UK producer and content provider BBC Studios has extended its partnership with Switch Media, a move that brings the content hub BBC Kids to the fingertips of South African mobile telco Vodacom customers, offering them a wealth of educational and entertaining content for their children.
BBC Kids is an ad-free video destination that delivers educational and entertainment programming for children aged 0-12. In South Africa, it can be downloaded via the Apple App or Google Play stores and is accessible to Vodacom customers via a subscription model.
Vodacom postpaid customers can easily access the service by adding it to their bill, while prepaid customers can do so through their airtime. The BBC Kids content is available through the Streamy platform, which is now also accessible on VodaPay, making it even more convenient for Vodacom customers to enjoy.
BBC Kids debuted in South Africa via Switch Media in September 2022. According to BBC Studios, it has gained over 1.5 million subscribers since its launch.
Among the titles aimed at the younger demographic (ages 0-6) include Hey Duggee, JoJo and Gran Gran, Sarah and Duck, Dog Loves Books, Andy’s Safari Adventures,
Meanwhile, content for the older cohort (ages 7-12) includes Junior Bake-off, Mi High, The Sarah Adventures, Jamie Johnson, Fierce Earth and Super Human Challenge.
Pierre Cloete, commercial director at BBC Studios in Africa, said: “I’m thrilled to witness the rapid growth of BBC Kids in South Africa, allowing us to extend our award-winning kids’ content to an even wider audience. We take immense pride in our kids’ proposition, which is celebrated by the industry and parents and cherished by the children themselves. It’s not just about the accolades; it’s about the trust parents place in us as a safe and enjoyable space for their children’s fun and development time”.
Mark Johns, CEO of Switch Media, added, “Switch Media is delighted to add Vodacom to the BBC Kids family, bringing safe, ad-free education and entertainment to even more families across South Africa. Built using our award-winning MediaHQ solution, the BBC Kids app features nearly 300 hours of content, a clean, easy-to-navigate interface, and program recommendations.”
