DHX Media unveils online kids net WildBrain

Canada’s DHX Media has officially moved its online kids network WildBrain out of incubation following a significant growth period led by platform MD John Robson.

The London, UK-based DHX subsidiary, also known as Wild Brain Family International Limited, began as an incubator project in 2012 after the company acquired Wildbrain Entertainment, the L.A.-based studio behind Yo Gabba Gabba!, in 2010.

Offering original DHX and third-party video content for kids ages two to 10, WildBrain is designed to connect content owners to advertisers on leading online platforms like YouTube and Dailymotion.

According to DHX, the network’s revenue, views and watch times on a year-over-year basis for the month of March 2016 grew by 57%, 114% and 84%, respectively.

WildBrain generates roughly four billion minutes of watch time per month for content including Mattel’s Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Little People and Polly Pocket; Iconix’s Strawberry Shortcake; Turner’s Lazy Town; 9Story’s Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts and Arthur; and DHX’s Caillou, Rosie and Jim and Brum.

Original animated and live-action shorts, toy unboxing videos, book readings, preschool educational videos and nursery rhymes are also featured on the network, along with videos from Play-Doh, Minecraft and Hachette.

WildBrain’s YouTube network currently offers more than 15,000 videos across more than 350 kids entertainment channels.

The launch follows a 27% revenue increase for DHX Media for Q2 2016, which was primarily driven by a rise in digital distribution sales.