StoryBots

StoryBots launched to the public in the summer 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 had 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]

The StoryBots franchise's original TV series Ask the StoryBots premiered on Netflix on August 12, 2016. The show follows the StoryBots characters Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop, and Bo (a.k.a. "Answer Team 341B"), and stars Judy Greer. Answer Team 341B goes on adventures into the human world to help answer kids' biggest questions. The first season featured guest appearances from Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, " Weird Al" Yankovic, Kevin Smith, Garfunkel and Oates, Tim Meadows, and Chris Parnell. Ask the StoryBots received critical acclaim for its educational quality and entertainment value for both parents and children.^[15][16] A second season premiered on Netflix on August 24, 2018, and featured guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Edward Norton, Christina Applegate, Wanda Sykes, David Cross, Ali Wong, Kristen Schaal, and David Koechner.

A third season was released worldwide on Netflix on August 2, 2019, and includes guest appearances from John Legend, Zoe Saldaña, Jennifer Garner, Jason Sudeikis, Alyssa Milano, Tony Hale, Maria Bamford, and Reggie Watts.^[5] A trailer for the new episodes was released on YouTube ahead of the season launch.^[17] All three season's music soundtracks are available on most music streaming services.

StoryBots created a collection of online learning content and activities that were available at StoryBots' official website before its acquisition by Netflix in 2019.^[26] However, the digital library is still available on YouTube. 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,^[27] Common Core-aligned kindergarten-level math games

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 then-newly created Common Core State Standards Initiative-aligned Math Games, and classroom management tools including the Backpack and Class Roster.^[27] The product was designed for use on laptops, tablets, and interactive white boards.^[28] When it was released, StoryBots Classroom was by profiled by Education Week^[29] and was named an "S'Cool Tool of the Week" by EdSurge.^[30] 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."^[31]

After Netflix’s acquisition of the brand, StoryBots Classroom was made unavailable.^[26]

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.^[32]

In 2018, StoryBots signed with the DHX Media-owned WildBrain to manage its YouTube channel.^[33]

In January 2019, the channel rebranded itself as Netflix Jr. to coincide with the buyout of StoryBots by Netflix.^[26]

In addition to ebooks available on its website, StoryBots also has several print books featuring its characters that are published by Random House Children's Books.^[34] Titles include:

• The Amazing Planet Earth (Step Into Reading)^[35]
• Cars Are Cool^[36]
• The Moon's Time To Shine (Step Into Reading)^[37]
• StoryBots ABC Jamboree^[38]
• Trucks Are Terrific^[39]
• Tyrannosaurus Rex (Step Into Reading)^[40]

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, Family Choice Award, Tech Advocate Award, and an Editor's Choice Award from Children's Technology Review.^[41]

For its television work, including Ask the StoryBots, A StoryBots Christmas, StoryBots: Answer Time, StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo, and StoryBots Super Songs, StoryBots has won nine Daytime Emmy Awards, an Annie Award, and a Kidscreen Award. It has received recognition from the British Academy Children's Awards and Peabody Awards.