Created by the entertainment studio JibJab, the brand later became part of StoryBots, Inc., an independent production company. StoryBots, Inc., (along with the StoryBots brand) was acquired by Netflix in May 2019 as part of an overall push by the streaming service into more educational and family-oriented content.[5][6]
History
StoryBots launched to the public in the fall of 2012 and has been featured on CNN,[7]The New York Times,[8]CNBC,[9] and other news outlets.[10][11][12][13]Gregg Spiridellis, co-founder and CEO of StoryBots, told CNBC in 2013 that he and his brother have five young children between them and noticed "a massive shift in how kids are consuming media."[9] Spiridellis stated that this shift became the inspiration for StoryBots, with digital content akin to Sesame Street created for a device-centric, connected generation of children.[14]
In May 2019, Netflix announced that it had acquired the StoryBots media franchise and signed co-creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis to an exclusive producing deal. The acquisition was the first of its kind for Netflix and was part of a stated commitment to expand its educational content.[5]
A companion series, StoryBots Super Songs, premiered on October 7, 2016, also on Netflix. While each episode of Ask the StoryBots featured the lead characters answering a child's single question, StoryBots Super Songs focus on broader topics, such as outer space, colors, shapes, and dinosaurs, through music and live-action vignettes with real children.[18] Episodes have also been released on StoryBots' YouTube channel.[19]
Ask the StoryBots also spun off a holiday special, A StoryBots Christmas, which premiered December 1, 2017, on Netflix. Featuring a guest appearance by Ed Asner as Santa Claus, the special received two Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Special Class Animated Program, as well as four additional nominations.
Another spin-off series called StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo[20] premiered on Netflix's YouTube channel on June 26, 2022.[21] The series consisted of 4 seasons, with a total of 26 short form episodes (approximately 4–6 minutes in length), and 4 longform episodes (approximately 22–44 minutes in length).[22] Directed, co-written, and edited by Henry Dalton, this series differed from Ask The StoryBots and StoryBots: Answer Time in being comedy-led rather than centering around a child's question to be answered. Super Silly Stories instead focused on a single StoryBot, Bo, and featured much more interaction from the unscripted live-action children.[23] The series was nominated for two Kidscreen Awards, winning "Best Web/App Series - Branded (6-10 Years)."[24] The series has not become available on the streaming platform Netflix.[25]
Digital library
StoryBots has created a collection of online learning content and activities available at StoryBots' official website. The StoryBots website was nominated for best youth website at the 2018 Webby Awards.
The digital library includes:
Learning Videos (a collection of animated musical videos that explore a wide range of educational topics)
Starring You videos (animated music videos that allow users to add their own name and photo)
Learning Books (educationally-focused ebooks with narration)
Starring You books (ebooks ranging from classic fairy tales to modern adventures, with face and name personalization)
Activity sheets and printable books
Math Skills,[26]Common Core-aligned kindergarten-level math games
StoryBots Classroom
In 2016, StoryBots launched "StoryBots Classroom," a free online resource for educators that includes unlimited access to the entire StoryBots library of digital books, videos, activities, the newly created Common Core State Standards Initiative-aligned Math Games, and classroom management tools including the Backpack and Class Roster.[26] The product is designed for use on laptops, tablets, and interactive white boards.[27] When it was released, StoryBots Classroom was by profiled by Education Week[28] and was named an "S'Cool Tool of the Week" by EdSurge.[29] It has since received the Teachers' Choice Award and the Tech Edvocate Award for best early childhood education app or tool.
In an interview, CEO Gregg Spiridellis cited significant interest in StoryBots by teachers as the impetus to "invest more in building a product custom-tailored for classroom use, with an emphasis on interactive projection boards, classroom tools, and more educational content."[30]
YouTube channel
StoryBots first uploaded five videos to YouTube in June 2012. StoryBots was also nominated for a 2019 Webby Award in the "Video Series & Channels – Animation" category.[31]
In 2018, StoryBots signed with the DHX Media-owned WildBrain to manage its YouTube channel.[32]
In January 2019, the channel rebranded itself as Netflix Jr. to coincide with the buyout of StoryBots by Netflix.[33]
Print books
In addition to e-books available on its website, StoryBots also has several print books published by Random House Children's Books and featuring the StoryBots characters.[34] Titles include:
Since its founding in 2012, StoryBots has won numerous awards for its digital content, including the Teachers' Choice Award from Learning Magazine, Parent's Choice Award, a Family Choice Award, Tech Advocate Award, and an Editor's Choice Award from Children's Technology Review.[41]
