YouTube is reportedly developing a site aimed at kids under 10 years old, with age-appropriate content and free of videos and user comments that parents would prefer their children not be exposed to. The site would be much more expansive than the Google (Nasdaq: GOOG)-owned provider's current "safety" filter.
While YouTube didn't confirm it was developing such a site, TheNextWeb reported that, according to unnamed sources cited by The Information, the online video site has been gauging "the interest of video producers willing to create child-oriented content."
The rumors are speculative at this point, but a kids' network would not be too far-fetched. Childrens' programming has become a high priority for major OTT providers: Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) created a kids-only section of its streaming video service as well as a family-friendly section of its website, and developed the original series TurboFAST. In 2012, Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) announced it would produce five original childrens' programs. Kids' sports network The Whistle already has its own YouTube channel, but in December announced it would launch original programming via the Xbox 360 console.
For more:
- TheNextWeb has this story
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