, it still shows up as children browse - a silly UI choice that Prime Video should fix.
Apple TV+ offers new and classic stories featuring the Peanuts and Fraggles characters.
This report does shine a spotlight on the great investment Apple TV+ is making for families. Since the platform rarely licenses content from other studios, almost the entire library is original. There are plenty of high-quality children’s shows like “Frog and Toad,” “Jane,” “Eva the Owlet,” “Shape Island,” “Pinecone & Pony,” “Doug Unplugs,” “Interrupting Chicken,” “Duck & Goose,” and “Helpsters.”
If you’re tired of “PJ Masks” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” it may be worth looking at Apple TV+. Its investment in children seems to be paying off.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a subscription video streaming service for $9.99 a month that includes high-quality original shows and movies including Best Picture winner “CODA,” popular sitcom “Ted Lasso,” and dramas like “The Morning Show” and “Severance.” Apple TV+ is also home to MLB baseball games on Friday nights and MLS Season Pass.