By India McCarty
Ryan And Friends Plus, a video-on-demand service based around popular YouTube channel RYAN’S WORLD, is officially rolling out in the US and Europe.
“Over the past few years, we’ve worked tirelessly to build a trusted, enriching service, packed with shows and stars that truly resonate with kids today,” said David Williams, SVP, Channels at pocket.watch, the media agency that has built RYAN’S WORLD into a global brand.
Williams continued, “Now, with the support of our amazing partners, more and more families here and around the world will have a chance to discover and fall in love with Ryan and Friends Plus.”
The SVOD service is available to stream through the Roku Channel in the US and through Prime Video in the UK and Sweden. It features 5,000 episodes of RYAN’S WORLD content, as well as other kid-friendly content creators.
“The ultimate destination for Ryan fans, featuring a universe of shows and videos from Ryan, his cartoon crew, and his favorite kid-creators from YouTube — All 100% commercial-free and carefully curated for maximum learning and fun!” a description of the channel on pocket.watch’s website reads.
RYAN’S WORLD began as a way for then-3-year-old Ryan Kaji’s parents to keep family in Japan updated on his life in the US. Today, the channel has over 37 million subscribers and 58 billion views and has spawned a Nickelodeon TV show, a toy line and RYAN’S WORLD THE MOVIE: TITAN UNIVERSE ADVENTURE (trailer via pocket.watch’s Instagram).
“We had no idea how big this became,” Ryan’s father, Shion Kaji, told Fast Company. “Our intention was to share Ryan’s daily life to our extended families, and [it] quickly evolved into something bigger.”
Related: RYAN’S WORLD THE MOVIE: TITAN UNIVERSE ADVENTURE
He emphasized that “Ryan’s private life as a normal child is important to us” and compared Ryan’s YouTube videos to other children’s interest in sports or playing an instrument.
“They start early: Many pro athletes start when they’re three or four,” Shion explained. “They didn’t necessarily have a decision, but parents always make a commitment believing that’s the right choice for them, which can change depending on the reaction from the kids.”
Amanda Klecker, senior vice president of marketing and franchise for pocket.watch, praised Ryan’s “charisma” in an interview with Rolling Stone, adding, “He’s engaging. Kids are really just drawn to him.”
Ryan, who is now 12 years old, is navigating how to grow up alongside his still-elementary-school-age fanbase.
“Back when he was the same age group as his fans, most of them [said] stuff [like], ‘Oh, I’m Ryan’s best friend,’” Shion told Rolling Stone. “Now, they’re looking up to Ryan.”
Ryan And Friends Plus is an exciting next step for the child content creator as he navigates growing up in the spotlight.
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